Cherries have been a longtime favorite fruit. Not only are they tasty, but they're packed with antioxidants that are thought to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer. Cherries are fat-free and packed with vitamins, and some say that the minerals in 20 cherries can provide serious pain relief. There are many ways to enjoy them, including in juice form.
Instructions
1. Wash and pit all the cherries. Put the cleaned cherries and the sugar in a large saucepan. Cover and let sit at room temperature for two hours. This will help the cherries absorb the sweetness. (The final mixture will be diluted with water before you drink it.)
2. Add water. Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Move the pan to the stove, and bring the mixture to a boil. After simmering for 15 minutes, strain the liquid part of the mixture into another saucepan. Be sure to press all the moisture from the cherries before discarding them.
4. When you continue to simmer the liquid you've just strained from the solid remnants of the cherries, it will begin to thicken. Continue to boil it until it's the consistency of maple syrup. Once it has thickened, remove the pan from the stove and let it sit at room temperature to cool. Once cool, transfer it to a sealed container and store it n the refrigerator.
5. The syrup forms the base of your cherry juice. The final product is formed from a spoonful or two in a glass of sparkling water. You might have to experiment to get the right ratios of syrup to water, but once you begin to experiment you'll find it easy to adjust the amounts to individual tastes.
Tags: packed with, room temperature
