Preparation
1. House Cherry–Lemon Syrup
This is what makes the drink unique and easy to batch on a busy night.
Ingredients (yields ~8 oz / 240 ml):
1 cup (200 g) white sugar
Zest of 2 fresh lemons (no white pith)
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup (80 g) pitted dark cherries (fresh or frozen)
Method:
1. In a small bowl, rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers until it smells very fragrant.
2. Add the cherries and gently mash them into the sugar with a muddler or spoon.
3. Add lemon juice, stir well, and let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, stirring a few times.
4. Strain through a fine strainer, pressing lightly on the solids.
5. Bottle and refrigerate. Use within 1 week.
2. Single-Serve Cocktail
Ingredients (1 drink):
1.75 oz (52 ml) vodka (unflavored or lemon vodka)
0.75 oz (22 ml) House Cherry–Lemon Syrup
0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
0.25 oz (7 ml) maraschino liqueur or cherry liqueur (for depth, not sweetness)
1 barspoon maraschino cherry juice (optional, for color)
Garnish & Rim:
2 tsp white sugar
Small pinch of finely grated lemon zest (mix with sugar for a “lemon sugar” rim)
1 skewered cherry + a thin lemon wheel or twist
Method:
1. Chill a coupe or martini glass.
2. Mix the lemon-zest sugar on a plate. Run a lemon wedge around half the rim and dip that half into the sugar.
3. Add all liquid ingredients to a shaker with plenty of ice.
4. Shake hard for 10–12 seconds until very cold.
5. Double-strain into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a cherry and lemon wheel/twist on the rim.
3. Quick Batch Formula (for 8 drinks)
Build in a bottle and shake each drink to order with ice.
14 oz vodka
6 oz House Cherry–Lemon Syrup
4 oz fresh lemon juice
2 oz maraschino or cherry liqueur
Stir, chill, and keep refrigerated. Use 3 oz of this mix per cocktail, shaken with ice and strained.