"The Bounce"

 Have you ever heard of Cherry Bounce?  It is a long held tradition among family and friends in Northern Michigan.  Cherry Bounce is a Cordial Liquor with roots dating back to colonial times.

 The main ingredient to make your own Cherry Bounce is fresh Tart Cherries.  Tart Cherries are very perishable so around the middle of July the Tart Cherries that are left over after all the major pie corporations scoop them up for their pies, the locals get there opportunity to acquire any that remain.

 The farmers markets are the purveyors of these precious jewels and the early birds are the lucky ones.  If you are one of the fortunate, your next task in the small communities that dot the Northeastern Coast of Northern Michigan is to acquire enough Vodka to make your "Bounce".  Our small town ran out of the big bottles of Vodka the first day the Cherries were available.....

I have heard that you can find frozen Tart Cherries on line if you are interested in making a batch of Cherry Bounce yourself.  It is a delicious drink to serve your friends or to give as gifts in small batches during the Holidays.  The taste is like nothing you have had before and if you do decide to try it I guarantee that before long the words "The Bounce" will become part of your vocabulary too.

Classic Cherry Bounce

6 cups Tart Cherries

3/4 cup sugar

1 fifth Vodka

Directions

What a fun way to ring in the holidays with cherries from the summer. When the liqueur is gone, enjoy a vodka infused cherry every now and then.

Place the cleaned cherries in a large, clean jug or jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the sugar and then pour in the vodka. Seal and place the jug in a cool place away from the light. Shake the contents on occasion.



At holiday time (six months later), the bounce should be ready to enjoy. Serve in cordial glasses as an after dinner liqueur and enjoy in moderation. The cherries that have been steeping in the liquor can also be enjoyed on their own or spooned over ice cream or pound cake.