We’re absolutely stoked to be featured on Season 4 of A New Zealand Food Story with Ben Bayly, aired 12th July on TVNZ 1. It’s a real honour to have our orchard and story recognised by one of the country’s most respected chefs. Ben’s passion for local producers and homegrown ingredients is second to none, and to have him visit Forest Lodge and see what we’re doing with electric cherries was pretty special.
From the trees to the tech, he dove into every detail with us and turned it into something truly incredible at his restaurant Ahi. This inspired us to share a few our recipes for you to try using our electric cherries.
If you’ve ever dined at Ahi, you’ll know it’s something special. Tucked into the heart of Auckland’s waterfront, Ahi brings the very best of New Zealand’s land and sea straight to your plate.
Chef Ben Bayly has created a stunning dessert for the Ahi menu, and it’s built around our cherries. It’s called The Electric Cherry and it’s everything you’d hope for: bold, elegant, and packed with flavour straight from the orchard. It’s more than just dessert. It’s a celebration of sustainable growing, the magic of Central Otago, and what’s possible when good food meets a good story.
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Looking for ways to enjoy our electric cherries and cherry juice? Whether you're into cocktails, smoothies, frozen treats or something a bit fancy for dinner, we’ve pulled together a bunch of tasty ideas to get you started.
Sweet, savoury or sippable—there’s a recipe here for everyone.
A zesty, refreshing drink that blends sweet cherry juice with tangy lime and smooth vodka.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Electric Cherry juice
- 30ml vodka
- 15ml lime juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- Soda water
- Fresh cherries & lime for garnish
Quick to prep and packed with protein, fibre and antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup Greek yoghurt (or plain)
- ½ cup granola
- ½ cup fresh Electric Cherries, pitted
- ¼ cup mixed berries
Optional: 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Ingredients:
- 400g milk chocolate (chopped or buttons)
- 1½ cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup Electric Cherries
- ½ cup roasted peanuts or almonds
- ½ cup crushed biscuits
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions:
1. Line a tin with baking paper.
2. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth.
3. Stir in marshmallows, cherries, nuts, biscuits, and coconut.
4. Mix to combine.
5. Pour into the prepared tin and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle with extra coconut.
7. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours or until set.
8. Slice and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Electric Cherries
- ½ cup electric cherry juice
- ¾ cup caster sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, simmer cherries and sugar over medium heat for 10 minutes until soft and syrupy.
2. Cool slightly.
3. Blend cherry mixture with juice, milk, cream, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth.
4. Chill mixture in the fridge 2 hours.
5. Freeze in a container, stirring every hour until set.
6. Scoop into cones and enjoy
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek or coconut yoghurt
- 3/4 cup Electric Cherries, pitted
- 2 tbsp coconut flakes
Optional: 1 tsp honey
Instructions:
1. Scoop yoghurt into a bowl and gently fold in most of the cherries.
2. Sprinkle with coconut flakes and top with the remaining cherries.
3. Add a drizzle of honey or a dash of vanilla if you like.
4. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 200g dark chocolate
- 100g butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup Electric cherries halved
- 50g white chocolate chunks
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a square baking tin with baking paper.
2. Melt butter and dark chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth, then cool slightly.
3. In a bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
4. Stir in the chocolate mixture, then fold in flour, salt, cherries, and white chocolate.
5. Pour into tin and bake for 25–30 minutes
6. Cool before slicing.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pitted Electric Cherries
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups cream (whipped to soft peaks)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, simmer cherries, sugar, and lemon juice for 10–12 minutes until thick and jammy. Let it cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, fold together whipped cream, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
3. Pour half the mixture into a freezer-safe container, dollop some cherry compote, swirl gently. Repeat with the rest.
4. Cover and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm.
5. Scoop into cones and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 3/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 1/2 cups pitted Electric Cherries, halved
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 120°C and line a tray with baking paper.
2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then slowly add caster sugar until glossy.
3. Fold in vinegar, cornflour and vanilla.
4. Spoon into small nest shapes on the tray.
5. Bake for 1 hour, then turn the oven off and leave to cool.
6. Top with whipped cream and fresh cherries before serving.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Electric Cherry juice
- 30ml white rum
- 15ml lime juice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Fresh cherries, lime, or mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
1. Muddle mint and lime juice in a glass.
2. Add cherry juice and rum.
3. Fill with ice and top with soda water.
4. Garnish and serve.
Ingredients:
- 200ml electric cherry juice
- 100ml coconut water
- Fresh cherry halves
Instructions:
1. Combine cherry juice and coconut water.
2. Pour into popsicle moulds with cherry halves.
3. Freeze until solid.
Ingredients:
For the filling:
- 3 cups Electric Cherries
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the crumble topping:
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 100g cold butter, cubed
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan bake).
2. In a bowl, combine cherries, white sugar, cornflour, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into greased dish.
3. In another bowl, rub butter into the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon (if using) until the mix looks like breadcrumbs.
4. Spoon the crumble mix evenly over cherry filling.
5. Bake for 35–40 mins until the topping is golden brown
6. Cool slightly before serving.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Electric Cherries
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened into a glossy reduction.
3. Serve with crackers, bread, or warm over meat dishes.
Ingredients:
- 250ml Electric Cherry Juice
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- A few ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Add cherries, banana, yoghurt, almond milk, and honey to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add ice cubes and pulse again if you'd like it chilled.
4. Pour into a glass and enjoy
Ingredients:
- 45ml gin or vodka
- 30ml electric cherry juice
- 90ml soda water or sparkling wine - 1 tsp lime juice
Instructions:
1. Rim your cocktail glass with a lime juice, then dip into sugar to coat the edge (optional)
2. In a shaker, add cherry juice, gin (or vodka), lime juice, and a bit of ice. Shake lightly.
3. Strain into your glass
4. Top with soda water
Ingredients:
- 200g dark (or milk) chocolate
- 20x fresh Electric cherries
- Optional: sea salt flakes or crushed nuts for topping
Instructions:
1. Wash and dry the cherries well. You can either leave the pits in, or pit them if you prefer an easier bite.
2. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water
3. Holding each cherry by the stem, dip into the chocolate and let the excess drip off.
4. Place on a baking paper-lined tray and chill in the fridge until the chocolate is set.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh electric cherries (halved)
- 2 cups mixed baby greens
- 2–3 slices prosciutto
- 60 g goat cheese or feta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp balsamic glaze
- Salt & cracked pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Gently toss greens, cherries, and prosciutto in a large bowl.
2. Add crumbled goat cheese
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
4. Season to taste and serve.
We post updates about our cherries most days online, be sure to follow us to keep up with our progress through out the season.