“Patience is a noble virtue,” President George Washington once wrote in a letter to Commodore John Rodgers in June of 1783. “And when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward.”
Were these wise words written about George Washington’s favorite cherry treat? No. But they could have been. George Washington’s favorite drink takes a lot of patience—several months, in fact.
While we’re wrapping up cherry season, head to your local farmers’ market or cherry orchard and pick up some of the ripest, juiciest, and most gorgeous cherries available to make George Washington’s favorite drink: Cherry Bounce.
Cherry trees can be found throughout the greater Washington D.C. area, including Fairfax County, Virginia, where George Washington’s historic home, Mount Vernon, lies along the Potomac River. Cherries were abundant, so making Cherry Bounce was likely easy and accessible. In papers that can be found in the Library of Congress, First Lady Martha Washington even wrote about the beloved drink.
According to The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Cherry Bounce was such a favorite of George Washington’s that he “packed a canteen of it, along with Madeira wine and port, for a trip west across the Allegheny Mountains in September 1784.” And just last year, archaeologists unearthed 35 bottles of cherries and other berries—29 of them perfectly preserved—at Mount Vernon.
The historic beverage is still popular today, and makes the perfect holiday gift for friends and family. But you have to start now.
What Is Cherry Bounce?
Cherry Bounce, which dates back centuries, is a delightful cordial made with tart cherries, sugar, and a liquor—often brandy or whiskey. Though vodka is now a popular option. Over several months, cherries are infused into the alcohol and are sweetened with the addition of sugar. Some variations include aromatic whole spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, or cinnamon sticks.
In some parts of the country, such as Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, Cherry Bounce is a common drink, especially around the holidays. It’s prepared in the summer during peak cherry season, and is stored for several months while the flavor deepens and sweetens—resulting in an incredibly strong, somewhat syrupy cherry liqueur. It can be sipped by itself, served over ice, or (most commonly) paired with a lemon-lime soda for a tasty but strong cocktail.
A bottle or jar of homemade Cherry Bounce tied with a bow (and perhaps some fun cocktail glasses) makes a great gift for the holidays. Plus, it shows your loved ones you were thinking about them way back in the summer.
The best thing about making Cherry Bounce is that you get extra liquor-soaked cherries alongside the cordial. Those delicious, little boozy treats are great for cocktails, and can be used in desserts like an upside-down cake or atop a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
How To Make Cherry Bounce
Nancy Carter Crump’s book, “Dining With the Washingtons,” features a vintage Cherry Bounce recipe with some extra add-ins and flair. But for an easy, simplified version, our Door County Cherry Bounce recipe only requires three ingredients: cherries, sugar, and alcohol. Cherry Bounce fan, @innkeepercaroline, recently shared a similar recipe on Instagram with the same measurements. Our recipe calls for vodka while Caroline’s uses whiskey.
To make Cherry Bounce, add fresh, pitted cherries to a 1-quart jar or bottle with an air-tight lid. Next, add sugar and then an alcohol of your choice—making sure to cover the cherries entirely.
Seal and set aside in a cool, dark place for at least a couple of weeks—but a couple of months is even better. Occasionally, shake the jar gently.
Serve at room temperature and refrigerate once opened.
Dining and Cooking