Ingredients
4-1/2 pounds fresh unpitted sweet cherries2-1/4 cups sugar1/2 teaspoon ground allspice1-1/2 cups spiced rum1-1/2 cups brandy
Preparation
Place cherries in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Strain juice through a cheesecloth-lined colander; divide cherries among six 1-pint jars.
Return juice to saucepan; add sugar and allspice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely.
Stir in rum and brandy; pour syrup into bottles over cherries. Cover and let stand for at least 1 month, stirring every week. Store in a cool, dry place up to 3 months.
