Hungarian Sour Cherry and Lime Cooler with Fresh Mint over Crushed Ice

Combine the pitted sour cherries, sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh sour cherries, pitted (or 2 cups frozen, thawed)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 large sprig fresh mint, plus more to serve
• 6 ounces palinka or vodka
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling water
• Crushed ice, to fill
• 1 lime, cut into wheels, for garnish
• 8 whole fresh cherries, for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the pitted sour cherries, sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, pressing the cherries against the side of the pan with a spoon, until they collapse and the syrup turns deep ruby.
3. Take the pan off the heat, drop in the mint sprig and let the syrup steep and cool for 20 minutes, then fish out and discard the mint before it turns bitter.
4. Strain the syrup through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing firmly on the solids to extract every bit of juice, then chill it thoroughly for at least 1 hour.
5. Stir the lime juice and palinka into the cold cherry syrup and taste; sour cherries vary enormously, so add a splash more lime if it leans sweet.
6. Pack four tall glasses to the top with crushed ice, which keeps the drink cold without diluting it as fast as cubes.
7. Divide the cherry mixture between the glasses, filling each about two-thirds full.
8. Top each glass with chilled sparkling water and stir once, gently, just enough to marble the color without knocking out the fizz.
9. Garnish with a lime wheel, two whole cherries and a fresh mint sprig, slapping the mint between your palms first to release its oils.
10. Meggy, the Hungarian sour cherry, is a different fruit from the sweet cherries most markets sell, and its sharp acidity is why it dominates Hungarian summer cooking from cold soups to preserves. This cooler leans on that natural tartness so it needs far less sugar than it looks like it should, and the same syrup keeps in the fridge for a week for anyone who wants to build drinks to order. If sour cherries have already come and gone at your market, sweet cherries work with an extra squeeze of lime.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 248 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 34g
• Sodium: 15mg