Cherry Bomb
Brazil’s cultural well runs deep. In addition to Carnival and a steady supply of world-class soccer players, the South American country is responsible for cachaça, a rum-like spirit that is distilled from the fermented juice of sugar cane. Cachaça is best known for its place in the classic Caipirinha, but this is no one-trick liquor. It can be utilized in a variety of drinks, including the Cherry Bomb, a recipe from New York drinks consultant Aisha Sharpe.
The Cherry Bomb cocktail combines cachaça with cherry liqueur, fresh lime juice and club soda for a bubbly refreshment. The dry, grassy cachaça complements the sweet cherry liqueur and tart lime, while the sparkling water imbues the drink with welcome effervescence.
The cocktail is similar to a classic daisy, a drink template featuring a spirit, citrus, orange liqueur and soda water. In this case, the orange liqueur is replaced by cherry liqueur, but the core tenets remain. The drink is flavorful and balanced, finding just enough sweetness from the liqueur (rather than sugar or simple syrup) to enhance the other ingredients.
You have options with that cherry liqueur. Bottles vary but most are made from neutral grain spirits or brandy. Some feature the sweet flavor of cherry flesh, while others opt for the bittersweet flavors of cherry pits. Choose your favorite expression to make the Cherry Bomb, and you will create a delicious drink that you’ll want to refill as soon as your glass is drained.
Ingredients- 1 1/2 ounces cachaça
- 1 ounce cherry liqueur
- 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Club soda, chilled, to top
- Garnish: cherry
- Garnish: lime wheel
- Add the cachaça, cherry liqueur and lime juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with the club soda.
- Garnish with a cherry and a lime wheel.
