Frozen Tart Cherrytini

I can’t believe the first month of 2012 went by so quickly.  Here’s my question for you, my dear friends.  Were you able to keep up with your New Year Resolutions so far?  “Eat healthy food” and “exercise more to get fit” are among the top New Year Resolutions for most people every year.  Are those your New Year Resolutions as well?  What does it have to do with my Frozen Tart Cherrytini, you might ask.  Here’s what.  Have a few drinks and forget about your New Year Resolutions!  hahaha….no, no, no, I’m just teasing.  Seriously, here’s what.



Tart cherries are one of today’s hottest Super Fruits with many health benefits!  Did you know February is also National Cherry Month?  I’m so glad to have the opportunity to participate in Kitchen PLAY’s February Progressive Party featuring these lovely Tart Cherries brought to us by The Cherry Marketing Institute.

According to The Cherry Marketing Institute, there are more than 50 studies specifically on tart cherries, linking the fruit to anti-inflammatory benefits, reduced pain from gout and arthritis, and an extensive list of heart health benefits. Recent studies even suggest tart cherries can help reduce post-exercise muscle and joint pain. Isn’t that wonderful?



I love that bright red, vibrant color from the tart cherries. The color is not just for looks! This bright red color comes from the powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are also responsible for tart cherries’ high antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory benefits.  If you’re interested to read more about the health benefits and nutrition information, please visit Choose Cherries.



So, drink up before and after you exercise! This super fruit is simply awesome and good for you. I prepared two different beverages using tart cherry juice. One is the cocktail version of Frozen Tart Cherrytini (with vodka), which is perfect for cocktail parties, gatherings, or a romantic date with your significant other to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day! The other version that I have prepared for you is a non-alcoholic version, which is perfect for your every day enjoyment, especially post-exercise replenishment.  Both versions are super refreshing, with the sweet and tart flavors balanced so well with each other.



You might wonder the differences between sweet cherries and tart cherries? Sweet cherries are grown primarily for fresh eating. The tart cherry, also called “red tart”, “sour cherry” or “Montmorency”, is widely processed into dried, frozen and juice forms so they are available year-round.  For more recipe ideas, please visit Choose Cherries’ site, follow them on Facebook or Twitter.  It’s super fun and easy to Go Red Instead! 

The Cherry Marketing Institute is also sponsoring a delicious giveaway at Kitchen PLAY. Simply recreate one or more recipes from this month’s Progressive Party, post about the experience on your blog and provide a link to your post on Kitchen PLAY to enter.  All qualifying bloggers in each course will be entered to win the following prize pack shipped directly to each winner (valued at $100).

• A recipe rock
  
• Sur La Table red measuring cup set
  
• Sur La Table red mixing bowls, set of three
  
• Yaritza apron
  
• 1 lb bag of dried tart cherries
  
• 1 bottle of tart cherry juice
  
• branded cherries tote

No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents only. The deadline is February 29, 2012. Please review the complete contest rules before entering. Good luck!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Kitchen PLAY and The Cherry Marketing Institute.  All opinions are my own and always will be.  


Please drink responsibly.  Health and General Disclaimers.






Frozen Tart Cherrytini  (Printable Recipe)
Servings: 4

12 frozen pitted tart cherries
2 Meyer lemons (or regular lemons if you can’t find them)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 cups tart cherry juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups vodka (I used Grey Goose)
2 cups of ice cubes

Thread 3 tart cherries onto each (4-inch) cocktail pick or skewer and keep them in the freezer until they are ready to serve.

Zest one Meyer lemon onto a shallow dish, mix together with sugar, set aside. Cut lemon in halves and “rub” the cut-side of the lemon against the rims of the 4 (10oz) martini glasses. Dip the rims of the glasses into the lemon-sugar. With a vegetable peeler, peel the other Meyer lemon.  In a large pitcher, twist the lemon peels to extract the natural oil, and leave the peels inside the pitcher after the twisting and squeezing.

Squeeze the juice from both lemons into the pitcher and add the cherry juice and vodka. Fill a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice. Pour 1/2 of the vodka mixture into the cocktail shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds.

Pour into 2 of the prepared glasses. Repeat with the remaining vodka mixture. Place a cocktail pick with frozen tart cherries onto each glass and serve.

 

Frozen Tart “Cherrytini” (non-alcohol version) (Printable Recipe)
Servings: 4
12 frozen pitted tart cherries
2 Meyer lemons (or regular lemons if you can’t find them)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 cups tart cherry juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups white grape juice
2 cups of ice cubes

Thread 3 tart cherries onto each (4-inch) cocktail pick or skewer and keep them in the freezer until ready to serve. Zest one Meyer lemon onto a shallow dish, mix together with sugar, set aside.  Cut lemon in halves and “rub” the cut-side of the lemon against the rims of the 4 (10oz) martini glasses.  Dip the rims of the glasses into the lemon-sugar.

With a vegetable peeler, peel the other Meyer lemon.  In a large pitcher, twist the lemon peels to extract the natural oil, and leave the peels inside the pitcher after the twisting and squeezing.  Squeeze the juice from both lemons into the pitcher and add the cherry juice and grape juice.

Fill a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice. Pour 1/2 of the tart cherry mixture into the cocktail shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds. Pour into 2 of the prepared glasses. Repeat with the remaining tart cherry mixture.

Place a cocktail pick with frozen tart cherries onto each glass and serve.



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