Make this Amarena Cherry Recipe and you will have the same delicious cherries you love for your cocktails for way less than buying them at the store. This cherry recipe is so easy to make, only has 2 ingredients, and tastes just like the cherries you find in a fancy jar.
I have been searching FOREVER for a recipe that comes close to the cocktail cherries in a jar from the grocery store. I finally found one!! This recipe is from the book Drinking French by David Lebovitz.
My friend gifted me this book and I couldn't believe that on the very last page was a recipe for Amarena Cherries!! This recipe isn't made from actual Amarena cherries but comes really close to the dessert cherries found in ceramic jars.
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Why I Love This Recipe
I Love This Amarena Cherry Recipe because it's the closest recipe I could find to the cocktail cherries you find at high-end bars or grocery stores. I also love this recipe because it only takes 2 ingredients and a little patience to make.
Once you realize how easy it is to make these cocktail cherries, similar to my Luxardo Cherries, you may never pay full price for cherries in a jar. Homemade cocktail cherries are a delightful addition to your home bar, allowing you to elevate your cocktails with a personal touch like my Dehydrated Oranges.
What are Amarena Cherries?
Amarena cherries are a variety of sour cherry that is small and dark with a tart and delicious flavor. They are a summer fruit usually picked in July and are high in vitamins A, B1, and C.
According to Wikipedia, "The Amarena cherry (Italian: amarena) is a small sour dark colored Italian cherry grown in Bologna and Modena, two cities of Italy. It is usually bottled in syrup and used as a decoration on rich chocolate desserts".
In today's modern world, the Amarena cherry has become known in cocktail bars as the luxury cherry on top! They are firm, sweet, and are stored in delicious syrup. Amarena cherries can now be found in most grocery stores and liquor stores.
Ingredients Needed to Make This Recipe
This recipe only has TWO ingredients. That's right. Two ingredients. All you need is canned sour cherries and sugar. You can find canned sour cherries at your local supermarket, and even better, they are pretty inexpensive. I used regular white sugar but you could also use turbinado sugar if you wanted to.
Do you want a Boozy Cherry Instead?
If you want more booze in your cherries for cocktails or desserts, check out my Luxardo Cherries Recipe. You can make boozy little treats with fresh cherries and Maraschino Liqueur. That is to say, these are another way to get cherry flavor into your favorite drinks or desserts.
How to Make Amarena Cocktail Cherries
Add the can of cherries (juice and all) and sugar to a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer if you have one and bring the mixture to a boil over med-high heat.
Reduce the heat and simmer with bubbles until the mixture becomes foamy. You want the temperature to get to 225° and you don't want the syrup to caramelize. The cherries start out a bright light red/orangy color but will slowly turn a dark red color and shrivel slightly. This is what you want!
Whether you are using a thermometer or not, you are looking for a honey-like consistency and a color change to know when the cherries are done. This took about 35 minutes for me.
Transfer the cherries and syrup into a sealable jar and allow them to cool. You can refrigerate the cherries for up to a year (if they last that long!).
Expert Tips for This Recipe
- A candy thermometer will help tremendously for this recipe. You can still make this recipe without one, but it does make it easier.
- Whether you are using a thermometer or not, you are looking for a honey-like consistency and color change to know when the cherries are done. This took about 35 minutes for me.
- These cherries make a great gift. Simply wrap the jar with a nice ribbon, add a tag, and you are good to go. Who wouldn't want these delicious cherries?
What To Use These Cherries For
These cherries are perfect for cocktails because they are firm, sweet, and taste amazing. Try them in my Elderflower Gin Cocktail or the Last Word Cocktail and you will not be disappointed. You can also use these cherries for desserts or just a quick sweet treat.
Recipe FAQs
Store the cherries and syrup in a sealable jar and allow them to cool before putting on the lid. Because of the high sugar content, you can refrigerate the cherries for up to a year.
Canned cherries in water are the recommended choice for this recipe because of their texture from being canned and the water they are stored in which is full of flavor.
Yes, the syrup that results from this recipe is packed with flavor and perfect for mixing cocktails or mocktails.
If you plan to can these cocktail cherries make sure you follow proper canning procedures to ensure they are sealed and safe to store at room temperature. Ensure the jars and lids are sterilized and follow all guidelines for safe canning.
