Cherry Lime Rickey with Gin |Cooking With Amanda

Growing up I was a very particular child regarding what I ate and drank. I knew exactly what I liked and how I liked it. No cherries in my cola, no ketchup on my hot dog and please whatever you do, do not put mayonnaise on my sandwich otherwise it would be ruined and I wouldn't dare touch it.

I didn't think I was that picky of an eater but looking back now, maybe I was just a touch. It's a bit of a shame that I refused to step outside of my comfort zone, because I feel like I missed out on so many things that kids loved to eat and drink. One of the most recent that comes to mine is when I finally experienced my first cherry lime rickey.

My husband and I were out at a very old-school family diner in Brooklyn and they had signs up for their cherry lime rickeys. What's that I asked him? He looked at my like I was crazy. You never had one? Nope. Shirley Temples, you bet I had my fill of them, but for some reason my life was devoid of this particular beverage. I'm not going to say this was the finest version ever but I did fall in love with the tart and sweet combination of cherries, lime, and club soda.

Of course I knew I could make my own version much better with fresh cherries and lime juice and sweetened with some cherry simple syrup. A classic summer drink to sip on all day long when the weather is so hot just breathing makes you sweat.

The only thing to make it just a little bit better would be a splash of gin. After all, a Gin Rickey is another classic and refreshing summer drink, why shouldn't we mash up the two? So when the lights go down and the kids go to bed (or the dog is walked), pour a tall glass from the giant pitcher in the refrigerator. I promise you will want to keep this mix of Cherry Lime Gin Rickey on hand for the rest of the summer.

Print Save

Cherry Lime Rickey with Gin Recipe

Embed

Ingredients

For the Cherry Simple Syrup:

1 cup pitted cherries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water

For the Cherry Lime Rickey:

1 cup pitted cherries
2 limes, juiced
4-5 dashes angostura bitters
2 ounces cherry simple syrup
3 ounces gin
ice cubes
club soda

Directions

For the Cherry Simple Syrup:

Place the cherries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
Using a potato masher, mash the cherries and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let steep for 10-15 minutes.
Strain and discard the solids.

For the Cherry Lime Rickey:

Place the cherries and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and muddle the cherries until they are completely broken up and release their juices.
Add in the bitters, simple syrup, and gin.
Strain into 2 Collins glasses filled with ice and top with club soda.
Store extra simple syrup in a glass jar in your refrigerator for up to 1 week.