A generational favorite and a favorite of George Washington!
Great neat, on the rocks, or with your favorite carbonated mixer.
There are many variations of Cherry Bounce, this is ours.
What you will need:
2 pounds of fresh Traverse City Black Sweet Cherries (usually available in July)
2 cups of Pioneer Sugar (Made in Michigan from sugar beets)
1 liter of your favorite Bourbon (bourbon and cherries go great together)
4 1-quart Ball Mason Jars with new lids and rings.
Some people like to add spices like cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg, to name a few.
We like ours plain with just 3 ingredients.
Remove the stems from the cherries (if the pits are of a concern remove those as well)
Add 1/2 cup of sugar to each jar
Add 1/4 of the cherries to each jar (about a cup per jar)
Use a fillet knife to put a slice in each cherry, it's ok if you don't get every single one. (if they are pitted, skip this step)
Add about a cup of bourbon to each jar
Seal the jars with the lids and rings so you don't get any leaks.
Shake vigorously to mix ingredients.
Now just put them on top of the refrigerator.
Shake every day or so until the sugar is dissolved.
Once the sugar is dissolved just let them set undisturbed. (30 days minimum)
They will be ready for Thanksgiving and the Holiday season.
When they are ready, shake well then strain (I use a coffee filter) and store in the refrigerator.
Time to enjoy!
Notes:
Some prefer sour or lite cherries over sweet.
You can adjust the sugar to your own preference.
Some people use no sugar at all.
I prefer bourbon, others prefer Rum, vodka, tequila, or gin
I like to use fresh cherries but frozen will work.