2025 Replace: We’ve rounded up six extra manufacturers from new and up to date releases to fill out our outdated roundup, bringing it as much as a full 20 choices. Extra to come back, as they’re launched.
If there’s a extra iconic and versatile cocktail garnish than the cherry, I don’t learn about it — and you may hold your “twist” to your self. In relation to an edible deal with on the backside of your glass, there’s actually nothing higher than a high-grade cocktail cherry.
Like all cocktail components, the cherry has gone via some powerful instances and are available out the opposite finish as a craft ingredient. You’ll be able to thank the extra widespread availability of amarena and marasca cherries for that — these are smaller, bitter cherries that provide extra nuance than the ultra-sweet, garden-variety maraschinos that bobbed in your Shirley Temple.
The market is flooded with cherries today, and also you’ll discover you’ve got tons of obscure terminology to study should you actually need to grasp the class. Right here’s a fast primer on what’s what:
Marasca – The Marasca is quite a lot of the Morello cherry which is native to Croatia. Small and bitter, these are generally preserved in a dense sugar syrup which sweetens them up lots. Marasca cherries are continuously known as Luxardo cherries, although that’s really a model title of Marascas.
Amarena – One other small, bitter cherry native to Italy, similar to Marascas, with which they can be utilized interchangeably.
Maraschino – A extremely loaded time period. Maraschino refers to maraschino liqueur (which is itself comprised of marasca cherries), and maraschino cherries have been initially cherries preserved within the liqueur. The title was broadly co-opted, and also you’ll see “maraschino” on every kind of merchandise, together with upscale marasca cherries and the chemical-plumped hyper-red selection which are the staple of the dive bar. The time period “maraschino cherry” successfully now not has any that means, however when a “maraschino cherry” is named for, the everyday connotation is the grocery store selection.
“Brandied” Cherries – The time period “brandied cherry” refers to a cherry preserved in maraschino liqueur (aka cherry brandy), however in actuality there are nearly no precise brandied cherries in the marketplace. Even the businesses that produce maraschino liqueur don’t use maraschino of their maraschino cherries! You’ll find just a few “whiskey” cherries in the marketplace, however these use whiskey in small parts as a (gentle) flavoring agent; they don’t contribute a big character to the product. Once you see “brandied cherry” in a cocktail recipe in the present day, use a Marasca or Amarena.
Griottines – That is maybe the one exception to the earlier paragraph: Griottines are France’s tackle morello cherries, and they’re preserved in precise Kirsch (cherry brandy). We reviewed a model of Griottines a few years in the past however have been unable to achieve the corporate to request a contemporary jar for this roundup.
Which cherry must you use in your cocktail? Whichever strikes your fancy, which is why we’re delving into as a lot of the market as we might get our arms on, 14 choices in all starting from the underside of the (cherry) barrel to a number of the most premium choices in the marketplace. Under you’ll discover all of them, ranked beginning with our favourite.
However earlier than we get into that, a phrase about refrigeration: Many cocktail cherries supply directions on the label not to refrigerate them after opening. Why? As a result of in some instances the sugar within the syrup tends to crystalize within the fridge, turning the contents of the jar right into a gloopy, congealed mess. I’ve all the time saved mine refrigerated (it doesn’t matter what the label says), and this has by no means occurred to me — however I do know it has for others. Any cocktail cherry will last more within the fridge vs. the cabinet earlier than going dangerous — however should you do expertise this downside, verify the advantageous print. Normally, the upper the sugar content material, the extra doubtless this downside shall be — however I hold all my cherries within the fridge.
Be aware that each one cherries are unstemmed except famous in any other case.
