Dark Fruit Deliciousness for the Holidays
December is a month full of gatherings and parties, and while not a requirement, drinks are often served. As with most things in life it is the finer details that really exemplify the quality and care that is put into any undertaking.
When talking drinks that often means proper proportions and garnishes. When fashioning some classic cocktails cherries are used for garnish, and rather than simply pulling a cherry from a store bought jar this holiday season why not create your own brandied cherries to take your hosting game up a level.
Brandied cherries are a delicious treat served over ice cream, as a garnish in a drink or all on their own and there are many variations on how to make them. Spices such as star anise, cinnamon and cloves all can add to this treat but today we are focusing on the basics of the dish. Depending on the amount of time you have on your hands to wait there are two different ways to make these delicious treats.
Ingredients:
Pitted Cherries
White Sugar
Brandy
Optional:
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 pod of star anise
Take the pitted cherries, and for us, cram as many as will fit into a 500 ml mason jar, and use as many mason jars as needed. Next add the white sugar to ΒΌ full after tapping the sugar down to the bottom of the jar. Top the jar off with a decent brandy (not the overly expensive stuff) until the cherries are covered. Seal and leave in the fridge for at least a week.
A speedier way to do things would be to heat the brandy on the stove, add the sugar to the brandy along with any of the optional spices you desire and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then add the cherries and simmer for half an hour with a tight fitting lid. Turn off the heat until it cools and simply transfer all ingredients into mason jars or other storage containers.
This transitional treat is just as at home in the bar as it is in the kitchen, and this time of year any short cut or multi use item deserves special attention. In the coming weeks we will be looking into several ways to use this very recipe for drinks, desserts and even a main course, so come back, keep up and watch the deliciousness of brandied cherries unfold in a number of ways!