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.
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 a 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.
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.
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 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.
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Swathi says
Looks yum. I like homemade version of cherries rather than store bought cheeries.
Emily says
Almost everything is better homemade!
Debra says
Surprisingly easy to make, and so much tastier than the jarred ones.
Emily says
I agree, Debra! So easy to make and homemade is always best.
Natalie says
What a lovely idea to use cherries. Sounds great! I will definitely make this. Thanks.
Jessica says
How have I never done this before! So, So Soooo good!!
Emily says
LOL, thanks, Jessica! Now you can make them all the time!
Lindsay says
Thanks so much for this great recipe and all the ideas of how to use these amazing cherries! I can't wait to try them out!
Emily says
No problem Lindsay, I hope you like them as much as I do!
Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
This sounds perfect to drink with any Christmassy treat. I never thought to prepare drinks rather than buying them, but I'm saving this recipe. I have a feeling this is the year! I can't wait for Christmas!
Emily says
This is the year to try out your own cocktails and these cherries will be the perfect touch!
Alyssa says
I never would have thought to make my own cocktail cherries! That is such a creative idea. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to try it.
Emily says
Thank you, Alyssa, you are going to love these cherries in your cocktails!
jill says
My sister and I are always experimenting with holiday cocktails. She'll love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
You are welcome Jill, you could make some as a gift for your sister. Happy cocktailing!
Chef Dennis says
This is making me hungry!
Alexandra says
The perfect festive sweet treat - these also make such a wonderful edible gift!
Emily says
Thanks, Alexandra! I would love to receive these as a gift for sure!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
Oh yummy! What a great garnish for cocktails!!!
Audrey says
Such a good recipe to use up cherries with!
Emily says
Yes, I totally agree and you could make a small batch if you wanted to!
Ramona says
Love the sound of this. My parents used to make something similar. For me, I love anything with cherries so I must make this as soon as possible.
Emily says
I hope you get a chance to try these and they bring back sweet memories!
Amy says
Exactly what I need for all the cocktails I'm going to be making for xmas!
Emily says
Oh good! And don't forget, they make a great gift too!