Fragrant Homemade Cherry Wine Recipe
Homemade Cherry Wine Made with Seasonal Cherries
It’s cherry season! Markets are filled with delicious red fruits like cherries, plums, and mulberries. I spotted some beautiful cherries at the market and decided to make homemade cherry wine. Let me share the story of how I made this lovely wine with these gorgeous cherries.
Ingredients
- 300g Fresh Cherries
- 300ml Soju (20-25% alcohol)
- 150g White Sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Choosing Your Cherries: I found these lovely cherries at the market. They were beautifully displayed with a touch of green leaves, which really caught my eye. Their vibrant red color was so appealing.
Step 2
A Taste Test: I picked out a pack of the prettiest cherries and bought them for 2,000 won. I washed them and tried one. Wow! They were incredibly tart and delicious, which explained why they were packaged in smaller portions. They have a strong sourness, so feel free to adjust the sugar to your preference.
Step 3
Gather Your Ingredients: Now, let’s get ready to make the cherry wine. You’ll need ripe cherries, clean soju, and sugar to sweeten it.
Step 4
Wash and Dry the Cherries: First, thoroughly wash the cherries under running water. Make sure to remove any dirt. After washing, drain them in a colander and let them air dry completely. If you’re in a hurry, you can gently pat them dry with paper towels to ensure no moisture remains, as excess water can make the wine cloudy.
Step 5
Sterilize Your Jar: Prepare your glass jar by sterilizing it. You can do this by immersing it in boiling water. Make sure to sterilize the lid as well for optimal hygiene. (I used a small jar in the photo, but choose a size appropriate for your cherry quantity.)
Step 6
Fill the Jar with Cherries: Carefully place the dried cherries into the sterilized glass jar.
Step 7
Add Sugar: Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the cherries. Adding sugar helps to draw out the cherry’s natural juices and enhance its sweetness. A good starting ratio is 2 parts cherries to 1 part sugar.
Step 8
Infuse with Good Intentions: Wish your cherry wine well as you mix the sugar. (Though a verbal wish isn’t strictly necessary!)
Step 9
Pour in the Soju: Now, pour the soju into the jar, ensuring the cherries are fully submerged. Pour it in with a satisfying glug!
Step 10
Simply Done! Your homemade cherry wine is ready to be made! Now, let it age in a cool, dark place for about 1-2 weeks. The wine will develop a beautiful ruby color and a rich, aromatic flavor as the essence of the cherries infuses the soju.
