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Made with tart cherry juice and elderflower liqueur, this bright Cherry Blossom Cocktail with Gin is the perfect sip for Valentine's Day.
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Cherry blossom season comes early with this Cherry Blossom Cocktail Recipe! The cherry trees don't bloom in Michigan until April, but by February I'm ready for spring and what better time to drink a delicious red cocktail than Valentine's Day!?
I'm skipping the sake and maraschino liqueur in favor of gin and elderflower liqueur. Both are spirits that are easier for me to find at my local liquor store, and therefore more likely that I'll have in my home bar supply.
We're getting the fresh cherry flavor from tart cherry juice, instead of cherry liqueur or cherry brand, for the same reason! It's easy to find in your local grocery store.
What's in a Cherry Blossom Cocktail
- Tart cherry juice - Tart cherry juice gives this cocktail a fresh cherry flavor and keeps it from tasting even slightly medicinal.
- Gin - I really love a London Dry Gin (like Beefeater) for this recipe because it adds flavor while still letting the cherry and elderflower shine through. Don’t love gin? Swap it out for plain vodka in this recipe.
- Elderflower liqueur - Sweet and slightly floral, this liqueur adds a uniquely floral flavor to this cherry cocktail.
- Simple syrup - Traditional simple syrup is easy to make it home with only 2 ingredients. Head over to my simple syrup page for all the details!
- Fresh lemon - Fresh citrus is important to the flavor of a cocktail, so take the time to squeeze fresh fruit. You’ll need approximately half of a fresh lemon per cocktail.
- Decorating sugar (garnish) - Totally optional but a pink sugar rim is super fun with this drink, especially if you’re using it to celebrate Valentine's Day.
- Maraschino cherries (garnish) - There are two different in these photos for color variation, but my favorites do not come in a bright red color. Pick up a jar of Luxardo Maraschino Cherries for this cocktail.
How to Make a Cherry Gin Cocktail
Run a slice of lemon along the top of your glass.
Dip the rim in some decorative sugar that has been placed in a shallow dish. Set the glass aside.
Combine the tart cherry juice, gin, simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes.
Shake well.
Strain into a martini glass or coupe glass.
Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Enjoy!
Don't Miss These Gin Cocktails
Gin is the main spirit in so many delicious cocktails. Try it in a gimlet cocktail, like this Basil Gimlet or Rhubarb Gimlet. Or shake up a refreshing Lavender Blueberry Cocktail or Lavender Bee's Knees, both drinks featuring gin!
Garnishing a Cherry Blossom Cocktail
While the sugared rim certainly counts as drink garnish, I love adding on to this cocktail. A Luxardo maraschino cherry is my favorite choice - place on a cocktail pick or just drop one into the bottom of your glass.
A lemon twist or thin slice of dehydrated lemon would also make for nice garnish on this Cherry Blossom Cocktail. You could also use an edible flower or two.
Looking for More Red and Pink Cocktails for Valentine's Day?
Try my Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini with fresh lemon and homemade strawberry syrup. Or shake up a classic Cosmopolitan made with cranberry juice and vodka.
Want something non-alcoholic? This Strawberry Mojito Mocktail is the ideal red color for your next Galentine's Party.
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Cherry Blossom Cocktail with Gin
Ingredients
- 2 oz tart cherry juice
- 1.5 oz gin
- 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur
- 1.5 oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Decorating sugar garnish
- Maraschino cherries garnish
Instructions
- Run a slice of lemon along the top of your glass.
- Dip the rim in some decorative sugar that has been placed in a shallow dish. Set the glass aside.
- Combine the tart cherry juice, gin, simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a martini glass or coupe glass.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Enjoy!
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