A Beginner's Guide To Cocktail Cherries

Sometimes the cherry on top isn't on a sundae, but instead a really fabulous cocktail. When most of us think of this type of cherry, we think of that ruby red maraschino cherry. You might closely equate these bright beauties with the bygone days of sipping Shirley Temples, but they really do have a long history with cocktails.

Imbibe Magazine – dedicated to all things bar related — proclaims that Maraschino cherries are "the cocktail world's essential non-essential." They describe the cherry as being gorgeous and simple: It adds a pop of color and flavor. They were primarily sold throughout Europe in cherry liquor to help prevent them from bruising and spoiling as they were transported throughout Europe and the United States (via Imbibe Magazine). Once Prohibition hit, Americans still had a hankering for the red fruit. No longer quite as able to import from Italy, one American scientist took to producing maraschino cherries in a lab. These manufactured maraschinos — while alcohol-free — were much sweeter and more artificial. Today (at least in the U.S.) maraschino cherries are synonymous with this modern iteration.

There is an abundance of different cherries and brands, however, that are sure to add a level of sweetness to your cocktail of choice. Below are 13 cocktail cherries you should think about the next time you mix up that Manhattan!

Luxardo exists on the polar opposite end of the spectrum than the bright red Maraschino cherries. They are considered a gourmet treat that garnishes the most sophisticated of cocktails. But according to Vine Pair, Luxardo and Maraschino cherries are really one and the same — Luxardo cherries technically started off as Maraschino cherries at the turn of the century. By the 20th century the Luxardo family (who had typically produced a cherry liquor) had pivoted to canning pitted cherries in a sugary syrup (via Vine Pair). By the time of Prohibition, an American scientist began "mixing sweet American Royal Anne cherries with brine and calcium salts." And these cherries have been criticized for being much more artificial and sweet in taste.

With Prohibition long over, Luxardo cherries are once again pretty easy to import, but they're a bit more expensive, according to Vine Pair. As described by the Luxardo company, their cherries have no additives or preservatives. The cherries contain no alcohol, though they are preserved in the same cherry syrup that's used to infuse the producer's cherry liquor to this day. Unique to the brand, Luxardo promises that their cherries have a certain firmness to them that's reminiscent of a fresh cherry! With all that in mind, it may be worth it to invest in this luxury Italian cherry for your next cocktail!

Maraschino cherries are a surprisingly American staple! Fittingly, Stonewall, a household American brand, promises a few twists on the classic cherry formula. For one, while their cherries are pitted, they do keep their stems (via Stonewall Kitchen). The original maraschino cherry recipe from around 100 years ago, according to Imbibe Magazine, was an extremely artificial treat marked with preservatives and red dye, as the original process left the cherries bleached. In contrast to this, and with around a century of know-how backing them, Stonewall Kitchen Tillen Farms' Merry Maraschino Cherries are completely free of corn syrup and red dyes. Simply put, the cherries are preserved with sugar, and maintain their original color, meaning they haven't undergone any bleaching process. For anyone with a red dye allergy or corn syrup sensitivity, these are a wonderful substitute!

One Amazon reviewer truly sung the praises of the cherries and claimed that despite the amount of sugar, they weren't too sweet and instead had a well-rounded flavor perfected with a noticeable texture. These are all improvements on a staple drink garnish. For those who are looking to take their Maraschinos beyond the ice cream bar, a bubbly cherry bomb may be the perfect explosive treat.

Okay, if heat isn't what you expect when enjoying a cherry, maybe it can be a welcome surprise. Stonewall Kitchen Tillen Farms' Fire & Spiced Cherries are as yummy as they are bold — they definitely deserve some attention in the world of cocktails. Described by the company as a more "delicate heat," it's not as if the recipe screams Tabasco or Sriracha. Rather, gentler spices like cinnamon and chili extract are going to give these cherries a little "kick."  

Multiple reviewers sourced from the aforementioned site and Amazon observe that these cherries do really well with an Old Fashioned cocktail. For those unfamiliar, an Old Fashioned is a traditional cocktail made with a bourbon or rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, sugar, and water. The addition of a spicy cherry will add a new depth to an already stellar cocktail. Fair warning — as noted by the Amazon reviewer, there is a "bite" to this cherry!

