Summer Fest: Cherries

First it was Eggplant, followed by Peaches and Cream Cheesecake. Cucumbers came shortly after and now Food Network’s Summer Fest is all about Cherries! Those gorgeous, plump red fruits that are delicious in pies, breads, cookies and now…frozen drinks!

Nothing beats the heat more than an ice cold beverage and what better way to get tons of vitamins and nutrients than by making an all-natural Cherry Frozen Drink? Spiked with Brandy and Vanilla specks, this libation will cool you down during those days when the sun decides to shine aggressively! Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

Cherry Cooler
Ingredients
2 cups fresh cherries, pitted*
2 tablespoons Brandy
1/8 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Powder

Method

1. Freeze cherries for about an hour. This avoids having to put ice cubes in your drink, thus diluting it.
2. In a blender, pour in semi-frozen cherries, brandy and Vanilla Bean Powder. 
3. Blend until smooth and serve!

*If using US Cherries, you’ll just have to pit the cherries before freezing for an hour. Dominican Cherries are much different than their US sisters, with the pits stuck to the flesh. When using Dominican cherries, you’ll have to go through a slightly method:

1. Blend the fresh cherries and strain to remove pits. Place in shallow pan and semi-freeze. Pour into blender and pulse with brandy and Vanilla Bean Powder. 
2. Serve and Enjoy!

Need more Cherry Inspiration?

Sweet Life Bake: Honey-Tequila Pickled CherriesRecipe Girl: Cherry Limeade Pound Cake

Check back Thursday for the start of my special August series, about Vanilla in all it’s gorgeous shapes and forms: beans, powdered and liquid, sponsored by Beanilla.