Luxardo Cherries

Although the store-bought version of Luxardo Cherries is great, homemade Luxardo Cherries serve as the best garnishing for the cocktail. Homemade Luxardo Cherries are made up of Luxardo liqueur. You can also try other spices for your homemade version of Luxardo Cherries.

But what makes the Maraschino Cherry Recipe so unique? The remarkable thing about this recipe is that it allows you to use the liqueur and spices of your choice to make a cocktail according to your taste. If you don’t have Maraschino, you can use brandy or an aged rum instead.

This will give you equally great taste. You can use Cinnamon and Cloves if you don’t like the taste of Nutmeg. They give excellent taste and can be a fantastic gift for your old-fashioned friends and Manhattan lovers.

A perfectly garnished Cocktail looks enchanting and tastes great as well. We ensure the use of the freshest and the best quality ingredients to make our cherries. We always look forward to enhancing our core ingredients to provide you with the best quality product you deserve.

Ingredients

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 cinnamon stick

• ½ cup water

• 1 pinch kosher salt

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 cup Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

• 1 lb cherries, pitted and stemmed

Instructions 

1. Prep Jars

   • Wash canning jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water.

   • Place jars in a large pot of simmering water (not boiling) to keep them hot until ready to fill.

   • Keep lids in a small pot of hot (not boiling) water to soften the sealing compound.

2. Make Syrup

   • In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and salt.

   • Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.

3. Add Cherries & Liqueur

   • Stir in cherries and Luxardo liqueur.

   • Simmer for 5 minutes until cherries just begin to soften.

4. Fill Jars

   • Using a slotted spoon, pack cherries into the hot jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.

   • Pour hot syrup over cherries, keeping the same headspace.

   • Remove air bubbles with a clean utensil, then wipe rims with a damp cloth.

5. Seal & Process

   • Place lids on jars and screw bands fingertip-tight.

   • Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (start timing once the water returns to a full boil).

   • Adjust for altitude: Add 1 minute for every 1,000 ft above sea level over 1,000 ft.

6. Cool & Store

   • Remove jars and place on a towel. Let cool undisturbed for 12–24 hours.

   • Check seals — the lid should be concave and not flex when pressed.

   • Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.

Notes

• You can use fresh or frozen cherries. If using frozen, thaw and drain them before adding to the syrup.

• Both sweet and sour cherries work — choose based on your preferred flavor profile. Sour cherries give a more classic cocktail bite.

• Stored in the fridge, they’ll keep for several weeks and get even better as they sit.

Classic Old-Fashioned with Luxardo Cherries

Ingredients

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 cherries (Luxardo preferred)

• 2 oz bourbon

• Club soda (splash)

• 4 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1½ orange wheels

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass, add sugar, 1 cherry, 1 orange wheel, bitters, and a splash of club soda.

2. Muddle gently to dissolve the sugar.

3. Remove the orange, then add bourbon and a large ice cube (or several smaller ones).

4. Garnish with the remaining orange wheel and a Luxardo cherry. Serve immediately.

What makes these cherries different from regular cherries?

When you think of Cherries, the regular pinkish-red Maraschino cherries that are readily available in grocery stores pop up in your mind. These Cherries are way different and better than those regular cherries.

Luxardo Cocktail Cherries have a unique taste. Unlike regular cherries, Luxardo Cocktail Cherries are dipped into warm water to induce higher levels of lusciousness. Luxardo Maraschino liqueur gives a unique signature taste to these Luxardo Cherries.

Which Cherries are best for Luxardo?

I’ve always used the regular, sweet-in-taste, pinkish-red cherries that are available at all grocery stores. You can also try sour cherries. I’ve seen many recipes that use sour cherries.

These cherries are absolutely fine to use. But I’ve never used them personally. If you try sour cherries, don’t forget to share your experience with me.

What Luxardo Maraschino actually is?

Luxardo Maraschino is a liqueur made up of ripe Marasca Cherries (a sour cherry), pits, leaves, branches, honey, and some other secret ingredients. 

The interesting fact about Luxardo Maraschino is that it provides floral, nutty piney, and flavors while still maintaining its primary taste of cherries.

How can you use Luxardo cherries?

I’m actually a Bourbon lover, so I think they are perfect for old-fashioned. You can also enjoy plopping them into a strong cocktail.