Sour Cherry Salty Dog

Every Friday for the rest of the Summer I will post a fun cocktail that celebrates the end of the week and ties into what we are cooking on the show. I will use fresh herbs and fruits that are in season, and keep it as fresh and simple as possible. Today's cocktail is the Sour Cherry Salty Dog. This morning I found Sour Cherry juice at the Union Square farmers market for $2, and bought a pint of sour cherries for $3. The only other thing you need are fresh limes and some salt. DJ Theresa had given me a Petal Power Salt grinder (with lavender, rose, calendula, and chamomile petals), which is what gives the salty rim its colorful specks. I double-lined the rim with honey and lime, to give extra flavor and balance out the sour and salt.

Sour Cherry Salty Dog

Freshly ground coarse salt
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ ounces vodka
3 ounces sour cherry juice
1 lime, juiced (or two key limes)
Ice
Garnish: 2 sour cherries

Spread enough salt on a small plate to line the rims of 2 cocktail glasses. Dab the honey across another small plate. Run the juiced lime rind around the rim of the glasses, then invert the glass over the plate with honey. Coat the rim in honey, and then repeat with the plate of salt.
Combine the vodka, cherry juice, and lime in a martini shaker. Add ice and shake up well. Pour into the two salt-rimmed glasses. Garnish with the sour cherries and serve. Makes 2 cocktails.

The same recipe above can also be found in our recipe bank.