If you get a chance to make these Meyer Lemon Cream Puffs tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Amarena Cherry Recipe
Equipment
- candy thermometer (optional)
- sealable glass jar
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can sour cherries
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Add the entire can of cherries with the juice and the sugar to a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer if you have one. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat and simmer with bubbles until the mixture becomes foamy. You want the temperature to get to 225° and you don't want the syrup to caramelize. The cherries start out a bright light red/orangy color but will slowly turn a dark red color and shrivel slightly. This is what you want! Whether you are using a thermometer or not, you are looking for a honey-like consistency and color change to know when the cherries are done. This took about 35 minutes for me.
- Transfer the cherries and syrup into a sealable jar and allow them to cool before putting on the lid. You can refrigerate the cherries for up to a year (if they last that long!).
Video
Notes
- Store the cherries and syrup in a sealable jar and allow them to cool before putting on the lid. Because of the high sugar content, you can refrigerate the cherries for up to a year.
- Canned cherries in syrup are the recommended choice for this recipe because of their texture from being canned in syrup and the syrup itself.
- The syrup that results from this recipe is packed with flavor and perfect for mixing cocktails or mocktails.
- If you plan to can these cocktail cherries make sure you follow proper canning procedures to ensure they are sealed and safe to store at room temperature. Ensure the jars and lids are sterilized and follow all guidelines for safe canning.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Van says
Hi if I were to use fresh cherries, would much adjustments need to be done?
Emily says
Hi Van, I haven't tried this recipe with fresh cherries. I have another recipe https://emilyfabulous.com/homemade-luxardo-cherries/ that does use fresh cherries, so I can speak to that. When using fresh cherries, they do not get the same texture as canned cherries, probably because the canned cherries have been sitting in sugar after being processed once already. I also think that you will get a different taste result since the juice in the can has a cherry flavor that is getting added to the overall recipe. The Luxardo recipe doesn't cook for as long as the amarena recipe so you will develop more cherry flavor just from cooking it longer. I would also add a splash of lemon juice just to add a little acidity and brightness. If you do try this recipe with fresh cherries, I'd love to hear how it turns out.
Yvonne Speck says
What’s the difference between Amerena and Luxardo chrrrires for cocktails?
Emily says
It depends, if you are referring to the jarred cherries in the grocery store usually near the cocktail aisle, they are basically the same IMO. Amarena is a variety of cherries used in the Fabbri brand. Luxardo uses mascara cherries. My amarena recipe does not use either variety specifically but gets close to the taste and texture of the jarred cherries. I also have a Luxardo cherry recipe that uses the actual liqueur to flavor the cherries. I hope this helps!
Debra says
I love this idea. A colorful addition to any cocktail and so easy too.
Emily says
They are perfect for cocktails, thanks, Debra!
Ramona says
Oh my! I love anything with cherries and this would be such a great addition to my pantry. I must find the cherries in water I hope we have those here too. , it’d be great 👍 I’m drooling. Great idea and these look soo soo good !
Emily says
I hope you can find them, they sometimes come in a jar or a can. They are so delicious and if you love cherries you definitely need these in your life!
Kay says
Super easy, I never knew it would be that easy to do myself!
Emily says
Almost too easy, right?!?
Leslie says
Thanks for sharing your discovery! These look great!!
Audrey says
These have such a great flavor and are so easy!
Emily says
Thanks, Audrey, the easier the better in my book!
Sara says
How fun are these?! Adding to my cocktail repertoire.
Emily says
It's a good recipe to have on hand and perfect for craft cocktails!
Amy says
Yum! Would be a great addition to my grazing platters!
Emily says
Yes, great idea! They are easy to snack on, I know from experience!
Raquel says
So good and perfect for the season!
Leah says
Yum!! My first job was sorting cherries over summer break so I have a sense of nostalgia when it comes to cherries. These sound delicious and easy to make!
Emily says
I bet you never thought sorting cherries would bring back memories 😃 I hope you get a chance to try these!
Sue says
I made these cherries this weekend and OMG are they GOOD! Sweet and tart in every bite! They work great as a cocktail garnish but I think they would also be fabulous as a sauce on a dessert, like a cheesecake. Many possibilities with this one!
Emily says
I'm so glad you loved these cherries, Sue! I totally agree these would be amazing in a dessert as well...I LOVE the cheesecake idea. This needs to happen, LOL!
Kalu Lor says
So easy and it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Emily says
You're welcome, Kalu! They really are pretty easy to make.