I still remember the first time I saw those glow-in-the-dark maraschino cherries. That bright red color called to me, and I wanted to eat the whole jar. But then again, I was only six.
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As I got older, I realized that I could make homemade maraschino cherries with just a few simple ingredients. And instead of a fake color and sugary flavor, they tasted like real cherries.
I recently learned about Luxardo cherries, so I thought I would try making their version, which boasted of a rich, complex flavor. And I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed. The flavor was amazing!
If you love baked goods made with cherries, make sure to try our Cherry Vanilla Muffins and Black Forrest Cake recipes.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients to prepare our Luxardo Maraschino Cherries recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”
Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.
What are Maraschino Cherries?
The name “maraschino” comes from marasca cherries, a small, dark, bitter cherry that grows in Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia).
Maraschino cherries didn’t start out neon red. The original version came from 19th-century Europe, where marasca cherries were preserved in maraschino liqueur and served as a luxury treat for royalty.
When the cherries made their way to America, producers substituted local cherries and sugar syrup for liqueur. Prohibition changed how they were made when alcohol was banned. Manufacturers initially used brine and chemicals, and later introduced red dye, resulting in the creation of the neon red candy sweet cherries that are used today.
The most famous brand of “real maraschino cherries” is made by the Luxardo family in Croatia. Their original method for creating gourmet maraschino cherries has been passed down through the generations for two hundred years.
How to Make Maraschino Cherries
Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Maraschino Cherries in your home kitchen.
Rinse and clean the cherries with cold water.
- Use a cherry pitter to remove the pits from the cherries, if necessary.
- Add the water, cherry liquor, granulated sugar, and cinnamon to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine.
- Bring to a light boil and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cherries to the mixture and simmer for ten minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt to the cherries, then stir them together. Simmer for an additional five minutes.
- Remove the Luxardo cherries from the heat and allow them to cool.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade maraschino cherries are a versatile garnish that can take your desserts and drinks to the next level.
Spoon them onto our Classic NY Style Cheesecake, serve alongside a slice of our Sour Cream Pound Cake, or a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. You can even add them to cakes and muffins.
Add them to classic cocktails like a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned, or drop one into a fizzy Shirley Temple for a fun, family-friendly option.
Recipe Variations
- Boozy Cherries: Substitute brandy, rum, or bourbon for the cherry liquor to make boozier cocktail-ready cherries. They’re perfect for bourbon drinks or specialty cocktails.
- Spiced Cherries: Infuse your syrup with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or star anise, which pair beautifully with holiday treats.
- Citrus Twist: Add orange or lemon peel for a refreshing variation that pairs wonderfully with summer dessert recipes and ice cream.
I promise that once you try our homemade Luxardo maraschino cherries, you’ll never go back to the neon-red store-bought version.
They’re simple to make, naturally delicious, and will elevate the flavor and appearance of your desserts and cocktails. And six-year-old me says that they’re perfect for just snacking right out of the jar.
How to Store and Reheat
Store your homemade Luxardo cherries, refrigerated in a sealed jar for 4–6 weeks. Save any extra cherry juice in an additional container and use it as a simple syrup. Store in an airtight container.
Freezing isn’t recommended, as cherries lose their texture when thawed.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. Swap out the alcohol with cherry juice. It will alter the flavor slightly, but they will still be delicious. You can also use pomegranate juice or cranberry juice, but either of those will take the flavor in a different direction.
Stored refrigerated in an airtight jar, they’ll last for 4–6 weeks. If you use alcohol with a higher alcohol content (like brandy or rum), they will last even longer.
Well, technically, you don’t have to. But do you want people spitting out the cherry pits? I suggest that you always pit your cherries before soaking them. A simple cherry pitter makes the job quick and keeps the cherries intact for beautiful presentation.
OMG, yes, they are. They’re fresher, naturally flavored, and free from artificial dyes. Trust me, after one taste you’ll be convinced.
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Homemade Maraschino Cherries (Better Than Store-Bought!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dark red cherries pitted
- ⅔ cups granualted sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup cherry liquor preferably the Luxardo brand, or cherry juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
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Instructions
- Rinse and clean the cherries with cold running water.
- Use a cherry pitter to remove the pits from the cherries.
- Add the water, cherry liquor, cinnamon, and granulated sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir together until all of the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cherries to the cherry liquor mixture and simmer for ten minutes. the cherries should have softened up during the process. If they are still hard, let them simmer a little longer.
- Add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt to the cherries and stir to combine.
- Simmer for an additional five minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Notes
- Boozy Cherries: Substitute brandy, rum, or bourbon for the cherry liquor to make boozier cocktail-ready cherries. They’re perfect for bourbon drinks or specialty cocktails.
- Spiced Cherries: Infuse your syrup with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or star anise—these pair beautifully with holiday treats from my Christmas Recipes category.
- Citrus Twist: Add orange or lemon peel for a refreshing variation that pairs wonderfully with summer dessert recipes and ice cream.
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