Spring brings the sweet aroma of cherry blossoms, and this cocktail captures their delicate essence in a glass.
This easy-to-make cherry blossom cocktail mixes sake, cherry liqueur, and a splash of lemon juice to create a light pink drink that tastes like springtime.
The drink takes only five minutes to prepare and needs just four ingredients.
Its subtle floral notes and gentle sweetness make it perfect for garden parties, bridal showers, or any spring celebration.
This recipe works well for both small gatherings and large events.
Guests can watch the drink change color as it’s mixed, creating a fun and memorable experience.
Cherry Blossom Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Coupe or martini glass
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Bar spoon
- Ice
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz cherry liqueur
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2-3 drops rose water
- Ice for shaking
- Fresh cherry or edible flower for garnish
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add gin, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and rose water to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Double strain through a Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry or edible flower.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
The Cherry Blossom Cocktail offers a bright, sweet-tart flavor profile with floral undertones. The mixture of gin and cherry liqueur creates a smooth base that carries the drink.
Sakura syrup adds a subtle floral sweetness that reminds many of fresh spring blossoms. The lemon juice brings a crisp citrus note that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Key Flavor Elements:
- Sweet cherry notes from the liqueur
- Light floral hints from sakura syrup
- Crisp citrus from fresh lemon
- Botanical gin undertones
The drink has a silky texture and a pale pink color that makes it visually appealing. When served cold, it becomes refreshingly light on the palate.
A gentle vanilla aroma rises from the glass, mixing with cherry and floral scents. The finish is clean with a slight warmth from the gin and a lingering cherry essence.
The cocktail tastes best when served at 38-40°F (3-4°C). At this temperature, the flavors blend while staying distinct enough to identify each component.
Substitute
Can’t find cherry liqueur? No problem. Maraschino cherry juice works great as a replacement.
Mix 2 tablespoons of the juice from a jar of maraschino cherries into the cocktail.
Other sweet red liqueurs can work in place of cherry liqueur. Try using Chambord (raspberry liqueur) or crème de fraise (strawberry liqueur).
These give a different but tasty fruit flavor.
For a non-alcoholic version, mix equal parts cherry juice and lemon-lime soda. Add a splash of grenadine for extra sweetness and color.
Common Cherry Liqueur Substitutes:
- Maraschino cherry juice
- Chambord
- Crème de fraise
- Cherry juice + lemon-lime soda
- Grenadine
The drink might look slightly different with these substitutes, but the pink color and sweet taste will still make it feel like spring.
Pro tip: Add an extra maraschino cherry as garnish when using the juice substitute. This adds more cherry flavor and keeps the classic look.