This Cherry Bounce Recipe is a sweet, flavored homemade liqueur made by soaking pitted cherries with sugar and whiskey for at least three months. This process creates a flavorful cherry-infused cordial that can be enjoyed over ice or used in cocktails! For another homemade cocktail, check out my Apple Pie Moonshine, too! Cheers!
What Is Cherry Bounce?
Cherry bounce is a cherry liqueur made by infusing cherries with sugar and a spirit like a whiskey, bourbon, rum, brandy, or sometimes vodka. In this recipe, I used whiskey. It needs the time to steep to give it that true cherry flavor. It is considered a favorite of George Washington and popular in colonial times. Hey, if the cherry bounce has that amount of staying power, it must be good, right?!? And, with just three ingredients and some patience, you can have it at your fingertips, or should I say lips?
Cherry Bounce Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Cherries: Sweet, tart, or even sour cherries work in this cherry bounce recipe. But, depending on the type of cherries used, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar added. If using frozen cherries, ensure they are fully thawed before using.
Sugar: Granulated sugar serves a few purposes in cherry bounce. It adds sweetness, brings out more flavor from the cherries, and acts as a preservative.
Whiskey: The spirit I chose to use is a good quality whiskey that I like to drink on its own. Other popular choices for cherry bounce are brandy, bourbon, rum, or vodka.
How To Use Cherry Bounce
Cherry Bounce can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some of my favorite ways to use the liqueur:
- Sipped neat (as-is) in your favorite glass (a tasty nightcap)
- On the rocks (poured over ice)
- In cocktails like a Cherry Old-Fashioned or Cherry Manhattan
- Mix with soda water sparkling water, tonic, lemon-lime soda, or any beverage that needs a cherry twist
- Drizzled over desserts like ice cream, cheesecake, or chocolate cake
Don’t forget about the cherries themselves. They can be enjoyed as they are for an adult treat, used as a garnish for cocktails, or spooned over ice cream for a boozy dessert!
How To Store Cherry Bounce
Once the cherry bounce is mixed and stored in a jar with a secure lid, keep it in a cool, dark place for at least three months. Give a shake now and then, too. This gives it time for the flavors to develop. It also makes it a smoother drink, mellowing out the harsher taste of the alcohol. After it has been opened, you can continue to store it at room temperature as long as the cherries are still submerged in the alcohol.
Cherry Bounce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (308 g) sweet or tart cherries, pitted
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 2-3 cups good quality whiskey
Instructions
- In a quart jar, combine pitted cherries and granulated sugar. Top with whiskey, leaving about 1 inch of headspace. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and shake well.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 3 months, allowing it to mature for up to 1 year. Shake the jar occasionally during this period to help dissolve the sugar and enhance flavor development.
- To serve, strain cherries out. Then, pour over ice or in your favorite cocktail.
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Don’t over think this recipe folks,…. it’s simply sugar cherries and booze. It doesn’t need to be processed like canning vegetables. You don’t need to vacuum seal it. Personally,…. I have a Montmorency tart cherry tree in my yard. I use a institutional sized pickle jar roughly 2 gals capacity. I fill it 1/2 way with cherries,… I do not pit them,… I add 4 cups of white sugar,…. and a 1.75 of your favorite liquor. I prefer whiskey. I buy the cheap whiskey,… no need to use the good stuff. I keep mine on the floor of my food pantry. I’ll shake it up on occasion to solubilize the sugar,… maybe once or twice a month. After 6 months it should be ready for sipping. I like to let it go for 1 year,… it’s superb. And we eat the cherries,….. just make sure everyone is aware there are pits. The cherries absorb the alcohol an you will get a buzz off of them. And they taste great. Enjoy !!