Trader Joe's is a grocery store darling with a massive cult following. One TJ's product to seriously be in the know about is the Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries that are served in a heart warmingly kitschy jar. For those unfamiliar, amarena cherries are what Pregel America describes as a gourmet fruit that has been prized by home and professional chefs alike. The amarena's wonderfully potent sweet and sour taste and incredible firmness fills in areas where maraschinos may lack.

Compared to other preserved cherries, amarena cherries use less sugar and the flesh is "tender and firm" (via Pregel America). Suffice to say, they are bound to be an excellent addition to any cocktail that requires (albeit optionally) a cherry. Though one reviewer is partial to adding not one but two of these cherries to an Old Fashioned. And the Manhattan might work just as perfectly with these vibrant fruits. Sadly, like many other wonderful Trader Joe's products, these cherries are a seasonal product so look for them at the end of the year.

There's something unmistakably provocative about Filthy Food's Filthy Black Amarena Cherries, that may sound just as enticing as they do intimidating. Presented in a decidedly modern package, Filthy Food leans away from kitsch and tradition, but embraces all of the sweet notes that define these sour cherries.

The edgy food brand opts for wild Italian amarena cherries, which are heralded in the foodie world as the gourmet cherry du jour (via Pregel America). Based in Miami, Filthy Food is an American company that, in comparison to other American cherry brands, makes products dedicated to the bar, as per their company site. This means those amarena cherries are being slow cooked for their end game: Beautifully-crafted, high-proof whiskey cocktails. In this case, the whiskey sour comes to mind. The modern brand also has a few buying options in comparison to more old-school brands — you can purchase a jar or tin of these truly astounding cherries.

Cherries are an important export from the Pacific Northwest (via Northwest Cherries). Brands like Dirty Sue Whiskey Cocktail Cherries know and respect this. The brand takes care to cultivate their cherries domestically to provide for a cocktail cherry that's been made completely in-house. As per the product's description, the manufacturer notes that they opt for using Stardust Cherries, which are cultivated in the Pacific Northwest. These cherries are described, as per the gardeners over at Dave Wilson, as a cherry that does well in this particular climate. They're known for having a luscious texture.  

It seems like these cherries do just as well off of the stem, and one Amazon reviewer praises the cherry as "a perfect balance of tartness and whiskyness!" The reviewer notes there's not much to be done to make these cherries an extravagant experience. The reviewer preferred to enjoy them fireside with a neat glass of bourbon.

Don't let the name fool you, similar to other cherries on the list Collins' Bordeaux cherries are technically maraschino cherries, although they're produced in a different way (via Walmart). Collins' Chicago is a family business first opened by two brothers in the 1930s in the Windy City (via Collins Chicago). The brothers specialized in bottle openers and homemade syrups — over time, garnishes became their claim to fame. And it only made sense that the family business would find a way to master the art of a good cherry garnish.

The Collins' Bordeaux Cherries represent the gourmet spirit and creativity associated with the old-timey brand. While they are classified as maraschino cherries, the way that they are manufactured and preserved leaves them with a much deeper — descriptively Bordeaux — color and less sweet but with all the rich taste. There's something still laid back in the spirit of Collins' Chicago: The cherries can be purchased at Walmart for as little as $12.99 and the company guarantees satisfaction, or you're welcome to a refund.  

Those baddies over at Woodford Reserve put liquor right in their recipe! Sure, bourbon-soaked cherries are nothing new, there are plenty of recipes that can help home chefs perfect their own jar with their own ratio. But Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries do all the leg work without you having to lift a hand.

As per the product description on Amazon, these reserve cherries have a completely down-home ingredient list with neither preservatives nor additives. There is a bit of Kentucky Bourbon in their recipe, as per the name, to give the cherries "hints" of that rich flavor. One Amazon reviewer notes in particular that Old Fashioned cocktails are the perfect match for Woodford Reserve cherries, and further praises the unique cherry for both its structure and mouthfeel.

