This Tart Cherry Daiquiri Mocktail is sweet and tart with a hint of citrus. This fun zero-proof cocktail can be enjoyed by adults and kids and makes for the perfect cool-down beverage.
Tart Cherry Daiquiri Mocktail
A daiquiri is a cocktail drink featuring rum, citrus juice, sugar, and a sweetener.
Today we’re replacing the rum with tart cherry juice or sparkling water to create a “mocktail” (a nonalcoholic or “zero-proof” drink) that everyone can enjoy! This daiquiri still has the quintessential citrus juice and a sweetener, but the real stars of this beverage are the dried tart cherries. Not only do they make this drink a total show-stopper as far as eye-appeal goes, but they also contribute an amazing sweet-sour flavor and plenty of potential health benefits.
Tart Cherries
Tart cherries –not to be confused with sweet cherries that you find in the produce section–are a superfruit with many science-based health benefits. And, as the weather continues to heat up, more of us are spending time outdoors and enjoying safe summertime celebrations, so this Tart Cherry Daiquiri is the perfect cool beverage to share.
How to make this Tart Cherry Daiquiri Mocktail
- Start by adding 10 dried tart cherries to each beverage glass.
- Add 100% tart cherry juice and allow the cherries to infuse the juice for 5 minutes. Then, muddle the cherries into the juice for a couple of minutes. The tart cherries will infuse the juice with an incredible sweet-sour flavor and richness.
- If you don’t have a muddler–yes, it’s a thing!–use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to mash and squish the cherries so they partially dissolve in the tart cherry juice or sparkling water.
- Add in freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Add in simple syrup (to taste). More on making simple syrup below.
- Enjoy with lots of ice and extra dried tart cherries for a garnish if desired.
Simple Syrup
If you’re not familiar with simple syrup, essentially it’s equal parts sugar and water heated together until dissolved. We add it to this Tart Cherry Daiquiri to add sweetness without a grainy texture. If we added plain sugar it wouldn’t dissolve and would make an unpleasant drinking experience.
Simple syrups have a good shelf life when prepared and stored properly. The syrup needs to be made with very hot water and stored in a sterile container in the fridge. Stored under these conditions, it should last for one month in the fridge.
Quick Tip
Add as much or as little simple syrup to the beverage. If you’d like it more on the tart side, add less. More on the sweet side? Add extra.
Recipe Tools
While you don’t need any of the below “tools,” they make the process easier; especially if you make a lot of drinks!
Tart Cherry Daiquiri Mocktail
Equipment
- Muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon or ladle
Ingredients
- 10 dried Montmorency tart cherries
- 1/4 cup 100% tart cherry juice or sparkling water
- 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup see note 1
- Lots of ice for serving
Instructions
- Add the 10 dried cherries to the bottom of the glass. Add the tart cherry juice on top and let stand for 5 minutes. Then press cherries thoroughly with a muddler (Don’t have a muddler? Use the handle of a sturdy wooden spoon or ladle.) This is important to really get a rich tart cherry flavor.
- Once cherries have been muddled, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and simple syrup (add to taste; you may want less or more depending on how sweet you like your drinks). Top the glass with lots of ice. Enjoy immediately, garnished with additional dried tart cherries if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
