Cherry Valentine

Pit and halve 6-8 fresh cherries, reserving a few whole cherries with stems for garnish. If fresh cherries are unavailable, use maraschino cherries.

Peel and dice one ripe peach into small chunks, discarding the pit. If using canned peaches, drain the syrup thoroughly before use.

Combine the pitted cherries and diced peach in a blender and blend until a smooth purée forms. Strain the purée through a fine mesh sieve if a smoother texture is desired.

Squeeze fresh oranges to yield approximately 4 ounces of orange juice, then strain out any seeds or pulp. Fresh-squeezed juice is strongly recommended for optimal flavor.

Fill a cocktail shaker generously with ice cubes. Add the fruit purée and fresh orange juice to the shaker.

Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels well chilled. This ensures proper mixing and dilution.

Fill a tiki mug or tall glass with crushed ice, then strain the cocktail mixture over the ice. Top with additional crushed ice if needed.

Garnish the finished drink with the reserved whole cherries and an orange slice on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately with a decorative straw.