Just about all of the cocktail cherries on the list are either from Italy or the United States, which is understandable given that the history the two countries share with the cherry. But, there are other places to find a good cherry — would anyone be surprised to learn that one of these places is France?

The Distilleries Peureux is a distillery with quite a large past and maybe even larger reputation. First opened in 1864, the company is located in the East of France, just shy of the Swiss border, which may explain why they specialized in Kirsch liqueur. It was around a century later that the French distillers turned their heads, hearts, and hands toward the full cherry as well. What resulted is the Distilleries Peureux Griottines Cherries, which are for those who believe their cherries swim best in a bit of Kirschwasser, or cherry liqueur. This particular liqueur is a brandy made from the very Morello cherries that fill the glass.

These particular cherries originate from the Balkans and are notably more sour than other varieties on the list (via European Deli). They are strong in character, and when suspended in a sour liquor, are not for the faint of hearts or those who have an insatiable sweet tooth. But, for those who want a more old world approach to their cocktail cherries, look no further.

Starlino Maraschino Cherries are stars in their own right. The high-end Italian brand likes adding a gourmet flourish to whatever they turn their attention toward, and these cherries are no exception. Italia Living describes Starlino's Maraschinos as being made from Italian Marasaca cherries, that are then suspended in their own juices. 

One Amazon reviewer gushed that their "fruit and flowers" anniversary involved very little flowers, and a lot of one fruit in particular! They clarify that the Starlino brand just about comes across as black cherries, and their "juice" is much closer to a syrup. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and this particular consumer even saw it as a major selling point. Furthermore, they praised the syrup as equally as yummy as the cherries. Finally, they noted these cherries faired especially well in Manhattan cocktail recipes. Italia Living explains that these cherries tend to burst very pleasantly when chewed on.

In the Curious Kitchen Boozy Cherries bring out all the best booziness of the Bluegrass State in their cherries. This is pretty stellar, given that the so-called small batch company is based in Kentucky, so they're sure to have access to some of the most flavorful bourbons around. As per the company's website, while the booze is all American, the cherries are purely Italian. There's something very poetic in combining the long-adored cherry traditions of the two countries into one jar.

These cherries are a bit pricey, at $19 for a 9 oz. jar at the date of writing, but what's the price on quality anyway? The Kentucky-based company suggests adding a bit more booze to the cherries by mixing one or two into an Old Fashioned. For those building their bars, In the Curious Kitchen thankfully offers an Old Fashioned Kit to accompany the cherries.

Jack Rudy's Bourbon Cocktail Cherries are purely sourced from the United States, although from all around the country. According to the company's website, the bourbon is sourced from South Carolina, while the cherries hail from Oregon (via Jack Rudy's Cocktail Co.). Based in Charleston, Jack Rudy's has remained as close to home as they could when it comes to producing and shipping.

But, despite the company sticking to their founder's home state, the cocktail cherries have gained national acclaim, or at least found critical acclaim in select families. As per one Amazon reviewer, a Manhattan-cocktail loving husband enjoyed them so much that he gifted another jar to his brother-in-law for Christmas. This particular bon vivant preferred to pair their bourbon cherries with an Old Fashioned.        

Not every cocktail cherry is award-winning, but then again not every cocktail cherry is a Peninsula Premium cocktail cherry. In fact, the name "premium" seems to be the perfect descriptor for these cherries. As per the cherry's Amazon description, the brand's cherries won an international consumer based competition in 2019 that sought to rank gourmet ingredients.

The cherries are sourced from Michigan, and are described as having a complex blend of flavors that's neither too sweet nor too acidic. There's even a bit of a nut flavor to these fantastically complex cherries, that come delivered in a deliciously thick situation (via Amazon). As one Amazon reviewer comments, with cherry or cherry juice based recipes (and cocktails), it's the quality of the product that ensures the quality of the drink. In this line of thought, the reviewer assures that opting for premium is the only way to go. Though the reviewer does warn, with this brand, you run the risk of eating the entire jar in one setting! That's just how good these cherries are.