Cherry Vodka

How to Make Cherry Vodka that'll have your taste buds singing! Or make Polish Cherry Liqueur - Wiśniówka, perfect for gift giving. Vodka Infusions are surprisingly easy to make, vibrant and flavorful. All you need is a few ingredients, and a bit of patience and you will be enjoying this incredible drink.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Control the Sweetness - it's up to you if you want to make a sweet liqueur or dryer infusion
• Make Wiśniówka - the classic Polish cherry liqueur, this requires patience but it's worth it
• Budget Friendly - homemade infusions are much cheaper than store-bought
• Great for Gift Giving - make it during cherry season and give as a gift for Christmas

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds (750g) cherries - pitted but some prefer to leave the pits in
• 1 litre Vodka
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare - Remove pits from cherries and cut in half. Place in sterilized glass jar with 2 tablespoons of sugar. 
2. Combine - Pour vodka over the cherries. Cover with lid and place in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard).
3. Infuse - place in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks. Strain using a sieve or coffee filter. Pour cherry vodka into a bottle. Save the drunken cherries to use in a cake, or enjoy as a snack.
4. Serve chilled

Cherry Vodka Variations

• Citrus Cherry Vodka - Add some lemon peels into your infusion (without the white pith) for a citrusy twist.
• Spiced Cherries - infuse with 2 cinnamon sticks and a a few cloves
• Cherry Berry Vodka - add other berries like blueberries, blackberries or raspberries for a berry infusion

How to Make Wiśniówka

Wiśniowska is a Polish Cherry Liqueur made in the same manner of soaking cherries in vodka and sweetening. Ideally you need sour cherries like Morello Cherries. The flavor is more intense, uses more cherries, requires longer time, and is sweeter. However you can use sweet cherries instead.

1. Remove pits from 4½ pounds (2kg) of cherries. Place cherries in glass jar.
2. Pour vodka over cherries, close lid and put in a dark, cool place (like a cupboard) for six weeks. Occasionally shake the jar.
3. Strain the vodka from the cherries. Place cherry infusion into a glass bottle, and return the cherries back into the glass jar.
4. Add 2½ cups (500g) of sugar over the cherries and allow to macerate for 2 weeks. This will turn into a cherry syrup (occasionally shake).
5. Strain the cherries from the cherry syrup, and combine syrup with the cherry vodka infusion.
6. Strain through a cheesecloth, pour into a bottle and allow to cellar for 3-6 months before drinking.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Be Patient - even though the color shifts after one week, continue to infuse cherries for up to 4 weeks for best flavor
• Sweeten - to make cherry liqueur, add sugar syrup instead of sugar crystals. This allows you to control sweetness without needing to dissolve crystals.
• Quality Cherries - ensure cherries are blemish free and undamaged for best flavor

Can I Use Frozen Cherries?

Yes! Just thaw before you add them into the jar.

Drunken Cherries Ideas

Don't throw away the infused cherries, but use them again. Remember the alcohol content is high in these cherries.

• Black Forest Cake - perfect way to use these adults on cherries, bake a cake!
• Cocktails - Throw a few into your cocktail for flavor and garnish
• Ice Cubes - toss into ice cube trays and serve with your drinks
• Cherry Ice Cream - add into your homemade ice cream maker for a adult cherry ice cream

Vodka Infusions You Have to Try!

• Spiced Pear Vodka
• Blueberry Vodka
• Raspberry Vodka
• Horseradish Vodka (Hrenovuha)
• Limoncello (Lemon Vodka)
• Sea Buckthorn Vodka

This cherry vodka infusion is rewarding to make, flavorful, great for cocktails or just on its own (neat or in a shot). Make a bit of Eastern Europe this summer. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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