Chocolate-Covered Herry Martini

Your guests will love the smooth flavor of this drink. This came from the National Cherry Growers. I have not tried this posting for safe keeping.

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Serves: 15

Ingredients

• 4 (16 ounce) jars maraschino cherries or 1⁄2 gallon maraschino cherry, plus additional for garnish
• 750  ml  absolut vanilla vodka
• 2  cups  chocolate liqueur (recommended Godiva Dark or Creme De Cacao)
•  semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Put 3/4 cup juice in a 1 gallon pitcher or other container. Save the rest of the juice for another use, such as a topping for ice cream or a flavoring for milk.
2. Add vodka and chocolate liqueur to the cherry juice; mix well. Add maraschino cherries. The liquid must cover cherries. If not, add more chocolate liquer. Let stand at room temperature for 2-12 hours. If not using within 12 hours., refrigerate mixture. It will keep up to 1 week, if cherries are covered with liquid and mixture is in a sealed container.
3. To serve beverage, pour liquid into a drink shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour into martini glasses or other drink glasses. Garnish with a fresh maraschino cherry.
4. Note: After drink liquid is used, cherries can be drained and covered with melted chocolate. Melt 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes. Dip cherries in melted chocolate; let set on waxed paper for about 30 minutes.