Cherry Old Fashioned: A Colorado Twist on a Classic

Cherry Old Fashioned: A Colorado Twist on a Classic

When you bite into one of our Palisade cherries—whether it's an early-season Tieton, a classic Bing, or a sweet Rainier—you're tasting the result of three generations of Colorado farming expertise. But have you ever thought about elevating that cherry perfection into your new favorite cocktail?

The Cherry Old Fashioned takes everything you love about our hand-picked organic cherries and transforms them into a sophisticated drink that celebrates summer in a glass. It's rustic elegance at its finest, just like our orchards.

Why Black Bear Cherries Make the Difference

Not all cherries are created equal, especially when it comes to cocktails. Our cherries are picked between mid-June and early July at peak ripeness, selected for size, firmness, and that intense sweet flavor that can only come from fruit grown in Palisade's unique microclimate. When you muddle these beauties into a cocktail, you're getting pure, concentrated cherry flavor without any artificial syrups or additives.

The Recipe: Cherry Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 5-6 fresh Black Bear Bing or Tieton cherries (plus 2 for garnish)

• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon raw sugar)

• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

• 2 oz bourbon (we recommend something smooth like Buffalo Trace or Maker's Mark)

• Orange peel

• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In an old fashioned glass, muddle 4-5 cherries with the sugar cube and bitters until the cherries release their juice and the sugar begins to dissolve. You want to release that incredible cherry flavor while keeping some texture.

2. Add a large ice cube or several smaller ones to the glass.

3. Pour the bourbon over the ice and stir gently for about 30 seconds. You're not just mixing—you're letting those cherry juices marry with the bourbon's warmth.

4. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink by holding it over the glass and giving it a good twist. Run the peel around the rim, then drop it in.

5. Garnish with two fresh cherries on a cocktail pick. If you're feeling fancy, you can leave the stems on for that authentic orchard feel.

Pro Tips from the Farm

Use the right cherries. While any of our sweet cherry varieties work beautifully, Bing cherries give you that classic deep cherry flavor, while Rainiers offer a more delicate, honeyed sweetness. Tieton cherries hit right in the middle with a perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Don't over-muddle. You want to release the juices and break down the fruit, but you're not making jam. A gentle but firm muddle is all you need.

Fresh is everything. This is where Black Bear cherries shine. Because we pick and pack by hand, you're getting fruit at its absolute peak. Store your cherries in the refrigerator and use them within a week for the best cocktail results.

Make It Your Own

Once you've mastered the classic Cherry Old Fashioned, try these variations:

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned: Use a smoking gun or smoke the glass with applewood chips before mixing. The smoke pairs beautifully with both the cherries and bourbon.

Spiced Cherry Version: Add a dash of cardamom bitters along with the Angostura for a warming spice note.

Cherry-Thyme Old Fashioned: Muddle a small sprig of fresh thyme with the cherries for an herbaceous twist.

The Black Bear Difference

When you make cocktails with Black Bear cherries, you're not just mixing a drink—you're tasting the Colorado sun, the careful attention of farmers who've been perfecting their craft for over 40 years, and the pure, chemical-free goodness of certified organic fruit. It's the same fruit that won us recognition as growers of some of America's finest cherries.

This summer, when our cherry season hits (typically mid-June through early July), stock up on a few extra pounds. Some for fresh eating, some for preservation, and definitely some for cocktail hour. Your home bar will thank you.

Ready to elevate your cocktail game? Order your Black Bear cherries today and taste the difference that hand-picked, organic Colorado cherries make. From our family farm to your home bar—that's the Black Bear promise.