I think this recipe’s title needs some explanation.
I am still working on only print recipes for inspiration, i.e. I am referring to my horde of cookbooks and my vast collection of magazines. Not only do I subscribe to a number of publications (mostly foodie ones), but I also have quite a few Gourmet magazines around (like a whole dresser full) that I refuse to get rid of. Some date back to the 90s.
I had seen a lot of cherry-inspired cocktails in the May, June, and July editions of some of my favorites. After all the work on our pergola, The Hubs sometimes needs a cocktail to “admire the job site.”
This recipe is based on Sour-Cherry Gin Smash from the June 2013 Country Living. I didn’t have sour cherries, but I did have fourteen pounds of dark sweet cherries in the freezer. (Yes, it is another blueberry type saga.)
Sorry, I am long-winded; I promised you an explanation for this recipe’s name. After making a cocktail for The Hubs, I asked him what he would call it. He took a sip and asked, “Did you muddle the cherries?”
“Yes, I did.”
“You finally used the muddler you bought at Williams-Sonoma how many years ago?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then, I crown this cocktail ‘The Muddler.’”
(I think at this point I realized the tool was called a pestle, but that seemed like a moot point to make.)
The Muddler or Dark Sweet Cherry Smash (makes one cocktail)
1 slice lime (plus one more for garnish)
6 frozen dark sweet cherries
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
2 oz. Tanqueray Rangpur gin
crushed ice
splash of ginger ale
Use the PESTLE to muddle the lime slice and frozen cherries.
Place lime slice and cherries in a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add lime juice, gin and ice. Shake and pour into cocktail glasses. (Do not strain.) Add ginger ale to fill glass. Garnish with a very thin lime slice. Serve.
I have also made this for him using a good Kentucky bourbon. 🙂
This is easy to make into a mocktail.
The Virgin Muddler 🙂
1 slice lime (plus one more for garnish)
6 frozen dark sweet cherries
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
crushed ice
more than a splash of ginger ale
Place lime slice and cherries in a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add lime juice and ice. Shake and pour into cocktail glasses. (Do not strain.) Add ginger ale to fill glass. Garnish with a very thin lime slice. Serve.
