NY Cherry-Ginger Spritz Recipe

This classic New York–inspired spritzer hearkens back to red drink, also known as “red drank,” and has a rich history among West Africans and people of African heritage in the Americas.

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Serves 8

Ingredients

• 16 ounces unsweetened cherry juice
• 1 small knob ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 cup turbinado sugar
• 1 lemon, zested in wide strips
• 32 ounces seltzer water
• 32 cherries, pitted
• 1 lime or lemon, cut into 8 wedges

Directions

Bring the cherry juice, ginger, and sugar to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from the heat.

Add the lemon zest, then let the cherry-ginger juice steep for 20 minutes. Remove the lemon zest, then strain the cherry-ginger juice through a fine mesh sieve into a small pitcher or large measuring cup.Pour 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) of the cherry-ginger syrup into each of 8 highball glass. Fill the glasses with ice, then top off with 4 ounces of seltzer water. Skewer 4 cherries and garnish each drink. Serve with a lime or lemon wedge. Cheers!

Cook With Chef Todd

Cover photography by Clay Williams; Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

Two more recipes from Roots, Heart, Soul for AARP members to try:

Hot and Spicy Crawfish Boil

This Jamaican-Louisianan-style crawfish boil, paired with collard green spring rolls and NY Cherry-Ginger Spritz, offers a hat tip to Caribbean, Chinese and Black cultures.

Collard Green Spring Rolls

These crispy, spicy Chinatown-style spring rolls are made with traditional Southern greens.

Read about Todd Richards’ book, Roots, Heart, Soul.