The cherry gimlet is without a doubt my favourite sweet cocktail. I’ve come to realise that I have a favourite savoury (dry gin martini with three olives) sour (classic margarita) and sweet cocktail (see above). News Cafe used to make them, but I’ve never found them anywhere else. So I dug around on the interwebs and found myself a recipe.

I’m posting it today, since it’s the 13-year anniversary of my spinal fusion. Because it was so close to my birthday I met a few friends at the News Cafe in Rivonia for an early celebration.

The Cherry Gimlet

30 ml Rose’s Lime Cordial
15 ml Cherry Liqueur
45 ml Vodka

Shake everything together with some ice, then strain into an ice-filled glass.

Garnish with Maraschino cherries (the more the better)

Photo courtesy of Nafisa – always with the sneaky pics 😉

I’m curious about trying it with various cherry-infused spirits – vodka or gin. And I’m wondering whether it would work to eliminate the liqueur if you muddle some Maraschino cherries, maybe add an extra dash of vodka. Do you think that would be sweetness overkill? I suppose there’s only one way to find out.