Spirited Cherries Recipes

SPIRITED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Prepare canner, jars and lids.
• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add Cherries, stirring constantly, and return to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon pack fruit in hot jars withing 1/2 in headspace add rum or spirit. Ladle hot syrup into jar to cover fruit. Wipe rum and place lids and bands on jars.
• Place jars in canner and process 10 minutes.

BRANDIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Wash & pit cherries.
• Combine sugar, water & lemon juice in a large saucepot.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Add cherries & simmer until hot throughout. Remove from heat; stir in brandy.
• Pack hot cherries into hot jars, leaving 1/2" headspace.
• Ladle hot syrup over cherries, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Remove air bubbles.
• Adjust two-piece caps.
• Process 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

SPIRITED SOUR CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pack a clean, sterile quart-sized jar with a sterile lid with the cherries. Add the sugar and fill the jar with the eau-de-vie, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Screw the lid on firmly and shake it well to dissolve the sugar. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks before use, shaking it occasionally. The flavor will continue to strengthen over several more months. Once you open the jar, store any remainders in the refrigerator.