In the words of Ms Polka Dot herself (via twitter) “The best thing about December is the cherries!”. I wholeheartedly agree, but I’d like to add that cherries, muddled with vodka. lime and mint are even better! So, after a cherry picking expedition with the kids all systems were go to create this lovely yuletide beverage…

Ingredients:

5 fresh cherries (pitted) plus an extra 2 for the garnish

1 tablespoon caster sugar

3 mint leaves

1/2 a lime cut into 4 slices

2 oz (60ml) vodka of choice. You can adjust this quantity to taste.

2 oz (60ml) tonic water

1/2 a cup of crushed ice

Method:

1. Place the lime pieces, sugar, leaves and pitted cherries in a cocktail shaker. Use your muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to squash the limes and cherries – careful not to over squash.

2. Pour the vodka and tonic water into the shaker, together with the crushed ice and give it a shake.

3. Pour into a glass and garnish with cherries passed onto a bamboo skewer. It’s amazing how these fresh cherries are enough to create this gorgeous red colour!

4. Enjoy (at least 2) and Merry Christmas!