Canning Drunk Cherries
Cherries are hands-down my favorite fruit! Unfortunately, in the south, we can’t grow them. So when they start appearing in the grocery stores, I jump all over them. If I go to a restaurant and there’s a drink or a dish with cherries, it’s on my order. Like a gift from heaven, these two miracles happened to me at just about the same time. I went on vacation with my children to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where we ate at the most delightful Italian restaurant. While there, my son and I ordered Manhattans. They were served with the most delicious cherry, obviously the reason I ordered it. When I returned to my hometown, there were cherries in the store, so I set out to make myself some cherries worthy of a Manhattan.
That’s a very large face…
Just takes my breath away…
These are the yummy ingredients. I know it’s hard, but try to focus on the left side…
First, pit your cherries, You can use this cute little Cherry Chomper, which I’ve had forever! I think it’s the first thing I ever bought on Amazon. You can find it here. https://amzn.to/32dGDcP Or, if you want to work a little faster when you’re pitting POUNDS of cherries for cooking, and cuteness is not your main objective, this one is the one I purchased AFTER I did all this. https://amzn.to/2YGUw2l
I’ve never had pretty fingernails, but please excuse these monsters, They aren’t dirty, as in full of dirt. They are stained by cherry juice. Could be worse…Anyway, mix together sugar, water, vanilla and lemon juice. Swirl it around.
While your syrup is heating, pack the cherries into jars. These are half-pint jars, but you can use whatever you want.
In the video, I made a mistake! I should have put the spirits (Jim Beam bourbon & Grand Marnier) in the jars first, then the syrup.
Do as I say, not as I do.
After a 15-minute water bath and some spilled juice, I had myself some drunk cherries! And they were fine!
Drunk Cherries
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds pitted cherries
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 TBS lemon juice
- Grand Marnier
- Good bourbon, like Jim Beam
Instructions:
- Clean & prepare 8 to 10 half-pint jars for canning.
- Pack pitted cherries into half-pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
- Mix water and sugar in a pot & bring to a low boil.
- Remove from heat; add vanilla and lemon juice.
- Pour in 2 TBS bourbon and 1/2 TBS Grand Marnier. You can add more or less, to taste.
- Fill with sugar syrup to 1/2 inch headspace.
- Clean rims and put on clean, warm lids and rings.
- Process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Notice: I’ve made every effort to be sure that the information I have provided is safe and accurate. I am not an expert and am not responsible for any damages that may occur in connection with the information in this video.
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