cherryblossom

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The annual Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off in Washington D.C. on Thursday and it’s a sure sign that Spring is really here. Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Japan to the city of Washington, D.C. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries.

 

Naturally, we want to celebrate this festival the best way that we know how: with cocktails, Here are some great cherry blossom-themed cocktail recipes that will give you a real taste of Spring.

 

Haru’s Cherry Blossom Cocktail

 

Haru is a big time Japanese restaurant in New York and this is their authentic Cherry Blossom Cocktail.

 

  • In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add 2 oz. Svedka Cherry, 1 1/2 oz. Nigori Sake, 1/2 oz. cranberry juice, and 1/2 oz. peach puree.

 

  • Shake vigorously and strain into a cosmo glass.

 

  • Garnish with a cherry and a small cherry blossom flower.

 

Cherry Blossom Cocktail

 

The recipe above from Haru is more true to the Cherry Blossom Festival’s Japanese heritage, but if you still want to celebrate and don’t have sake or peach puree on hand, this cherry blossom cocktail recipe is perfect.

 

  • Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in 1 part Pucker Cherry Schnapps, 1 1/2 parts vodka, and a splash of grenadine. Fill to the top of the glass with pink lemonade.

 

  • Stir gently and garnish with a cherry.

 

District Cherry Blossom

 

This fun recipe was created by Marshall, a writer for Scoffslaws Den. He was inspired to make the District Cherry Blossom when he purchased a cherry shrub and thought of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

 

  • In an ice-filled cocktail shaker add 1 1/2 oz. London dry gin, 1 oz. cherry shrub, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, 1/4 oz. maraschino liqueur, 1/4 oz. lemon juice, and 2 dashes Bittermens Burlesque Bitters.

 

  • Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a chimney glass and add seltzer water.

 

  • Stir briefly to combine and garnish with mint.

 

Spring cocktails are in full bloom and we’re drinking up. Cheers.