A Beginner's Guide To Cocktail Cherries

Luxardo exists on the polar opposite end of the spectrum than the bright red Maraschino cherries. They are considered a gourmet treat that garnishes the most sophisticated of cocktails. But according to Vine Pair, Luxardo and Maraschino cherries are really one and the same — Luxardo cherries technically started off as Maraschino cherries at the turn of the century. By the 20th century the Luxardo family (who had typically produced a cherry liquor) had pivoted to canning pitted cherries in a sugary syrup (via Vine Pair). By the time of Prohibition, an American scientist began "mixing sweet American Royal Anne cherries with brine and calcium salts." And these cherries have been criticized for being much more artificial and sweet in taste.

With Prohibition long over, Luxardo cherries are once again pretty easy to import, but they're a bit more expensive, according to Vine Pair. As described by the Luxardo company, their cherries have no additives or preservatives. The cherries contain no alcohol, though they are preserved in the same cherry syrup that's used to infuse the producer's cherry liquor to this day. Unique to the brand, Luxardo promises that their cherries have a certain firmness to them that's reminiscent of a fresh cherry! With all that in mind, it may be worth it to invest in this luxury Italian cherry for your next cocktail!

Okay, if heat isn't what you expect when enjoying a cherry, maybe it can be a welcome surprise. Stonewall Kitchen Tillen Farms' Fire & Spiced Cherries are as yummy as they are bold — they definitely deserve some attention in the world of cocktails. Described by the company as a more "delicate heat," it's not as if the recipe screams Tabasco or Sriracha. Rather, gentler spices like cinnamon and chili extract are going to give these cherries a little "kick."  

Multiple reviewers sourced from the aforementioned site and Amazon observe that these cherries do really well with an Old Fashioned cocktail. For those unfamiliar, an Old Fashioned is a traditional cocktail made with a bourbon or rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, sugar, and water. The addition of a spicy cherry will add a new depth to an already stellar cocktail. Fair warning — as noted by the Amazon reviewer, there is a "bite" to this cherry!

There's something unmistakably provocative about Filthy Food's Filthy Black Amarena Cherries, that may sound just as enticing as they do intimidating. Presented in a decidedly modern package, Filthy Food leans away from kitsch and tradition, but embraces all of the sweet notes that define these sour cherries.

The edgy food brand opts for wild Italian amarena cherries, which are heralded in the foodie world as the gourmet cherry du jour (via Pregel America). Based in Miami, Filthy Food is an American company that, in comparison to other American cherry brands, makes products dedicated to the bar, as per their company site. This means those amarena cherries are being slow cooked for their end game: Beautifully-crafted, high-proof whiskey cocktails. In this case, the whiskey sour comes to mind. The modern brand also has a few buying options in comparison to more old-school brands — you can purchase a jar or tin of these truly astounding cherries.

Don't let the name fool you, similar to other cherries on the list Collins' Bordeaux cherries are technically maraschino cherries, although they're produced in a different way (via Walmart). Collins' Chicago is a family business first opened by two brothers in the 1930s in the Windy City (via Collins Chicago). The brothers specialized in bottle openers and homemade syrups — over time, garnishes became their claim to fame. And it only made sense that the family business would find a way to master the art of a good cherry garnish.

The Collins' Bordeaux Cherries represent the gourmet spirit and creativity associated with the old-timey brand. While they are classified as maraschino cherries, the way that they are manufactured and preserved leaves them with a much deeper — descriptively Bordeaux — color and less sweet but with all the rich taste. There's something still laid back in the spirit of Collins' Chicago: The cherries can be purchased at Walmart for as little as $12.99 and the company guarantees satisfaction, or you're welcome to a refund.  

Just about all of the cocktail cherries on the list are either from Italy or the United States, which is understandable given that the history the two countries share with the cherry. But, there are other places to find a good cherry — would anyone be surprised to learn that one of these places is France?

The Distilleries Peureux is a distillery with quite a large past and maybe even larger reputation. First opened in 1864, the company is located in the East of France, just shy of the Swiss border, which may explain why they specialized in Kirsch liqueur. It was around a century later that the French distillers turned their heads, hearts, and hands toward the full cherry as well. What resulted is the Distilleries Peureux Griottines Cherries, which are for those who believe their cherries swim best in a bit of Kirschwasser, or cherry liqueur. This particular liqueur is a brandy made from the very Morello cherries that fill the glass.

These particular cherries originate from the Balkans and are notably more sour than other varieties on the list (via European Deli). They are strong in character, and when suspended in a sour liquor, are not for the faint of hearts or those who have an insatiable sweet tooth. But, for those who want a more old world approach to their cocktail cherries, look no further.

In the Curious Kitchen Boozy Cherries bring out all the best booziness of the Bluegrass State in their cherries. This is pretty stellar, given that the so-called small batch company is based in Kentucky, so they're sure to have access to some of the most flavorful bourbons around. As per the company's website, while the booze is all American, the cherries are purely Italian. There's something very poetic in combining the long-adored cherry traditions of the two countries into one jar.

These cherries are a bit pricey, at $19 for a 9 oz. jar at the date of writing, but what's the price on quality anyway? The Kentucky-based company suggests adding a bit more booze to the cherries by mixing one or two into an Old Fashioned. For those building their bars, In the Curious Kitchen thankfully offers an Old Fashioned Kit to accompany the cherries.

Not every cocktail cherry is award-winning, but then again not every cocktail cherry is a Peninsula Premium cocktail cherry. In fact, the name "premium" seems to be the perfect descriptor for these cherries. As per the cherry's Amazon description, the brand's cherries won an international consumer based competition in 2019 that sought to rank gourmet ingredients.

The cherries are sourced from Michigan, and are described as having a complex blend of flavors that's neither too sweet nor too acidic. There's even a bit of a nut flavor to these fantastically complex cherries, that come delivered in a deliciously thick situation (via Amazon). As one Amazon reviewer comments, with cherry or cherry juice based recipes (and cocktails), it's the quality of the product that ensures the quality of the drink. In this line of thought, the reviewer assures that opting for premium is the only way to go. Though the reviewer does warn, with this brand, you run the risk of eating the entire jar in one setting! That's just how good these cherries are.