The Finest Cocktail Cherries, Ranked
Luxardo Authentic Maraschino Cherries – Marasca cherries in syrup, from Italy. 400g jar. Don’t refrigerate. Small, darkish colour, agency cherries with an preliminary rush of sugar adopted by a big tartness. There’s merely nothing to complain about with these, which is why they’re the usual for the model, with glorious steadiness between candy and bitter that takes you on a miniature journey. Extraordinarily versatile, they’re simply the correct measurement for cocktailing — and our #1 decide. A / $17 ($4.25/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Cherries in a really gentle syrup, with bourbon and pure colour added, from Oregon. (Jack Rudy says that each one of its cherries do comprise alcohol within the completed product, however there’s no indication of abv on the label; I doubt it’s a lot.) 237ml jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Cherries differ in measurement/texture: Medium to massive, medium colour, medium agency to very agency. Cherries are stemmed. For essentially the most half these style like contemporary cherries, calmly sweetened up with only a contact of sugar. They’re by no means cloying the best way some cocktail cherries could be, however they’re by no means bitter, both. As a substitute they arrive throughout with a definite freshness that may brighten up a cocktail. Nice for muddling. A- / $18 (~$5.50/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Previous Forester Cocktail Provisions Cocktail Cherries – Amarena-style cherries in an Previous Forester bourbon-infused syrup. 284g jar — tiny. Good steadiness between candy and bitter, these darkish, agency cherries are scrumptious on their very own and pair fantastically with bourbon. There’s no point out of an abv, however there does appear to be alcohol within the jar. They’re scrumptious cherries however bizarre factor is that they’re all wildly completely different sizes — some tiny, some fairly massive. Choosy mixologists received’t just like the Goldilocks look on a decide, I believe. Nonetheless, actually pleasant, although insanely costly. Refrigerate after opening. A- / $20 ($7.04/100 grams)
Blanton’s Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – These are made by Jack Rudy and branded with the Blanton’s title — however my suspicion is that they’re precisely the identical product. Once more they’re Oregon cherries in a really gentle syrup, with bourbon (Blanton’s will not be specified) and pure colour added, from Oregon. Alcohol is current. 473ml jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Once more medium to massive, medium colour, medium agency to very agency (relying on the cherry). Cherries are stemmed. They style precisely the identical as Jack Rudy’s signature providing, so see above for notes. Nice worth if yow will discover these bigger jars. A- / $21 (~$3.20/100 grams)
Tempus Fugit Cherries – Small, stemless cherries soaked in a mixture of spiced cane sugar syrup, cherry juice, and a small quantity of Kirsch, which brings the abv of the jar as much as 12%. Fairly bitter with snappy skins, and with somewhat booziness that you just received’t simply miss. Darkish in colour, and really genuine in taste because of the looks of Kirsch. 415g jar. Refrigeration really useful. A- / $20 ($4.82/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries – Cherries in a really gentle syrup, with Woodford Reserve bourbon and pure taste added. 383g jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Giant, darkish colour, medium firmness. Cherries are stemmed. These are a bit on the tart aspect, with much less sweetness than in most different merchandise. They do burst nonetheless with black cherry taste, although maybe this has been doctored a bit? No actual trace of Woodford, alas. Nice muddlers. A- / $19 ($4.96/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey Cherries – Made by Jack Rudy and branded with Sagamore Spirit — however these cherries do word that Sagamore’s Rye is used within the (gentle) syrup. Once more, pure colour added. The jar notes a 4.5% abv. 473ml jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Medium to massive in measurement, medium colour, very agency. Cherries are stemmed. These have an excessive similarity to the opposite Jack Rudy merchandise, although right here I get a touch of grape taste along with the easy, contemporary cherry word. See above for extra notes. A- / $NA
Maraska Maraschino Cocktail Cherries – Candied Marasca cherries in syrup, from Croatia. 400g jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Average in measurement, darkish colour, average firmness. Fairly candy, virtually pruny at instances, with notes of plum jam and licorice, however in any other case uncomplicated. B+ / $17 ($4.25/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Soiled Sue Whiskey Cherries – Giant Stardust cherries from the Pacific Northwest, preserved in sugar, cherry juice, and purple currant juice, plus a star anise, vanilla, and Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. Numerous vanilla makes an look right here, making these good whiskey companions, although the end is daring with genuine cherry notes. In the end nearer to a candy maraschino than a Maraska-style bitter cherry. Just like Jack Rudy’s cherries, although positively a bit sweeter. Refrigerate after opening. 