Drinks

Quick Sip - Smokin' Cherry

Posted May 30th 2007 11:18AM by Kat Kinsman
Filed under: Drinks, Spirits, Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic, Juices, Quick Sips

More soon on this weekend's all-day hickory smoking adventure, but first, a little libation.

Hickory Smoked Cherry Limeade

Juice of 2 dozen limes
1 1/2 cups simple syrup (more or less to taste)
2 cups water (more or less to taste)

Stir these together in a large pitcher with 2-3 handfuls of smoked cherries.

Hickory Smoked Cherry & Bourbon Lemonade

2 quarts lemonade (fresh or from concentrate)
1 cup triple sec or orange curacao
2-3 cups bourbon (to taste)
1 cup smoked cherries

Pour over ice. For a lighter drink, top with seltzer.

So how do you happen to come upon smoked cherries? Prolly not in your local 7-11. Seeing as I was spending 8-ish hours smoking brisket, I figured I might as well put the top racks to use. Took a couple of foil baking pans, and laid in a layer of fresh cherries in each. Two hours in the low, steady lump charcoal heat, suffused with the heady smoke of beer-soaked hickory chips left the cherries with unbelievably rich, mellow, sweet-smoked flavor. Seeing our guests repeatedly sidling over to the bowl with the extras, and plucking them from their cocktails to savor on their own makes me think I've stumbled upon something pretty distinctive. I've a notion there will be a goodly bit more experimentation as long as they're in season.

Oh - and I also tossed in a foil pan of kosher salt for about 6 hours. That smoked salt will add some delicious wood-char undertones to my next batch of margaritas. But that's a whooole other post.

Next outing - we smoke the lemons & limes, and potentially a few peaches. Wanna come over?

Get More Great Grilling Tips
Lemonade 101

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. I came to your post via Slashfood this week and I knew I had to hickory smoke some cherries this weekend. Well, I just did and holy cow, they taste great! I haven't made the cocktails you listed because my mind went immediately to a Manhattan (which I am enjoying presently). I'm going to soak some of the cherries in Bourbon to see if the infusion is as good as I think it'll be. I also grilled a Meyer lemon (I have an over producing tree). It too is amazing! Can't wait to use that...hey I could use the juice from that to make your drink. Anyway, thanks for the great idea!!!!

Barry at 1:24PM on Jun 7th 2007

2. Hey Ross -

Well, I'm in Northern California. I'm not sure if there are regulations on private parties shipping fruit but I'm open to the idea. It's be better than seeing them rot. BTW hickory grilled Meyer lemon juice is amazing too.

Barry

Barry at 1:28PM on Jun 7th 2007

3. You are so totally my kinda people. Keep us posted on what you make, and I'll see if my charming editors will let me post a roundup of the best user-submitted ideas.

I am sooooo craving some smoked/grilled/roasted Meyer lemonade right 'bout now.

Kat K. at 1:57PM on Jun 7th 2007

4. Barry --

You've got an overproducing Meyer lemon tree? It just so happens that I have a tongue that overproduces a taste for Meyer lemons. I have no idea what part of the country you live in, but any interest in a trade? I'm sure I have something that could be of use to you.

--Ross

Ross at 2:54PM on Jun 14th 2007

5. Hey Barry,

Email me at r o s s a a r o n @ g m a i l . c o m (I added the spaces so spam engines don't pick up my email address; you'll need to remove them). And we can organize the trade.

--Ross

Ross at 2:58PM on Jun 14th 2007

6. i came here via sk*rt because you have just put together 2 of my favorite tastes in the whole world: smoked and cherry. i will always choose either of these if offered. always. always. and putting them together? brilliant. can't wait to try it this weekend. i was planning to smoke some wild salmon. thank you in advance.

laurie at 8:26PM on Jun 19th 2007

7. Very interesting on the smoked cherries ...I love cherry limeade and this would give it that little extra ...I have smoked bologna and many cheeses as the heat dies off but have never thought of the fruits ...thanks for the receipe post ...Tom

Tom Sirmans at 4:57PM on Jul 3rd 2007

8. This sounds great... can anyone give me a hint about smoking the cherries? Do u leave them with the pits or not? I'm thinking they would look better whole.. thanks

Cathie at 10:19AM on Jul 4th 2007

9. I just mesquite-smoked a new batch of cherries yesterday - stems off, pits still in. I've only used Bing cherries, as they're what's been in season where I am, but I say have fun experimenting! (And let us know how it all turns out.)

Kat K. at 6:57PM on Jul 5th 2007

10. What kind of cherries???? It doesn't say.....Could be pie cherries, bing, or, marachino...

Mary at 10:10PM on Jul 5th 2007

11. What kind of cherries???? It doesn't say....could be pie cherries, bing, marachino, etc.

Mary at 10:23PM on Jul 5th 2007

12. Smoked cherries..sounds great! I always have something on the smoker and will throw a pan of cherries on next time. It just happens to be cherry season in Traverse City MI. Must make the trip up there.

Chris B. at 2:44PM on Jul 14th 2007

13. I can't wait to try smoking some cherries. Thanks for the tip and also thanks for the beer soaked wood chips too. Thats sounds like a great idea. I'll be smoking this weekend for sure ;)

Woody at 9:27PM on Jul 18th 2007

14. I tried smoking cherries and boy are they hard to get lit. Just kidding. These Ideas sound great to me THANKS for the ideas.

kenn at 9:32PM on Jul 18th 2007

15. I smoked some cherries over the smoldering charcoal and hickory chips left over from grilling some boneless pork sirloin chops. I served the cherries alongside the chops, like a chutney. Made some potato salad to go with it. Absolutely intriguing. Will use the leftover cherries to actually make a smoked cherry chutney. Ummm. Can't wait!

Sharon at 5:07AM on Jul 24th 2007

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