Aviation

Woo! I found real maraschino cherries!

Real = not that nuclear-red dyed shit. If it comes on top of an ice cream sundae, it's not a real maraschino cherry, it's pumped full of red dye and corn syrup. Tastes like it, too.

Real maraschino cherries actually taste like cherries, and are dark, dark red--in dim bar light, sometimes they look like olives. But they taste so gooooood, and no red dye or corn syrup in sight. I had a plan to make my own this summer, but I found a jar by Luxardo in a fancy cheese shop and jumped on the opportunity.

Luxardo also makes maraschino liqueur, which tastes nothing like either real or fake maraschino cherries. It's clear, and in taste resembles a slightly fruity grappa. It's strong. And is one of the key ingredients (in making your own maraschino cherries, but also in) the classic drink called the Aviation.

2 parts gin

1 part maraschino liqueur

1 part fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Shake, serve in well-chilled glass with a (real) maraschino cherry.