Perhaps it’s because my great grandparents were from Denmark, or perhaps it’s because there are three kinds of liquor involved, but I felt an immediate connection with this Danish version of the classic gin fizz. Its festive burgundy color and mildly sweet cherry flavor make it a great drink to serve at cocktail parties and during the holidays.
Kirsch is a clear brandy distilled from the fermented juice of black cherries, and Cherry Heering is a Danish cherry liqueur. Both can be found at specialty liquor stores.
2 ounces gin
1 teaspoon Kirsch
1/2 ounce cherry Heering
Squeeze of half a lime
1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
2 ounces sparkling water
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in gin, kirsch, cherry liqueur, limejuice, and sugar and shake well. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Stir in sparkling water and garnish with a slice of lime. Skaal!
