This 4 ingredient Cherry Bomb Mocktail is a flavor bomb! With sweet Michigan cherries, smokey whiskey bourbon, and bubbly lemon lime soda, it’s a refreshing mocktail perfect for cherry season.
Included are 3 reviews for non alcoholic whiskey bourbon and ways you can swap it out. You’ll also learn how to make this mocktail year around even if you don’t have fresh cherries.
I live in Michigan where we are obsessed with cherries! Many summer memories I have as a kid were going to the cherry farms with Grandma and Grandpa to pick fresh cherries. Actually, Michigan grows 70% of the United States’ supply and we have a week long festival in Traverse City dedicated to them.
This cherry mocktail is great if you want to enjoy fresh cherry flavor without heating up the oven or eating them plain. It mixes up in minutes, and it has a smoky, sweet flavor profile with tons of bubbles! If you don’t want to add the bourbon whiskey no problem, I have some good swaps for it.
For more cherry recipes, you may also want to try my smoky Cherry BBQ Sauce or these Cherry Blondies. They are buttery, fudgy, and so delicious.
Cherry Bomb Mocktail Ingredients
This cherry mocktail is 4 simple ingredients. Keep reading for notes on each ingredient with potential substitutions. Further down I give a few recipe variations as well.
- Fresh Cherries: Wash them well so you don’t get dirt and debris in your drink. You’ll also want to pit them and cut them in half or fours. I do not recommend subbing for frozen cherries.
- Non Alcoholic Whiskey Bourbon: I use Lyre’s American Malt because it’s light and toasty with no weird aftertaste. But keep reading because I review 3 options so you can choose the best spirit for you.
- Lemon Lime Soda: Adds a sweet, bubbly, citrus note. You can substitute it for fresh lime juice, but lemon lime soda tastes the best.
- Club Soda: This amps up the bubbles and flavor without adding more sugar and calories. You can also use tonic water (has calories) or other sparkling waters in it’s place.
- Garnishes: I chose to add a cherry and sprig of fresh mint.
You’ll also need some basic bar equipment, something to measure your liquids, a cocktail stirrer, and muddler for crushing the fresh cherries. As for glassware I like this cherry mocktail in lowball glasses, these are the ones in the pictures.
How to Make a Cherry Bomb Mocktail
This is a short summary of the steps. The recipe card below will have complete details.
1. MUDDLE TOGETHER the fresh cherries and non alcoholic whiskey bourbon. They should be lightly crushed and not pulverized, you just want the juices to be released.
2. ADD ICE AND POUR over the lemon lime soda then club soda.
3. STIR AND GARNISH with a cherry and sprig of fresh mint.
Top 3 Zero Proof Whiskey Bourbon Spirits
Before I get into my suggestions, I want you to know that depending on your taste preferences some will taste better than others. All zero proof spirits are unique and this is why I give multiple options. I want you to be able to find and choose the best one for you.
- Lyre’s American Malt is my go-to because it is on the lighter side with toasty notes of cedar and honey. It’s completely allergen free (dairy, nut, egg, and gluten), vegan, and only 11 calories per serving. There is no aftertaste with this one.
- Kentucky 74 Bourbon Whiskey Spirit is bold and made with real oak, vanilla, and smoke. It’s vegan and gluten free with only 15 calories per serving. It does have a spicy aftertaste to mimic alcohol, but it compliments the cherries well.
- Monday Whiskey has flavors of white oak, burnt sugar, and molasses. The best part is it’s zero calories, zero carbs, gluten free, and vegan. It also has a spicy aftertaste except it has a citrus finish.
Other Serving Options
This Cherry Bomb Mocktail is incredibly versatile and delicious. Here’s a few ways to make this mocktail work for you any time of year and for anyone.
SKIP THE WHISKEY BOURBON. Depending on where you are at in your non alcoholic lifestyle or what you have on your bar cart, you may want to leave the whiskey bourbon out. You can use a splash of cola or leave it out all together. It’s also a great option if your kids want to enjoy a drink with you.
SWAP THE FRESH CHERRIES. If cherries are out of season and you’re craving a cherry mocktail, you can add an ounce or two of cherry simple syrup or cherry juice. I do not recommend using frozen cherries, unless they are fresh cherries you froze. The ones in bags from the store are too watery and lack flavor.
More Mocktail Recipes You Might Enjoy:
Cherry Bomb Mocktail
INGREDIENTS
- 6 fresh cherries - washed, pitted, and cut in half or fours
- 2 ounces non alcoholic whiskey bourbon - Lyre's American Malt, more recommendations below
- 3 ounces lemon lime soda
- 2 ounces club soda
- fresh mint - optional garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- To a lowball glass add fresh cherries and non alcoholic whiskey bourbon. Lightly crush with a muddler until the juices are released.
- Add lemon lime soda and club soda, stir until everything is incorporated.
- Garnish with a cherry and sprig of fresh mint. Sip and enjoy!
RECIPE NOTES
3 Zero Proof Whiskey Bourbon Options
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- Lyre’s American Malt is on the lighter side with toasty notes of cedar and honey, plus no aftertaste. It’s allergen free (dairy, nut, egg, and gluten), vegan, and only 11 calories.
- Kentucky 74 Bourbon Whiskey Spirit is bold and made with real oak, vanilla, and smoke. It’s vegan and gluten free with only 15 calories per serving. It does have a spicy aftertaste to mimic alcohol.
- Monday Whiskey has the spicy aftertaste and flavors of white oak, burnt sugar, and molasses. The best part is it’s zero calories, zero carbs, gluten free, and vegan.
Ingredient Swaps
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- FOR THE WHISKEY BOURBON. Use a splash of cola or leave it out all together.
- FOR THE FRESH CHERRIES. If cherries are out of season, you can cherry simple syrup (1 ounce) or cherry juice (2 to 3 ounces). I do not recommend using frozen cherries, unless they are fresh cherries you froze.
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
