Sour-Cherry Gin Slings

• MAKE-AHEAD

Sour-cherry Syrup

1. 1 pound sour cherries, stemmed
2. 3/4 cup sugar
3. 1 cup water
4. Strips of zest from 1/2 lemon
5. Strips of zest from 1/2 orange

Gin Sling

1. 2 cups gin
2. 2/3 cup Cointreau
3. 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
4. 2 1/4 cups sour-cherry syrup
5. Angostura bitters
6. Ice
7. Sparkling water
8. Lime wheels and fresh cherries, for garnish

1. MAKE THE GIN SLINGS: In a large saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar, water and citrus zests and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids; you should have 2 1/2 cups. Let cool.
2. In a pitcher, combine the gin with the Cointreau, lime juice, sour-cherry syrup and a few dashes of bitters and stir well. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each drink with sparkling water. Garnish with the lime wheels and fresh cherries and serve.