Black Cherry Cola

"Grey Goose Cherry Noir"

                                                      

Some months ago on a sleepless night I wandered down to my living room at 2:00 am and picked up a Forbes magazine. Too tired to actually read, but too awake to sleep I simply thumbed through the pages looking at all the nice advertisements for cars and watches I'll never own. About halfway through the magazine I turned a page and found a large ad for Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka. For those of you who do not appreciate, or possess a love of fine spirits it will be hard to explain how so very excited I became upon seeing this new product. I read every last word over and over along with the few recopies they added to tempt the pallet. I had been waiting for this top shelf brand to start infusing their product as I knew they would do it well. To be honest I wanted to skip work the next day and drive to New Hampshire just to see if I could get a bottle.

Well after many a month and much searching I finally got a fifth and decided that I would share with my friends one of the cocktails Grey Goose suggested in the original ad, called a Black Cherry Cola.

"Black Cherry Cola"

Black Cherry Cola

1 1/2 Parts Grey Goose Cherry Noir

3 1/2 Parts Cola

1/2 Part Grenadine

To make these is simple: Fill glass slightly above the rim with cubed ice, add in Vodka, then Cola and lastly the Grenadine in that order. Add a soda straw and garnish with a fresh cherry.

Stir the drink slightly with straw to mix ingredients, just a light spin should do it. If you over stir (which we all do) the carbonation tends to dissipate leaving you with a flat beverage.

As we live in the frozen northeast fresh cherries are hard to come by so when we got together on the 21st I had no garnish. However, the group seemed to approve, well, all except Brian who somehow has developed a "Moral Objection" (his words) to the spirit Vodka in any and all of its forms.

The flavor of this cocktail is rather sweet, with a slight herbal twist. Valerie said it tasted like a cherry cordial and most agreed. This drink will more than likely not become a standard for our game day gatherings until I can refine my portions correctly. I think I used too much grenadine in a couple and I failed to go gently on the stir. Practice makes perfect and though it will pain me greatly I will mix and consume until I have this one down to a science. A small sacrifice for my friends. Mike mentioned that the cocktail would be a great summer drink, and I agree, we'll leave it for warmer weather and sunny days to introduce once again.

"You got me straight trippin Boo"

Lastly I do not like the name of this cocktail. Black Cherry Cola is too generic to my liking, so I have decided to call these Queen Latifahs. Because they are black, sexy, and sweet just like she is. 

I am open to suggestions as to names of course so feel free to put in your two cents.

Cheers

AL