Sparkling Sour Cherry Aperitivo

By danyell923

Recipes & Menus | recipes

Sparkling Sour Cherry Aperitivo
We call this a Persian Kir Royale—and can think of no better way to start a meal. This recipe yields more syrup than you'll need; use the surplus for fruity nonalcoholic spritzers or drizzle it over ice cream.

Makes6

Recipe by Samin Nosrat

Photograph by Peden + Munk

June 2013

Ingredients

• 1 24-oz jar sour cherries in light syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 750ml bottle sparkling wine

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from bonappetit.com

Preparation

Step 1

Purée one 24-ounce jar sour cherries in light syrup (with syrup) in a blender until smooth. Strain into a medium bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Bring cherry mixture and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce heat and simmer, occasionally skimming any foam from surface, until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 20–30 minutes. Let cool. Mix in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours.

DO AHEAD: Syrup can be made 1 month ahead. Keep chilled.

Divide 3 tablespoons chilled sour cherry syrup among 6 glasses. Top off syrup with one 750-ml bottle of chilled sparkling wine, dividing evenly, and stir to combine. Garnish drinks with lemon verbena or mint sprigs, if desired.