This recipe is from Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City. For this classic cocktail, essentially a gin sour with a cherry garnish, Freeman believes that the quality of the ingredients is paramount. He prefers Maraska maraschino liqueur, which has a cleaner and less funky flavor than other brands, and he replaces the traditional, artificially flavored maraschino cherry with a homemade version. For instructions on making homemade maraschino cherries, see the bartender's note, below, or simply substitute a pitted fresh cherry.

Ingredients

　　2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lemon juice

　　1/4 cup (2 ounces) gin

　　1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) Maraska maraschino liqueur

　　1/4 teaspoon <epi recipelink="" id="105254">simple syrup</epi>

　　1 cup ice cubes

Garnish:

　　In cocktail shaker, combine lemon juice, gin, maraschino liqueur, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled coupe glass and drop in cherry.

　　Bartender's note:

　　To make homemade maraschino cherries: Fill a mason jar or sealable crock with pitted Bing cherries, add Maraska maraschino liqueur to cover, seal the jar, and let stand at least 3 months and up to 1 year.