Alberti’s Drunken Cherries

Patience is a virtue…

Cherry season is short and sweet but you can preserve the delicious summer flavor for a year-round treat by making your own cherry liquor. This is something that always comes out when we visit family in Italia, every Nonnas house will be sure to have one hiding away in the cupboard. This liqueur is usually stored for years and develops great depth of flavor.

You can serve this liquor as an aperitif or as an after dinner digestivo. It is also great on fruit based ice-cream, such as lemon or strawberry, or on a simple yogurt or vanilla one.

Ingredients

• 1 kg cherries
• 1 litre 100% alcohol (if you cannot find it try making it with vodka 50% abv)
• 350 g sugar

Method

Wash the cherries and remove any leaves and place in a large jar. Cover cherries with sugar and seal in container to age.

Shake fruit mixture several times during the first two weeks.

After two weeks it’s time to add the alcohol, once added, place mixture in a cool, dark area and set aside to macerate for three months or longer. The longer the better.

Serve the cherries as they are, in little glasses with some of the liqueur.