{"id":"recipe_b0eea24234","slug":"vissinada-greek-sour-cherry-syrup","title":"Vissinada (Greek Sour Cherry Syrup)","description":"A traditional and refreshing Greek cordial made from fresh sour cherries, perfect for cooling down on a hot Mediterranean summer day.","serves":20,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg sour cherries, pitted","name":"Sour Cherries","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"pitted","notes":"fresh or frozen","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"800g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":800,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"white sugar","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500ml water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"filtered","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tablespoons lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"prevents crystallization","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cinnamon stick (optional)","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"adds a subtle spice note","group":"Syrup Base","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the pitted sour cherries and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the pitted sour cherries and water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until the cherries are soft and have released their color into the water.","group":"Cooking","title":"Lower the heat and simmer","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the sugar and the cinnamon stick (if using). Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the sugar and the cinnamon stick","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the liquid thickens into a syrup. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.","group":"Cooking","title":"Simmer for another 15-20 minutes","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Stir in the lemon juice and let it boil for one more minute. Remove from heat and let cool.","group":"Finishing","title":"Stir in the lemon juice and let it boil","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into sterilized glass bottles. Store the leftover cherries separately for other uses.","group":"Storage","title":"Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Storage"}],"notes":"Always serve chilled. The ratio of syrup to water is usually 1:3 or 1:4 depending on how sweet you like it. You can use the cooked cherries as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Large pot","Fine-mesh sieve","Glass bottles","Spoon","Cherry pitter"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"l","note":"concentrated syrup"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This syrup is designed to be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Keep in a sealed glass bottle in the refrigerator. To serve, mix 1 part syrup with 3 parts cold water or soda water and plenty of ice.","reheatingNotes":"Served cold."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_b0eea24234%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=093ae7ed-04f0-48e6-9f77-be04f69d70b1","imageAlt":"Vissinada (Greek Sour Cherry Syrup) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["drink","cherry","syrup","greek","refreshing","summer","cordial"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Vissinada (Greek Sour Cherry Syrup)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:17:30.353Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:17:30.353Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2a8e5a87b3","slug":"fresh-mediterranean-lemonade","title":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","description":"A refreshing and classic Mediterranean-style lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. Perfect for summer gatherings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2a8e5a87b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c31f43d-1226-4728-8afc-7859baa17251","imageAlt":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","mediterranean"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"haydari_3fdc2dc492","slug":"haydari","title":"Haydari","description":"A thick, creamy Turkish meze made with strained yogurt, feta cheese, fresh dill, and fragrant mint-infused olive oil. This refreshing sauce is perfect for dipping warm pita or serving alongside grilled meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","keto","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhaydari_3fdc2dc492%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=6cada5cf-05cb-4e7c-8a86-c67d84d8fecf","imageAlt":"Haydari — recipe cover","tags":["dip","yogurt","turkish","meze","healthy","keto","vegetarian","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}