Cool Summer Ideas for Sweet Mountain Bing Cherries

The best part of warm, lazy summer days may just be sweet mountain Bing cherries. These delicious ruby red orbs are at their peak from June to August and are readily available at your grocer or from various online retailers. And while Bing cherries are delicious enjoyed right out of hand, consider adding them to some of your favorite summertime treats and cool off cherry-style.

The kids will love fresh Bing Cherry Lemonade. Make a simple syrup by combining one cup sugar and one cup water in a small saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves and add one cup pitted sweet mountain Bing cherries. Bring mixture to a boil and allow to cook until cherries begin to soften (about 2-3 minutes). Set aside to cool. Once cooled, strain the cherry juice into a large pitcher, mashing the cherries to release all the juice. Add one cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and six cups of cold water. Stir in one cup of pitted and halved fresh Bing cherries. Pour over ice and serve.

While the kids are enjoying their Bing cherry lemonade, adults will want to indulge in delicious Cherry Mojitos. First, make a simple syrup by combining 1 1/4 cups each of granulated sugar and water in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. In a medium non-reactive bowl combine 1 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice and three pounds of pitted and halved sweet mountain Bing cherries. Stir in syrup. Refrigerate for at least one hour and up to overnight. In a punch bowl, combine Bing cherry mixture and 18 ounces of black cherry or plain vodka. Fill glasses with ice. Spoon 1/2 cup of cherry-vodka mixture over ice and top with sparkling water or club soda. Enjoy immediately!

Forget sweet, heavy desserts. What could be more refreshing than cool cherry ice? In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup of your favorite dry white wine, 1/3 cup honey and two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (Meyer lemons are especially good). Set aside. Pit two cups of sweet mountain Bing Cherries and place in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add to bowl with liquid mixture and stir to blend. Pour into a shallow metal plan and place in freezer. About every 10 minutes, stir the mixture until slushy and partly solidified. Spoon into serving cups or glasses and garnish with whole cherries.