Sour-Cherry Gin Slings

INGREDIENTS

1 pound sour cherries, stemmed

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup water

Strips of zest from 1/2 lemon

Strips of zest from 1/2 orange

Gin Sling

2 cups gin

2/3 cup Cointreau

2/3 cup fresh lime juice

2 1/4 cups sour-cherry syrup

Angostura bitters

Ice

Sparkling water

Lime wheels and fresh cherries, for garnish

DIRECTIONS
1. Make the sour-cherry syrup: In a large saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar, water and citrus zests and bring to a boil.
2. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes.
3. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids; you should have 2 1/2 cups. Let cool.
4. Make the gin slings: In a pitcher, combine the gin with the Cointreau, lime juice, sour-cherry syrup and a few dashes of bitters and stir well.
5. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each drink with sparkling water. Garnish with the lime wheels and fresh cherries and serve.

from Food & Wine via YumSugar.