Bourbon-Soaked Cherries Recipe

Maraschino, you've met your match

Cherries make a quick cameo in the summer, but one way to preserve the prized fruit is to soak it in alcohol.

We love the oaky, caramel flavors of bourbon—and those notes just happen to pair well with tart cherries. We add a touch of sugar, some orange juice and zest and bit of vanilla; what you end up with is some boozy fruit that's delicious on top of ice cream and in cocktails. Manhattan, anyone?

To learn more, read our story "Super Soakers."

Recipe from the Tasting Table Test kitchen

Bourbon-Soaked Cherries
5 from 11 ratings
Learn to make bourbon-soaked cherries. 
Prep Time
15
minutes
Cook Time
5
minutes
Servings
1
15-ounce jar
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 1-inch strip orange peel
  • 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ pound cherries, pitted
Directions
  1. Combine the bourbon, sugar, orange juice and orange peel in a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Combine the bourbon mixture and the cherries in a 15-ounce sterilized container and seal. Allow the contents to cool to room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator. Chill for at least three days before using. The cherries will keep for up to 1 month.
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