Ingredients

The following ingredients have 2 Servings
  • 3 ounces (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice (plus the juice of 1 lemon for sugaring the glass rims)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup dried cherries
  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) good Cognac ((VS but not VSOP) )
  • 3 ounces (1/3 cup) Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
  • Ice

Instruction

  • Pour the juice of 1 lemon into a shallow bowl and place the sugar on a small plate. Dip the rim of 2 highball or martini glasses first in the lemon juice and then in the sugar. Set them aside to dry.
  • In a small bowl, combine the dried cherries with 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Cognac and microwave on high for 60 seconds. (Alternatively, heat the Cognac in a small saucepan until it comes to a bare simmer. Remove from the heat, add the cherries, and set aside to plump.)
  • Combine the 3 ounces lemon juice with the remaining 4 ounces Cognac, the Grand Marnier, and 1 teaspoon marinated cherry liquid. Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice and pour in the cocktail mixture. Shake the mixer for a full 30 seconds (it’s longer than you think!) and strain into the prepared glasses, whether straight up or over ice. Thread 3 or 4 marinated cherries onto each of 2 skewers. Serve each drink with a skewer of cherries.