Visinada (βυσσινάδα) : Greek Cherryade
Serves 12
10 mins prep
10 mins cook
20 mins total
This delicious Visinada is a popular summer drink in Greece. Made with fresh cherries, sugar, and water, this cherryade is perfect for a hot summer day.
Remove the cherry stems and pit the cherries. Add 4 cups of pitted cherries into a medium pot along with white sugar and water.
Turn to medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stir a few times to dissolve the sugar. Once boiling, turn to medium-low and keep at a simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and use a potato masher to crush / smash the cherries in the pot until broken down a bit. Let steep / sit for 20-25 minutes in the pot. After 20-25 minutes, pour through a strainer so you get the cherry syrup into a 26-28 oz jar.
*Save the cherry solids from the strainer as a delicious dessert (see below for ideas).*
Let the cherry syrup full cool in the jar and then store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
To make one cherryade drink add 1/4 cup cherry syrup to a tall glass and top with 1 cup sparkling water (optional: add some of the reserved cherry solids to the glass too). Stir and garnish with fresh cherries and fresh basil if desired.
