Yield: 4 cocktails

Cook Time: 2 days for the cherries; 15 minutes to assemble

INGREDIENTS

4 cups Bing cherries--washed, stems removed and pitted (2 pints)

2 cups bourbon

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (discard pod)

1½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 8 medium lemons)

1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 medium lemon)

1½ cups simple syrup (made with equal parts sugar and water)

Sparkling water

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the cherries, bourbon and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 days.

2. To make the cocktail: In a pitcher, stir together the lemon juice, lemon zest, ¾ cup of the prepared bourbon-cherry juice, reserving the cherries, and the simple syrup. Pour into individual glasses, top with sparkling water, garnish with reserved cherries and serve immediately.