I recently made a batch Very Cherry Gelato, which means I found myself with a bunch of leftover cherry pits. I could have thrown them away, but instead, I steeped them in a sugar water solution to make delicious Cherry Pit Simple Syrup. Add it to sparking water or your favorite spirit for a refreshing beverage. It’s great drizzled on ice cream too.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• cherry pitter https://amzn.to/3T63z7x

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3QX7GRn

Cherry Pit Simple Syrup

makes about 1 cup

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cherry pits (from about 1 pound of fresh cherries)

• 1 cup cold water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• pinch of salt

• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Place cherry pits, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Remove mixture from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

3. Strain pits and store syrup in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Note

• Cherry pits contain amygdalin, a naturally occurring compound found in the seeds and pits of many fruits. The body turns amygdalin to cyanide, but have no fear… not only do you have to ingest an unreasonably large amount of amygdalin for it to be dangerous, the cooking process renders it completely harmless. But just to be on the safe side, experts suggest you avoid crushing, chopping, or chewing cherry pits.