Roasted cherry gin sodas are a bright, refreshing summer cocktail. Roasting cherries with a touch of maple syrup and a scrape of vanilla deepens their natural sweetness and adds warm, layered flavor. Those cherries are then muddled with fresh lemon juice and a measure of gin (or vodka) and finished with tonic or soda water for effervescence. The result is a light, balanced drink that highlights fresh cherry flavor without being overly sweet.
Craving other spritzy cocktails? Try similar recipes such as strawberry tequila sodas or a classic Italian soda for different fruit-forward variations.
Gin Sodas
When the weather warms up, a chilled cherry gin soda is an ideal way to cool off. Making your own roasted cherries at home is simple and rewards you with a cocktail that tastes fresher and more nuanced than anything from a bottle. The roasted cherries are tossed with maple syrup and vanilla before a quick stint in the oven; once cooled, they can be stored and used for several drinks over a few days.
This cherry gin soda is a light, flavorful summer cocktail. You can roast the cherries the day before a gathering so assembly is fast when guests arrive. For a complementary dessert pairing, serve these with a warm cherry pie or a simple cherry crisp for a true seasonal treat.
How to Make Cherry Gin Sodas
Start by roasting the cherries to concentrate their flavor and add a caramelized note. Halve and pit the cherries, toss them with maple syrup and the seeds from a vanilla bean (or a good-quality vanilla paste), and spread them on a parchment-lined sheet. Roast for a few minutes until they are soft and bubbling—this quick roast is enough to enhance sweetness without losing freshness.
To build the drink, muddle a small spoonful of roasted cherries in a glass with a splash of lemon juice to release juices and acidity. Add a shot of gin or vodka and fill the glass with ice. Top with tonic or soda water, stir gently, and garnish with a few roasted cherry halves or a twist of lemon if desired. The balance of tart lemon, sweet roasted cherries, and the botanical backbone of the gin makes this a versatile, crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Eden’s Helpful Recipe Tips
- Choose your spirit: gin adds herbal complexity, vodka keeps the drink cleaner and brighter, and light rum can bring a slightly tropical note.
- Choose tonic for a slightly bitter, rounded finish or soda water for a lighter, cleaner fizz. Adjust to taste.
- A cherry pitter makes prep much faster and keeps hands tidy—use one if you have it.
These drinks are easy to enjoy in the garden or to serve chilled at a casual afternoon gathering.
More Refreshing Summer Cocktails
- Gin and Jam Spritz
- Lemon Spritz
- Raspberry Margarita
- Gin Basil Smash
If you try this easy summer cocktail, please leave a comment and a rating—feedback helps refine the recipe and gives others confidence to try it.
Roasted Cherry Gin Sodas Recipe
Ingredients
Roasted Cherries
- 1 cup cherries, pitted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 whole vanilla bean, seeds scraped
Cherry Gin Sodas
- 1 1/2 tbsp roasted cherries, about 4 halves per glass
- 1 ounce gin, or vodka
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3 tbsp tonic water, or soda water
Instructions
Roasted Cherries
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into a bowl.
- Combine the vanilla seeds, vanilla pod, cherries, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Toss to coat.
- Spread the cherries on the baking sheet and roast 5–10 minutes, until soft and bubbling. Remove and let cool.
Cherry Gin Sodas Recipe
- Spoon 1½ tablespoons of roasted cherries (about four halves) into each glass and muddle with ½ ounce lemon juice.
- Add 1 ounce gin or vodka and fill the glass with ice.
- Top each glass with about 3 tablespoons tonic or soda water, stir gently, and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by adding more maple syrup or a touch of simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
- Choose tonic for a slightly bitter finish; choose soda for a lighter, cleaner fizz.
- If you don’t have a vanilla bean, a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste works well as a substitute.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0.3 g
Sugar: 21 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.
