Frozen Cherry Shrub Champagne Float
I love making shrubs. They are perfect in cocktails, or straight up in a refreshing glass of sparkling water and most definitely a fantastic way to hold on to your favorite seasonal fruit when you've got lots of it to use up. Cherry season is at its peak and soon coming to an end and where I wish stone fruit could be a year round thing, I suppose that's why late summer tastes extra special.
If you've been having a summer as nearly blazing as we are in Southern California (did we move to the sun?) then you understand the need for constant cool-downs. Any by cool down I mean give me all the iced treats - cocktails included. So it was a no brainer for me to put my latest batch of cherry and thyme infused shrub straight into the freezer...besides, I've never done that before and it was either a brilliant idea or the heat had really gotten to me.
In a word WHOA! It's potent, it's gem-toned gorgeous and it's perfect as a little sweet herbaceous island of shave ice to surround with some sparkling wine. Yes, we're making an adult float is it's going to be the best way to spend the rest of your summertime sipping!
- Frozen Cherry Shrub Champagne Float -
CHERRY SHRUB INGREDIENTS
Yields Approx. 1 cup of shrub liquid
1 1/2 cups fresh pitted cherries
1 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 small bunch fresh thyme
DIRECTIONS
In a sauce pan add cherries, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until cherries have started to break down. Turn off heat, add thyme and cover for 5 minutes. Strain into a clean bottle and store sealed in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or place into a shallow bowl and freeze over night for a icy cocktail treat.
TO SERVE
Glass of champagne or prosecco
3-4 dashes of aromatic bitters
Fresh herbs (mint or thyme)
Place a small scoop of frozen cherry shrub into the center of a coupe. Fill your glass with a dry sparking wine and top with a few dashes of aromatic bitters and flowering herbs such as thyme or mint.
What I particularly love about this frozen cherry shrub is how many ways we can use it. Pair a dollop with some bourbon & gingerbeer for a sophisticated social hour, or add a bit of sparkling water to the recipe above for more of a light spritzy sitch to break up your usual Aperol aperitivo.
It's bold, bright and super stunning - just like you! Cheers friends! xo
