Cherry Pie Cocktail

You can turn just about any dessert into a cocktail, and this cherry pie cocktail is a prime example. It’s bursting with the sweet and punchy flavor of a Michigan cherry pie recipe, accented with notes of maple, cinnamon and almond. Plus, the addition of RumChata makes it lusciously creamy, like a slice of warm cherry pie topped with melty vanilla ice cream on a hot summer’s day.

New to drink slinging? Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a certified mixologist or have the perfect home bar setup to master this summer cocktail. It requires just six ingredients and a few basic kitchen tools to prepare. The sweet taste and creamy consistency make this boozy dessert the perfect way to end an evening of dining al fresco with friends. Mix a few of these together and pass them around while you chat beneath the twinkling summer stars.

Cherry Pie Cocktail Ingredients

• Graham crackers: Adding a rim of crushed graham crackers to this drink elevates its presentation and makes it taste and smell even more like a real slice of cherry pie.
• RumChata: People often associate RumChata with the holiday season, but this sweet and fruity drink will have you buying the creamy liqueur even during the height of summer.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup is often used to sweeten cherry pie filling, making it the perfect choice for sweetening this cherry pie cocktail recipe.
• Cherry liqueur: There are tons of cherry liqueurs on the market. Our favorite choice for this drink is McGillicuddy’s Intense Cherry Liqueur. It has just the right balance of sweet and tart cherry flavors, and gives the cocktail a picture-perfect pink hue.
• Tart cherry juice: Boost the cherry flavor further with some fresh and fruity tart cherry juice. Bonus points if you can snag some from a local orchard.
• Maraschino cherries: We can’t think of a better way to garnish this cherry pie cocktail than with a few bright red maraschino cherries. If you’re feeling bougie, splurge on a jar of Luxardo maraschino cherries.
• Ice: This drink is best served chilled, so fill your glass to the brim with ice. If you’re feeling fancy, you could use a fancy ice cube tray to make large spheres or cubes.

Directions

Step 1: Rim the glass

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Moisten the edge of a rocks glass with cherry juice or maple syrup. Next, dip the rim of the glass into the graham cracker crumbs. Set the glass aside.

Step 2: Sweeten the Rumchata

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In a cocktail shaker, combine the RumChata with the maple syrup. Stir vigorously with a cocktail spoon or whisk until the mixture is emulsified.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t skip this crucial step. Cream-based liqueurs (like Irish cream and RumChata) tend to curdle when combined with acidic ingredients such as cherry juice. Sweetening them before adding anything acidic helps disrupt this process, so you end up with a silky, smooth cocktail every time.

Step 3: Mix with the remaining ingredients

Add the tart cherry juice and cherry liqueur to the sweetened RumChata, then stir again to combine.

Editor’s Tip: If you have a shaker in your cocktail kit, you can give the drink a shake instead of a stir at this stage. Shaking the cocktail will incorporate air, resulting in a smoother, frothier consistency.

Step 4: Pour, garnish and sip

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Fill your prepared glass with ice and then pour the cocktail into the glass. Garnish the cocktail with maraschino cherries (or another type of cherry) and enjoy.

Editor’s Tip: For a splash of color, perk up your ice cubes by freezing sliced cherries into them.

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Cherry Pie Cocktail Variations

• Use vodka: If you like vodka, you can swap the McGillicuddy’s for your favorite cherry-flavored vodka. We also tested this drink with UV cherry vodka, and it offered an equal amount of cherry punch but with a little extra sweetness.
• Mellow out the cherry: If you want a more mature and nuanced cherry pie flavor, splurge on a bottle of Luxardo maraschino liqueur. It’s made with the cherry fruit, pits and stems, so it adds some woody, botanical flavors to the drink.
• Add extra sweetness: If you like your drinks extra sweet, consider adding up to 1-1/2 ounces of amaretto to the cocktail. The almond flavor pairs perfectly with cherry.
• Consider a maple syrup alternative: If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, you can swap another sweetener. Try an equal amount of honey, simple syrup or the brown sugar syrup from this copycat Starbucks brown sugar shaken espresso recipe.
• Try a different garnish: A dusting of cinnamon, a cinnamon stick or a pie crust cookie would also make delightful garnishes for a cherry pie cocktail.

Can you make cherry pie cocktails ahead of time?

This is one drink that we don’t recommend making too far in advance. Cream-based drinks have a tendency to curdle, and will separate if they sit for an extended period of time. For the best taste, mix up a cherry pie cocktail just before you enjoy it. If you’re looking for a make-ahead option, margaritas, sangrias and mojitos are all good batch cocktails.

Cherry Pie Cocktail Tips

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What’s the best type of glass for a cherry pie cocktail?

Our favorite glass for a cherry pie cocktail is a classic rocks glass or an old-fashioned glass. These are just two types of cocktail glasses every home bar should have.

Why did my cherry pie cocktail curdle?

Drinks made with cream-based liqueurs or dairy (like a peaches and cream margarita), will often curdle when mixed with acidic ingredients. While it usually does the trick to sweeten a cream-based liqueur first before combining it with anything acidic, you can still sometimes experience curdling if your ratios are off.

Another trick to try is to start with chilled RumChata. Using a cold cream-based liqueur straight from the refrigerator can also help prevent the cocktail from curdling. If all else fails, give the cocktail a quick shake in a cocktail shaker before serving. This will help further emulsify the ingredients, preventing or slowing the drink from curdling.

Is it safe to drink a curdled cocktail?

Yes, in most cases it’s totally safe to drink a freshly made cocktail that has curdled. The texture of the drink will just be slightly less pleasant than if it were perfectly smooth.