Sparkling Cherry Apple Cider

A delicious tart cherry simple syrup with sparkling apple cider

I’d love to know; how many of you do a Friendsgiving during the month of November?

Today I’m teaming up (virtually) with some amazing friends to bring you an entire Friendsgiving dinner menu complete with recipes for a beverage (that’s this recipe!), a side dish, a main dish, and a dessert. The fun thing about this menu is we’re all using the superfruit Montmorency tart cherries in our recipes.

You can check out the entire menu right here. 🙂

I’ve made several recipes over the years using Montmorency tart cherries and love the health benefits this fruit contains. Some of the top health benefits include:

1. Better quality and duration of sleep
2. Reduced risk of arthritis
3. Aid exercise recovery
4. Promote cardiovascular health

When you choose to use Montmorency tart cherries you’re going to get U.S. grown cherries sourced from small, family orchards. This helps support local agriculture and preserve generations-old family farms.

This drink starts with water-packed canned tart cherries. Many people think canned cherries means pie filling, but there are actually pitted tart cherries packed in water that are perfect for cooking and baking. The first step is to drain the cherries, then add them to a small saucepan with some water and sugar. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then press the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to get the base of our fun beverage: tart cherry simple syrup.

Pour a few tablespoons of the syrup in an empty glass, then fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling apple cider. I’ve tried both full calorie sparkling apple cider and a calorie-free sparkling apple water, and both are delicious in this drink! If you prefer a sweeter taste, then go with the full-calorie apple cider.

Add a cinnamon stick and you’ve got the perfect Thanksgiving beverage that both kids and adults will enjoy!

More Thanksgiving Recipes:

Crockpot Potatoes Au Gratin

Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Salad

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Print

Sparkling Cherry Apple Cider

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

A delicious tart cherry simple syrup with sparkling apple cider

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10 beverages

Calories: 41 kcal

Author: Chelsea

Ingredients

Montmorency Tart Cherry Simple Syrup

• 1-1/2 cups (1 can) Montmorency tart cherries, drained
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon water

Cherry Apple Cider

• 1 bottle (25.4 ounces) Sparkling Apple Cider
• Pebble or crushed ice, to fill glasses
• Optional: additional sugar to rim glasses, cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Place the tart cherries and sugar in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Strain the cherries and allow the liquid to cool completely in the fridge.

2. When ready to enjoy the beverages, rim the tops of the glasses in sugar (if desired), and then fill the glasses halfway with ice. Pour a few tablespoons of the cherry simple syrup into the bottom of the glasses and then top with sparkling apple cider.

3. Add a cinnamon stick in the glasses as desired and enjoy immediately.

 Special thanks to the Cherry Marketing Institute for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.