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Are you enjoying all of the cherry recipes this week? Today I am back with a fun cocktail that you voted for on Facebook…thanks again for your help!! This Cherry Whiskey Smash is perfect for summer using fresh cherries, winter in front of a fireplace, and shared with someone special on Valentine’s Day! So basically it is perfect any time of the year.
Think of this Cherry Whiskey Smash as a cherry soda for adults. Fizzy cherry flavor with a big ‘ol burst of whiskey to get your attention! I am going to be perfectly honest with you, this cocktail is really strong!!! The whiskey is the prominent flavor, unlike the Jameson & Ginger, Irish Coffee, and Hot Toddy. Maybe I just need a taller glass and more club soda, or maybe cream soda?
I made the first version that you see above with Marker’s Mark, holy moly that was too intense for me. So I went to the store and grabbed a new bottle of Four Roses, and it was much smoother…so that is my recommendation. I am not a whiskey connoisseur, so if you have a favorite please let us know.
How to make a Cherry Whiskey Smash
Place 8 cherries in a rocks glass.
Smash/muddle them to release the juice.
Add ice cubes, whiskey, and cherry liqueur. Stir to combine.
Top with club soda, and stir again. Serve with a cherry for garnish and cocktail straws.
As you can imagine, there are a ton of different variations on a Cherry Whiskey Smash. Some added cherry soda, some had frozen cherries which you could always use in the winter, and some used maraschino cherries. This is my take on what feels like an old fashioned drink from days gone by.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- I preferred Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey over Maker’s Mark because it was lighter and smoother tasting. Use your favorite whiskey if you have one.
- I used Dr. McGillicuddy’s Intense Cherry Schnapps, but others use Cherry Heering {a Danish cherry liqueur} that I could not find.
- My cherries are dark red Northwest Cherries from the grocery store.
This Cherry Whiskey Smash is the latest creation using cherries this week, the first was Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce using the same Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey. Then I used the barbecue sauce to create a Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Pork Pizza that is insanely delicious! The final cherry creation for the week is Cherry Sweet Rolls, the perfect breakfast food!
My Feast n’ Devour friends have plenty of other cherry recipes for you to check out after the recipe….so keep scrolling!
Enjoy!!
Cherry Whiskey Smash
Ingredients
- 8 cherries, pitted and halved (plus additional for garnish)
- ice cubes
- 2 ounces whiskey
- 1 ounce good quality cherry schnapps or liqueur
- club soda
Instructions
- Place 8 cherries in a rocks glass.
- Smash/muddle them to release the juice.
- Add ice cubes, whiskey, and cherry liqueur. Stir to combine.
- Top with club soda, and stir again. Serve with a cherry for garnish and cocktail straws.
- Cherry Pie Bars from Bread Booze Bacon
- No Churn Black Forest Ice Cream from I Heart Eating
- Cherry Whiskey Smash from Cooking with Curls
- Cherry Pie Dip from Sugar & Soul
- White Chocolate Cherry Almond Butter Blondies from The Two Bite Club
- Vanilla Spiced Rum Soaked Cherries from Frugal Foodie Mama
Milena |Craft Beering says
Loving this cocktail Lisa! Cherries and bourbon and the vanilla notes from the oak aging = happiness:)
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you, Milena!