Drinking in Season: Lillet Rouge and Cherry Cocktail Recipe

By
Kelly Carámbula
Kelly Carámbula is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kelly Carámbula

Kelly Carámbula is an artist and sculptor based in San Francisco. Kelly was the designer and publisher behind Remedy Quarterly (2009–2018), a magazine about food memories and the recipes that inspire them, as well as an award-winning food blogger at The Best Remedy.

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Updated Aug. 30, 2018
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Kelly Carámbula

Cherries are in full force at the market; the only hard part is choosing between deep burgundy Bing cherries and the lightly blushed Royal Anns. To get in the summer spirit, I've been making a sangria-like mixture of the aperitif Lillet Rouge with gin and cherries. A dash of orange bitters (along with an orange twist and a cool splash of seltzer water) rounds out the cocktail to make a flavorful yet easy-drinking summer refreshment.

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Recipe Facts

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Active: 5 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serves: 1 serving

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Ingredients

  • 4 bing cherries, pitted
  • 3 ounces Lillet Rouge
  • 1 ounce gin, such as Hendrick's
  • 2 dashes orange bitters
  • Splash of seltzer water
  • Orange twist, about 2 inches
  • 1 whole bing cherry, to garnish

Directions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle cherries lightly. Add Lillet Rouge, gin, and bitters. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

  2. Pour into a collins glass, including the ice. Top off with a splash of seltzer water.

  3. Squeeze the orange twist over the drink to express citrus oils, then drop into drink. Garnish with a whole cherry.

Special equipment

cocktail shaker, muddler or wooden spoon

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