Well, my mom probably would have given me one or two, but she's a pretty bad example.
The cherries absorb some of the liquor and they give up flavor to the alcohol, too, so you end up with boozy cherries for your cocktails as well as a cherry liqueur that you can use in drinks.
It's a two-fer.
I used frozen cherries because fresh ones are out of season. When they are in season, fresh cherries would sure as heck be better.
Once you've made these, you can adjust the spices and the sweetness the way you like. Have fun with it!
Cocktail Cherries
1 pound frozen pitted sweet cherries
6 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
1 star anise
1 tablespoon almond extract
1/4 cup cherry mosto cotto
1 cup vodka
1/4 cup sugar
Combine everything in a quart jar. If the cherries aren't covered by the liquid, add more vodka. Cover the jar and shake to dissolve sugar. You don't need to get it all dissolved at once - shake it occasionally until there's no sugar visible in the bottom of the jar.
Leave the jar cool place for 1 month to completely marinate.
