Fizzy Sour Cherry Lemonade

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh or thawed frozen sour cherries (2 quarts), stemmed
• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups superfine sugar
• 3 cups white rum (optional)
• 4 to 6 cups chilled sparkling water
• Fresh sour cherries with stems, for garnish

Directions

Blend cherries (including pits) in a blender at low speed until skins have broken down enough to brightly color liquid (some of pits will be coarsely chopped). Pour through a sieve into a 4-quart pitcher, pressing on and discarding solids. Add lemon juice and sugar, to taste, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Pour 3 tablespoons white rum, if using, into each of 16 tall (10-ounce) glasses filled with ice. Add 1/2 cup cherry lemonade to each and top off with sparkling water.

Cooks' note: Sour cherry lemonade can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.