Sparkling Sour Cherry Aperitivo

Name: Sparkling Sour Cherry Aperitivo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 24 ounce sour cherries in light syrup; 1 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 750 milliliter sparkling wine; 6 sprigs lemon verbena or mint sprigs

A refreshing and elegant cocktail combining homemade sour cherry syrup with sparkling wine, brightened with fresh lime juice and garnished with herbs. Perfect for special occasions or summer entertaining.

6 servings

2 hr 35 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•24 ounce sour cherries in light syrup
•1 cup sugar
•2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
•750 milliliter sparkling wine
•6 sprigs lemon verbena or mint sprigs

Cooking Instructions

1.
Purée one 24-oucne jar sour cherries in light syrup (with syrup) in a blender until smooth. Strain into a medium bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Bring cherry mixture and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce heat and simmer, occasionally skimming any foam from surface, until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 20-30 minutes. Let cool. Mix in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours.
150 min
2.
DO AHEAD: Syrup can be made 1 month ahead. Keep chilled.
3.
Divide 3 tablespoons chilled sour cherry syrup among 6 glasses. Top off syrup with one 750-milliliter bottle of chilled sparkling wine, dividing evenly, and stir to combine. Garnish drinks with lemon verbena or mint sprigs, if desired.
5 min