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A spoon coming out of a jar of maraschino cherries.

Homemade Maraschino Cherries (Better Than Store-Bought!)

Skylar Littley
Skip the store-bought jar! Learn how to make homemade maraschino cherries that are naturally delicious and perfect for desserts and cocktails.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert, Topping
Cuisine Italian - American
Servings 12
Calories 119 kcal

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

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.
How to Store and Reheat
Store your homemade maraschino 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 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—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.
 
Can I make maraschino cherries without alcohol?
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.
How long do homemade maraschino cherries last?
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.
Do I need to pit the cherries before using them?
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.
Are homemade maraschino cherries better than store-bought?
OMG, yes, they are. They’re fresher, naturally flavored, and free from artificial dyes. Trust me, after one taste you’ll be convinced.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 49mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg
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