Follow me... for flavor, fun & frolics
with FOOD

Whiskey Cherries and the Fremont Solstice Parade

Seattle summer brings cherries and multiple neighborhood festivals.

Cherries 001No festival is more famous or colorful than the Fremont Neighborhood Solstice Parade.  The solstice parade features everything except words and slogans – as it is pure art and creativity on display.

Solstice and such 2012 130

Solstice and such 2012 223

Solstice and such 2012 214
The parade is tradition among those I know in Seattle and I have not missed participation in its ranks.  I've dressed as a lotus flower, flowing water and even traded clothing for paint to join the annual painted bike ride -  this year I marched with my Buddhist bretheran as a human revolutionary passing out peace cranes.  Some other friends suited up with colors and went out as the four seasons with 600 other painted peeps on two wheels.

Solstice and such 2012 139

Solstice and such 2012 197
In preparation for the festivities of the weekend – I chose my colorful outfit and made a batch of boozy cherries to bring to my friends Fremont Solstice all-day BBQ.  The cherry recipe is from the book The Seasonal Cocktail Companion written by Seattlite resident foodie cocktail chef Maggie Savarino. 

Cherry making 011I was waiting for a good excuse to blend a bunch of cherries and whiskey together – along with the advent of cherry season. 

Seattle early june 2012 138
Now that it is upon us – I could wait no longer and a batch became reality  as my contribution to the weekend post-parade festivities.

Cherry making 006Start with 4 cups fresh cherries for a party batch – and these other ingredients.

Cherry making 027

1/2 of a lemon (juice and rind)

3/4 cup homemade simple syrup

1 Tbsp Vanilla extract

3 cups Irish Whiskey (or other better quality whiskey or bourbon)

Cherry making 004Step 1:  Make your own Simple Syrup

Combine 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup cane sugar.  Bring the water to a boil then gradually add the sugar to the boiling water until all the sugar disolves.  You will have 1 to1.5  cups of simple syrup.

Cherry making 031
Step 2: Combine simple syrup, vanilla, and lemon

Step 3:  Pit your cherries

To pit a cherry take a pairing knife and slice across the top of the cherry where the stem once was.  Pull open, and pluck the pit up and out.  You will get a little messy – but all for good reason.  Apparently a device known as a "cherry pitter" exists – I do not own one and I am skeptical if it is any quicker than the method I just described – but that choice of investment is yours.

Cherry making 033Step 4: Add cherries to pan

Add the pitted cherries to the lemon, vanilla and simple syrup mixture.  Pour 1 cup of the whiskey in the mixture and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 5:  Add booze

Remove the mixture from heat – add 2 more cups of whiskey, let cool and pour your cherries into an airproof container and refrigerate until serving. 

Note: Per the author of said recipe these little lovelies will keep in the freezer.  They last 1 to 2 weeks in your fridge.  

Happy Solstice!

  Solstice and such 2012 188

 

Leave a Comment

Love the blog?
Let's keep in touch!

Receive new blog posts from Angel in your email.

Loading