Drunk cherries

I love fruit, but maybe you remember I can't eat them raw. I can eat fruit when it's been cooked a little, or frozen, or processed in some way. We have a cute little farmers market down the street from me once a week in the afternoons, so I stopped and picked up some cherries. It's cherry season! I thought about cherry pie, but thought I'd give you a break between pie/tart things.

Instead, we're having drunk cherries. I cleaned the cherries, left them with their pits, and made a liquor simple syrup. They're sitting in the fridge for a few days, but they can stay there for a few weeks. If these last that long in your house. Eat them out of the jar, in cocktails, spooned over some angel food cake, over ice cream, or just in a bowl with a little cream and some cookies on the side. This is also something easy and quick that would make a good hostess gift, if you're looking for something besides a bottle of wine or a cake.

Drunk Cherries

2 1/2 c cherries, pitted or with pits, whichever you want

1 c sugar

1 c water

1/4 c orange liquor

1/4 c tequila or rum

1 t vanilla

Wash the cherries, and fill up a quart sized jar with them. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, orange liquor, tequila, and vanilla. Heat over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring, let boil for 2 minutes, and pour the hot syrup over the cherries. Cover and let sit in the fridge for a few days or a week, then enjoy when you need a little pick me up.