In 1912, Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted Washington D.C. 3,000 cherry trees to show the friendship between the US and Japan. Each year in early spring, we celebrate the blossoming of the cherry trees with festivals. These beautiful blossoms and sweet-tart fruits quickly promoted a love for cherries in the US.
When I was little, I loved the cherry pies in cartoons. While Minnie Mouse cut the first slice, the steam from the holes in the lattice made me endlessly want anything with cherries. Unfortunately, living in South Florida was more about oranges than the sweet little red fruits. I am grateful to say that I currently live in Georgia, where Cherry Blossom Festivals happen every spring, and in June, our markets are full of shiny red cherries. You can even go to a cherry farm and pick the cherries yourself! Through these festivals and my husband’s love of cherries, I have learned many ways to incorporate cherry flavor into different things. Since cherries are only here for two-three months out of the year, how can you get your cherry fix? Tart cherry juice, of course!
I have three simple recipes that any cherry lover will love.
Tart Cherry Juice Limeade
One of my favorite summer cool-down drinks! You can make this sparkling or flat to enjoy by the pool or binging your new favorite show. You can even make it into a cocktail if you’d like. This tart cherry limeade can be made with fresh cherry juice or a bottle of store-bought tart cherry juice. This recipe will make you enough to fill a 32-ounce pitcher. You will need ¼ cup of white sugar, 1.5 limes, 1.5 tablespoons (4.5 teaspoons) of tart cherry juice, 2 cups of water, and two cups of ice. Wash the limes and cut them into halves. With a hand held citrus juicer, squeeze the lime juice into the pitcher. Add in the ¼ cup of sugar and mix. Add in the cherry juice and mix. Then add in the water and of course mix that as well! Lastly, the most important part for summer add in the ice. I like to use the remaining lime to garnish the side of my glass. Enjoy!
Tart Cherry Juice Balsamic Salad Dressing
A super simple salad dressing that you’ll love all year round. You can use it on an easy side salad or an entree salad. I’ve even used it to glaze grilled chicken while on the grill! Sprinkle with some feta and chef’s kiss! You will need 2.5 tablespoons of Tart Cherry Juice, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1.5 tablespoons of white sugar, ¼ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoons of Dijon mustard, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. You can make this in a small food processor by adding in all the ingredients besides the olive oil. Once everything is mixed thoroughly by pulsing then you can drizzle in the olive oil and pulse a few more times. If you do not have a food processor then no problem! Add everything into a jar or seal tight tupperware. Give it a quick stir and then shake to your heart’s content until everything is evenly mixed.
Tart Cherry Juice Chia Yogurt
This simple treat is jam-packed with not only goodness but flavor as well. One of the things I like the most about this tart cherry juice chia yogurt is that you can make it ahead and enjoy it for a few days. It is a quick breakfast, snack, or even a dessert. This recipe is for one yogurt so it is very easy to double or triple. You will need 3 tablespoons of chia seeds, ¾ cup of coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of tart cherry juice, and an optional ingredient would be a pinch of roasted coconut crisps. Add the chia seeds, coconut milk, and vanilla extract into a jar and mix together. Let sit in the fridge overnight. Then add in the tart cherry juice and top with the coconut crisps to enjoy. You can even add fresh cherries if they are in season! You will love this one so much you’ll be dying to make more.
I hope you will love these tart cherry juice recipes and you are able to enjoy them year around.
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