How good does this sound: a Cherry Gin Chescato Fizz. Think delicious chilled Leopard’s Leap Chescato, gin soaked cherries and a soft blush fizz that looks like it belongs on a rooftop bar, but is easy enough to make at home.

 The trick is in the cherries. Pit them, cover in gin, add a little sugar and citrus peel, then let them sit in the fridge until they turn ruby and boozy. You get two things.   

• Gin soaked cherries for the glass

• A cherry gin that turns your wine spritz into a proper cocktail

To make the gin soaked cherries:

        1.     Pit fresh cherries and add to a jar.

        2.     Cover with gin.

        3.     Add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar or honey and a strip of citrus peel.

        4.     Chill for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

 For the cocktail you will need:

        •      80 ml Leopard’s Leap Chescato, chilled

        •      20 ml gin soaked cherry gin

        •      2 to 3 gin soaked cherries

        •      10 to 15 ml fresh lemon juice

        •      Optional: 5 ml simple syrup or honey

        •      Soda water to top

        •      Ice

 To build the cocktail:

        1.     Add 2 to 3 gin soaked cherries to a glass with the lemon juice and syrup.

        2.     Lightly muddle.

        3.     Add ice, 20 ml cherry gin and 80 ml Chescato.

        4.     Top with soda water and give one gentle stir.

        5.     Garnish with cherries on a cocktail pick.

To make one:

• 2 to 3 gin soaked cherries

• 10 to 15 ml fresh lemon juice

• 5 ml simple syrup or honey, optional

• 20 ml cherry gin from the jar

• 80 ml Leopard’s Leap Chescato, well chilled

• Soda water to top

 Lightly muddle the cherries with the lemon and syrup. Add ice, pour over the cherry gin and Chescato, then top with soda and give one gentle stir. Garnish with more gin soaked cherries on a pick and serve immediately. The Chescato it is light, fizzy, a little bit cheeky and perfect for cherry season.