Popped Cherry
A vibrant and fruity highball cocktail that balances the bold sweetness of cherry liqueur with the tartness of cranberry and citrus notes of orange juice, all anchored by a smooth vodka base.
What it tastes like
The drink leads with a heavy aroma of candied cherry and bright citrus. The palate is thick and syrupy due to the high sugar content of the liqueur and juices, followed by a tart cranberry finish. Its mouthfeel is dense and cooling with a noticeable fruit-punch character.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Vodka2 oz
- Cherry Liqueur2 oz
- Cranberry Juice4 oz
- Orange Juice4 oz
- Maraschino Cherry1 whole
Preparation
- 1
Fill a highball glass generously with ice cubes.
- 2
Pour the vodka and cherry liqueur over the ice.
- 3
Add the cranberry juice and orange juice.
- 4
Stir gently to combine the ingredients well.
- 5
Garnish with a maraschino cherry, or add extra cherries for a bolder presentation.
Substitutions
- VodkaGin — Gin adds botanical notes of juniper and coriander that balance the heavy sugar.
- Cherry LiqueurMaraschino Liqueur — This produces a drier, more medicinal cherry flavor with a nutty finish.
- Orange JuicePineapple Juice — Pineapple juice creates a more viscous texture and adds a tropical acidity.
- Cranberry JuicePomegranate Juice — Pomegranate juice provides a deeper red color and more astringent tannins.
Variations
Cherry Spritz
Replace the orange juice with dry sparkling wine for a lighter, carbonated version.
Tart Cherry
Add half an ounce of fresh lime juice to cut the sweetness and increase the acidity.