Are you in for a treat! This simple recipe for a Cherry Bomb cocktail is quite frankly, “the bomb”! Fresh cherries muddled with rich bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup, lemon juice and a splash of club soda, makes the ultimate Cherry Bourbon Smash!
HOW TO MAKE A CHERRY BOURBON SMASH
I was trying to figure out what to name this cocktail, a “Cherry Vanilla“, but it also has maple syrup in it.
Perhaps “Cherry Maple Vanilla Cocktail“, though it’s made with bourbon as well, “Maple Cherry Vanilla Bourbon Cocktail” that’s a bit long.
Then I asked my husband if he wanted a drink last week and he said, “Yes, can you make that Cherry Bomb again!?” A drink is born! It’s also known as a Cherry Bourbon Smash!
I love fresh seasonal cocktails, like this Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule or this Grapefruit Basil Vodka Smash. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I concocted this perfect late summer cocktail.
Using in-season, fresh* cherries, bursting with amazing flavor, encouraging their dark red juice and flavors to mix with wee dram of bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla and club soda.
The perfect way to end a long, hot summer day. *Frozen cherries may be substituted!
Cherry Cocktail Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh cherries, pitted and sliced (frozen may be substituted)
- 1 – 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1/2-1 Tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or go over the top with our Bourbon Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Ice cubes or crushed ice
- Club soda
Cut or pit about 1/3 of a cup of fresh cherries and place into an old fashioned glass. Use equal amounts of frozen (slightly thawed) cherries.
Pour the bourbon over the cherries…
…and then the vanilla, I used my homemade bourbon vanilla, either is fine!
Then add maple syrup…
Finally, the fresh lemon juice.
Grabbing a muddler or the end of a thick wooden spoon, gently smash the cherries with the liquids, releasing their juices and flavors.
Filling your glass with ice (I used my Ninja blender and crushed ice)
Top off the glass with club soda, using a spoon gently stir and bring up some of the cherries to the top for a delicious, refreshing, stunning Cherry Cocktail!!
How to Make a non-alcoholic Cherry Shirley Temple Drink
This makes a refreshing and vibrant Cherry Maple Mocktail! Simply omit the bourbon and adding a bit more cherries/juice and club soda for a slightly different take on a Shirley Temple drink.
I hope you have loved this cherry bomb, cherry bourbon smash or whatever you want to call it! It’s one of our favorites!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating in the recipe below!
Cherry Bomb | Fresh Cherry Bourbon Cocktail
Cherry Bomb recipe, a fresh cocktail or mocktail made with fresh (or frozen) cherries muddled with bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup, lemon and club soda.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh cherries, pitted and sliced (or frozen may be substituted)
- 1 - 1.5 oz bourbon (omit for mocktail)
- 1/2-1 Tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or try bourbon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Ice cubes or crushed ice
- Club soda
Instructions
Cut or pit about 1/3 of a cup of fresh (or frozen) cherries and place into an old fashioned glass.
Pour the bourbon over the cherries and then the vanilla, I made homemade vanilla using a bottle of bourbon, so this was bourbon vanilla, either is fine.
Then add in maple syrup, lemon juice and using a muddler or the end of a thick wooden spoon, gently smash the cherries with the liquids, releasing their juices and flavors.
Fill glass with ice (I used my Ninja blender and crushed ice), top off the glass with club soda, using a spoon gently stir and bring up some of the cherries to the top for a delicious, refreshing, stunning Cherry Bomb Cocktail!!
Notes
MOCKTAIL | Omit Bourbon, increase cherries and club soda for a refreshing Cherry Mocktail!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter, Red -
Runamok Maple, Bourbon Barrel Aged Organic Vermont Maple Syrup, 8.45 Ounce, 250mL -
Long Handle Spoon, 9-inch Ice Tea Spoon, Set of 6 (Heavy Duty) -
OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, Mini, Clear -
Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses 11 Ounce, Short Glasses For Camping/Party,Set Of 6 -
Twine 3643 Old Kentucky Home Acacia Wood Muddler
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 1g
The nutritional information is estimated and may not be entirely accurate.
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ABOUT KATHLEEN
I enjoy sharing easy recipes that are wholesome and delicious. I am fed by my faith, family, friends & food! Welcome to my kitchen! Read more...
Jennifer Stewart
Monday 4th of May 2020
The cherries are my fave and work so well with bourbon! CHEERS!
Kathleen
Monday 4th of May 2020
Thank you my friend!
Debi
Sunday 3rd of May 2020
This is delicious. I've been trying my hand at different cocktails during all of this stay at home business, and this one I'll make after all this is over! A great treat.