Birthdays are the perfect excuse to eat good food, and America’s birthday is no exception! As we celebrate the fourth of July this week, here are some cherry recipes to try as you gather with friends and family. It’s peak cherry season, so now is the time to try them!
Cherry Cocktail Recipes
Start your holiday party off with a bang! These cherry cocktails are fun alternatives to classic summer drinks like margaritas. Some of them use fresh cherries, while others use maraschino cherries—it’s hard to go wrong with cherries!
- Fresh Cherry Margarita – This cherry spin on a summer favorite is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
- Bourbon Cherry Cocktail – This cocktail is sweetened with maple syrup and infused with lemon and cherry.
- Cherry Vodka Sour – This tangy cocktail is the perfect way to cool off this July 4th.
- Ginger Cherry Smash – If you love ginger, try this cherry cocktail.
Savory Cherry Recipes
If you’re looking to add a little taste of cherry to the main part of your meal, check out these recipes. It’s a great way to branch out of classic cookout food. And if you love bacon, you’re definitely going to want to try the last recipe in the list!
- Cherry Barbecue Sauce – Summer is the time for barbecues, so why not add a cherry twist to your BBQ sauce? Trust us, it’s a game changer.
- Balsamic Cherry Crostini – These cherry crostinis with goat cheese are the sweet and savory appetizer that everyone will enjoy.
- Steak with Fresh Cherry Sauce – This cherry sauce is made with red wine, Dijon mustard, honey, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs…yum!
- Bacon-wrapped Cherries – This recipe is a bacon lover’s dream. It calls for maraschino cherries, but try with fresh and see how they are!
Cherry Dessert Recipes
No birthday celebration is complete without dessert, in our opinion. Thankfully, cherries and dessert are the perfect pair.
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars – Take a chocolate chip bar, add cherries, and enjoy!
- Cherry Pie Crumb Bars – These cherry pie bars are perfect to bring to a summer cookout.
- Cherry Jamboree – Cherries and cream cheese? Say no more!
- Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake – In case you need a little more chocolate with your cherries, try this dessert.
Looking for even more cherry recipes? Check out these fresh cherry recipes. And if you’re near the Grand Rapids area this month, be sure to stop by our orchard to pick your own fresh cherries! We’ll warn you, though: once you have fresh-picked cherries, it’s hard to go back to anything else!