Make your own boozy cherries at home with this Homemade Luxardo Cherries Recipe. You can use these cherries in cocktails, desserts, and more!
Add a delightful twist to your cocktails and desserts, like my Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe, with these Boozy Luxardo Cherries. These luscious cherries are soaked in a Luxardo liqueur, infusing them with a delightful boozy essence that enhances their natural sweetness.
Whether you're garnishing your favorite cocktail or looking to elevate your desserts, these indulgent treats are sure to impress and add a touch of sophistication to your creations. And if you like fancy cocktail garnishes, check out my Dehydrated Oranges and my Candied Ginger recipes.
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love this Homemade Luxardo Cherry Recipe because it transforms ordinary cherries into boozy flavor bombs that add a touch of sophistication to any cocktail or dish, similar to my Boozy Sugared Cranberries. The combination of sweet cherries, aromatic spices, and the unique depth of flavor from the Luxardo Maraschino liqueur creates the perfect combination for a liquored-up garnish.
What is Maraschino Liqueur?
Maraschino liqueur originated in Croatia and is made from Marasca cherries. It's a clear, cherry-flavored liqueur that isn't overly sweet so it's perfect for cocktails like the Last Word Cocktail or my Gin Elderflower Cocktail.
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
Fresh Cherries - Fresh cherries are the star of the recipe, providing their natural sweetness and juicy texture. Choose ripe cherries that are firm and plump for the best results.
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur - Luxardo Maraschino liqueur is a special ingredient that gives these cherries their distinctive flavor. It adds a complex and bittersweet taste, enhancing the natural flavor of the cherries and providing a touch of elegance.
Vanilla Extract - Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cherries, adding a warm and aromatic note. It complements the sweetness of the cherries and adds depth to the syrup.
Cinnamon Stick - A cinnamon stick imparts a subtle and comforting spice flavor to the cherries. It adds a hint of warmth and complexity to the syrup.
Freshly Ground Nutmeg - Freshly ground nutmeg provides a delicate and earthy flavor to the cherries. It adds a touch of warmth and depth that complements the other ingredients. You can use ground nutmeg or omit it if desired.
Lemon Juice - Fresh lemon juice or zest adds a bright and citrusy note to the cherries. It enhances the freshness and tanginess of the cherries, balancing the sweetness. Freshly squeezed is best, the bottled stuff has extra citric acid and additives that will change the flavor of the cherries.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Luxardo Cherries
Place the sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the cherries and bring to a simmer again for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Luxardo liqueur. Allow the mixture to cool completely before putting it into a sealable jar.
Recipe FAQs
No, these cherries are slightly different. They are boozy from the Luxardo liqueur and the syrup is not as thick.
If you want candied cocktail cherries with thick syrup, try my Amarena Cherry Recipe! It's a non-boozy cherry, but also perfect for cocktail garnishes.
This recipe works best with fresh cherries and I'm lucky to live in a place that is known for its cherries. I get my cherries from a local farm who are known for its Bing cherries which I use here. You want a sweet, red cherry that is nice and firm.
Any home bar should have a bottle of Maraschino Liqueur in it. If you can find the Luxardo brand, Maraska, and Lazzarroni are both good options. And if you can't find maraschino liqueur at all, try Cherry Heering or Cherry Kirsch as a substitution.
I have not tried canning these cherries, however, other readers have told me they have. If you do can them, make sure to follow safe canning guidelines.
How to Use These Boozy Cherries
Obviously, these cherries are amazing in cocktails. You can use them as a garnish or as part of the drink. They can also be served as a small dessert, or even better, covered in chocolate.
The syrup has so many uses as well including being used in my Fresh Cherry Tart recipe. Just like the cherries, this syrup is perfect for the sweet ingredient in a cocktail. You can also drizzle it over some ice cream for a boozy treat.
These Luxardo Cherries also make an amazing gift for your cocktail-loving friends. Place the cherries in jars, place a homemade or printed tag on them with a bow, and you will have a homemade gift that anyone would love.
Looking for a Non-Boozy Cocktail Cherry?
Check out my Amarena Cherry post for a non-boozy cherry recipe. These cherries also make a great cocktail garnish. Since they are not made with alcohol, they can also be used in desserts and as a topping for those who can't or don't drink alcohol.
Other Liqueur & Syrup Recipes to Check Out
If you get a chance to make these Homemade Luxardo Cherries, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! 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.
Homemade Luxardo Cherries
Equipment
- cherry pitter
- sealable glass jar
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg
- juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup water
- 3-4 cups fresh cherries, stems removed and pitted
- 1 cup Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
Instructions
- Place the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, lemon juice, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture and bring it to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cherries and bring the mixture to a simmer again for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Luxardo liqueur.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely and remove the cinnamon stick before adding to a sealable jar, about an hour. Store in the fridge for several weeks.
Notes
- No, these cherries are slightly different. They are boozy from the Luxardo liqueur and the syrup is not as thick. If you want candied cocktail cherries with thick syrup, try my Amarena Cherry Recipe! It's a non-boozy cherry, but also perfect for cocktail garnishes.
- Any home bar should have a bottle of Maraschino Liqueur in it. If you can find the Luxardo brand, Maraska, and Lazzarroni are both good options. And if you can't find maraschino liqueur at all, try Cherry Heering or Cherry Kirsch as a substitution.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
John says
In lieu of fresh cherries, I made this recipe with (unsweetened, unsulfured) dried dark sweet cherries from Trader Joe’s, one 6-oz package (these fluffed up nicely during prep). I didn’t have any vanilla on hand so I added a good pinch of freshly ground cardamom. The result is fab on initial tasting - further testing in a Manhattan is eagerly anticipated…
Emily says
Hi John, sounds like an inventive and delicious combo. I hope your Manhattan was fabulous!🥃
lazybones says
about to try these. can i keep the pits? i’m too lazy but want to make sure they won’t mess up the recipe
Emily says
It won’t mess up the recipe, but it may add a little almond flavor to the syrup.
cfaim says
Followed the recipe exactly. This is nothing like Luxardo cherries from the jar.
Emily says
Hi, this is a boozy cherry recipe using luxardo liqueur. If you are looking for a non-boozy cherry, try this recipe: https://emilyfabulous.com/amarena-cherry-recipe/