454g jar. B+ / $18 ($3.97/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Starlino Maraschino Cherries – Marasca cherries in syrup, from Italy. 400g jar. Don’t refrigerate. Fairly massive, darkish colour, semi-firm cherries. Boldly flavored with chocolate notes and components of brown sugar and cinnamon. Candy however not overwhelming, with an extended, calmly bitter end. B / $15 ($3.75/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Amarena Fabbri Cherries – Wild Amarena cherries in syrup, from Italy. 230g jar. Don’t refrigerate. Small cherries, darkish colour, medium firmness. Fairly candy compared to different high-end cocktail cherries (sugar is the primary ingredient on the label), with a strawberry-like character on the end. Fairly costly. B / $14 ($6.09/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Collins Maraschino Stemmed Cherries – Cherries in a light-weight corn syrup. 283g jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Giant, brilliant purple colour, agency cherries. Cherries are stemmed. These are your traditional Shirley Temple model cherries, plumped up impossibly with FD&C Pink #40. Surprisingly they style fairly good, however the influence on the palate is nearer to Hawaiian Punch than an precise cherry. B / $4 ($1.41/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Filthy Black Cherries – Amarena cherries in syrup, from Italy. 226g jar. Don’t refrigerate. Small cherries, very darkish colour, medium firmness. Dusky and a bit earthy, with distinct notes of spices and chocolate. Much less flavorful than a number of the others, with a lingering sweetness on the end. B / $15 ($6.64/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Spiked Cherries Balls of Fireplace – A cinnamon-spiced model of Howie’s Spiked Cherries Authentic (see beneath). Vivid purple dyed maraschino cherries, spiked to 10% with unknown alcohol however a lot of cinnamon. Chewy and missing any fruit taste, with a imprecise alcohol overtone that’s overplayed by cinnamon. Not terrible, however largely a gimmick. 355ml jar. Refrigerate after opening. B / $9 ($2.53/100 grams)
Collins Bourbon Stemmed Cherries – One other model from Collins (see above): Cherries in a light-weight syrup plus Heritage Brown Sugar Bourbon. (Like Jack Rose, these do comprise some quantity of alcohol.) 312g jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Giant, darkish colour, agency cherries. Cherries are stemmed. Very candy, with flavors of black cherry overpowered by notes of raisiny currants. The boldly jammy end makes me consider zinfandel wine. B- / $12 ($3.85/100 grams)
Traverse Metropolis Premium Cocktail Cherries – Cherries in syrup with blackcurrant extract, cherry focus, and bourbon (no alcohol), from Michigan. 800g jar. Don’t refrigerate. Medium-sized, darkish colour, very agency cherries, with the distinct taste of currants and notes of vanilla. What doesn’t come via clearly in any respect: cherry taste. B- / $18 ($2.25/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Spiked Cherries Authentic – Howie’s Spiked Cherries, unspiced. Vivid purple dyed maraschino cherries, spiked to 10% with unknown alcohol. The alcohol isn’t readily obvious right here, not like Ole Smoky Moonshine’s scorching 100 proof rendition. The cherry taste, sadly, can also be slightly absent. These considerably chewy fruits don’t have a lot character to them, and although there’s clearly ample sugar within the combine, they don’t come throughout as very candy. For novelties, primarily. 355ml jar. Refrigerate after opening. B- / $9 ($2.53/100 grams)
Ruddell’s Mill Kentucky Bourbon Cherries – Whereas these stemmed cherries have bourbon within the components record, the comparatively massive, agency berries are surprisingly conventional — candy maraschino in model, with out the brooding punch of a Maraska cherry. Doused in corn syrup and missing any actual character from the fruit (or the whiskey), the one distinction right here vs. a mass market maraschino is the delightfully crisp chew they provide. Flavorwise, there’s not a lot to them. Refrigerate after opening. 255g jar. C / $10 ($3.92/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Star Maraschino Cherries with Stems – The management group: Grocery store cherries in water and corn syrup. 255g jar. Do refrigerate after opening. Medium-sized, ultra-bright purple colour, medium firmness. Cherries are stemmed. This iconic maraschino is decidedly candylike in taste, although it has extra in frequent with strawberry than any actual from-the-tree cherry I’ve tasted. Innocent however wholly uninteresting. C / $3 ($1.18/100 grams)
Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries – Cherries soaking in 100 proof moonshine (50/50 within the container). 750ml jar. Clearly these want no refrigeration. Giant, hyper-bright purple colour, medium firmness. A touch of ’70s-style Shirley Temple sweetness is instantly adopted by an amazing booziness — which is precisely what I used to be anticipating. Not loads of nuance right here, with petrol flavors lingering for ages. Finest for bar bets, not craft cocktails. C- / $22 ($2.10/100 grams) [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Luxardo Authentic Maraschino Cherries
USD17
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