Homemade Maraschino Cherries
Here's how to make homemade maraschino cherries two ways: a kid-friendly version for Shirleys and desserts and a boozy, adults-only version for cocktails.
Servings: 50
Ingredients
- 2 cups (300 grams) sour cherries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pit the cherries, leaving stems intact, and place into a pint-sized jar.
- Stir together the water and sugar in a small pot and heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Stir in lemon juice and vanilla.
- Pour syrup over cherries, submerging completely.
- Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight before using.
Notes
- Sour cherries, also called tart cherries, are delicate, thin-skinned, and bright red. As the name suggests, they're very sour, and they have a floral briskness that really shines when lightly sweetened. They come in several varieties, including Moreno and Montmorency (pictured). You can use them interchangeably.
- To make the adults-only version, all you'll need is the sour cherries and a cup of maraschino liqueur (such as Luxardo). Instead of making the sugar syrup, heat the liqueur until very hot to the touch. Pour over cherries and proceed as directed.
- Both versions of the cherries will keep in the fridge for at least a month.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 1kcal