The Cherry Julep is a refreshing and pretty gin summer cocktail made with Cherry Brandy, grenadine and lemon juice that’s perfect for cooling down in the heat. Serve over crushed ice and sip slowly!
You will also love my Bramble Cocktail
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Are you looking for a refreshing summer gin cocktail that’s NOT a gin and tonic? You have come to the right place! The Cherry Julep has ‘Summer Cocktail’ stamped all over it.
It’s a great cocktail for using up any Cherry Brandy or Sloe Gin that might be lurking in the back of your drinks cabinet begging to be used. The Cherry Bomb is the OTHER Cherry Brandy Cocktail you must make 😉
Although it’s called a Cherry Julep, it doesn’t contain any bourbon or mint that characterises the classic Juleps. Instead it is a gin-based cocktail that turns the most beautiful pink-ruby colour with the addition of Cherry Brandy and grenadine.
Some versions also include Sloe Gin which you can certainly add if you like. I find it makes the drink dangerously potent and usually leave it out!
What is Cherry Brandy?
Cherry Brandy is a sweet liqueur made with macerated cherries and brandy or vodka. The term can be confusing as not all cherry brandies are made with brandy – cherry liqueur is probably a better description.
Cherry Brandy is NOT the same as German Kirsch (famously used in Black Forest Cake) which is a clear unsweetened brandy distilled from the fermented juice of morello cherries.
Can I make my own Cherry Brandy?
Making homemade cherry brandy is actually pretty easy! You will need pitted black cherries – conveniently available frozen in many supermarkets.
Defrost the cherries and put in a large clean jar together with sugar and half a cinnamon stick. Top with vodka or brandy and seal the jar.
Shake the jar and put in a cool dark place for a week, turning the jar over daily. Strain the liquid into a clean bottle or jar and keep in the fridge to use in cocktails (see recipe notes)
How to make a Cherry Julep
STEP 1. Put the ice in a cocktail shaker and add the lemon juice, grenadine, sugar syrup, gin and cherry brandy.
STEP 2. Shake vigorously until a frost forms on the cocktail shaker.
STEP 3. Strain into two highball or rocks glasses filled with crushed ice. Top up with soda water (this is optional) and stir.
STEP 4. Decorate with lemon zest or cherries. Add a paper straw and get sipping!
Have you made my Cherry Julep?
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Cherry Julep cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 lemon juice only
- 2 tsp grenadine
- 2 tsp simple syrup
- 100 ml | 3.5 fl ounces gin
- 50 ml | 1.8 fl ounces cherry brandy
- Soda water to top up optional
- Lemon strips to decorate or mint leaves to garnish
- 2 cherries to garnish
- Crushed ice to serve
Instructions
- Put the ice in a cocktail shaker and add the lemon juice, grenadine, sugar syrup, gin and cherry brandy.
- Shake vigorously until a frost forms on the cocktail shaker.
- Strain into two highball or rocks glasses filled with crushed ice. Top up with soda water if desired and stir.
- Garnish with lemon strip or fresh cherries, add a paper straws and serve.
Notes
Add 200g (1 cup) sugar and half a cinnamon stick. Gently muddle the cherries with end of a clean rolling pin then top with 1 bottle of vodka (750ml) or a mix of vodka and brandy if you prefer. Seal the jar and shake. Put in a cool dark place for a week, turning over daily.
Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a clean bottle and store in the fridge to use in cocktails. Discard the cherries.
Tracy K Nixon says
This sounds so refreshing!
Carolin says
This looks like my perfect cocktail. I love cherries x
Jadea says
Anything cherry is a winner for me 🙂
Alanna says
Oh my gosh, these cocktails are breathtaking, and the flavors sound so cheery and divine. Thank you for sharing!