Fizzy Sour Cherry Lemonade

• 2 pounds fresh or thawed frozen sour cherries (2 quarts), stemmed
• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups superfine sugar
• 3 cups white rum (optional)
• 4 to 6 cups chilled sparkling water
• Fresh sour cherries with stems, for garnish

1. Blend cherries (including pits) in a blender at low speed until skins have broken down enough to brightly color liquid (some of pits will be coarsely chopped).
2. Pour through a sieve into a 4-quart pitcher, pressing on and discarding solids.
3. Add lemon juice and sugar, to taste, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
4. Pour 3 tablespoons white rum, if using, into each of 16 tall (10-ounce) glasses filled with ice.
5. Add 1/2 cup cherry lemonade to each and top off with sparkling water.
6. Cooks' note: Sour cherry lemonade can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

sour cherries, lemon juice, sugar, white rum, chilled sparkling water, sour cherries

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/fizzy-sour-cherry-lemonade-recipe.html (may not work)