Sour-Cherry Gin Slings

• 1 pound sour cherries, stemmed
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• Strips of zest from 1/2 lemon
• Strips of zest from 1/2 orange
• 2 cups gin
• 2/3 cup Cointreau
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 1/4 cups sour-cherry syrup
• Angostura bitters
• Ice
• Sparkling water
• Lime wheels and fresh cherries, for garnish

1. Make the gin slings: In a large saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar, water and citrus zests and bring to a boil.
2. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes.
3. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids; you should have 2 1/2 cups.
4. Let cool.
5. Make the gin slings: In a pitcher, combine the gin with the Cointreau, lime juice, sour-cherry syrup and a few dashes of bitters and stir well.
6. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each drink with sparkling water.
7. Garnish with the lime wheels and fresh cherries and serve.

sour cherries, sugar, water, lemon, orange, gin, lime juice, sourcherry syrup, bitters, sparkling water, wheels

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/sour-cherry-gin-slings (may not work)