Sour Cherry Lemonade

2 pounds fresh sour cherries, 

  pitted, or 6 cups frozen & 

  thawed cherries

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

8 cups club soda

3 cups lemon juice

Vodka, optional

To make the syrup: 

Simmer those lovely cherries with the sugar, water and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the cherries are broken down and juicy with liquid like thin maple syrup. This should take about 30 minutes. Cool the mixture slightly and strain through a very fine mesh sieve. There will be approximately 2 cups of cherry syrup. Reserve the cherry solids for muffins or something fabulous (freeze for another day).

To make the lemonade: 

Combine lemon juice, sugar and cherry syrup. Stir vigorously to combine. Right before serving, slowly add 8 cups of club soda and then stir gently. In a rocks glass, pour this combination over a generous amount of ice. Top with 2 tablespoons of vodka, per glass, if desired. 

Serves 20 (in a 10 oz. rocks glass filled halfway with ice)

By Kate Bolt, LivingLark.com

(Credit to the original recipe from Martha Stewart Living, date unknown.)