Bourbon Cherries

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These homemade Bourbon Cherries are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. You can use them for garnish on a cocktail, serve them on a dessert bar, or gift them to special people in your life!

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

Bourbon Cherries

Last week, I shared my Pumpkin Old Fashioned recipe. If you saw that post, you may remember that I used bourbon cherries as a garnish for the cocktail. I promised that I’d share my recipe for Bourbon Cherries with you, so today I’m going to show you how to make them.

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe
Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

As I mentioned, I’ve been enjoying bourbon lately. I like to mix it with things, such as apple cider and cranberry juice, and typically, a cherry is an appropriate garnish. I’ve been using these Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, which I love, but I thought I’d try my hand at making my own. Instead of making sweeter cherries like the Luxardo, I opted for bourbon-soaked ones.

They are surprisingly easy to make!

How to Make Bourbon Cherries:

Start by prepping your cherries. Clean them, remove the stems, and then remove the pits. I used this cherry pitter, and it made the job easy.

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

Once your cherries are ready, pack them in mason jars. You’ll need 4 or 5 pint-sized jars. (As you’ll see, I had extra cherries so I ended up with 6 jars.)

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

Now, it’s time to make the bourbon syrup. In a medium saucepan, heat the bourbon and sugar just until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool for 15-20 minutes and then pour it over the cherries.

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

What bourbon should you use for Bourbon Cherries?

You can use whatever bourbon you like best, but I recommend something that isn’t top shelf or super expensive. My favorite bourbon is Four Rose Single Barrel. I also like Bulliet. Bulliet is a bit lower in price, so that is what I used for these cherries.

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

If you want your syrup to have a seasonal flair, add some cinnamon sticks and oranges. I kept my cherries neutral because I didn’t want any additional flavors to limit my use of them in future cocktail making.

And that’s it! Put lids on the jars and pop them into the refrigerator.

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

I recommend waiting at least one week before serving the cherries. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to one year.

While these cherries pack a punch on their own, they also make the perfect cocktail garnish. They aren’t as sweet as a Luxardo or traditional maraschino cherry, but I think you’ll find them just as delicious. Plus, it’s great to say that you made them!

Cocktail Recipes to Use Bourbon Cherries:

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe
Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

Whether you plan to keep them for your cocktail making adventures or give them as a gift, I hope you enjoy this recipe for Bourbon Cherries!

Cheers!

Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe
Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe
Learn how to make these homemade Bourbon Cherries. #bourbon #cherries #cocktail #garnish #recipe

Bourbon Cherries

These homemade Bourbon Cherries are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. You can use them for garnish on a cocktail, serve them on a dessert bar, or gift them to special people in your life!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bourbon, canned, cherries, cocktail
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5 pints
Calories: 612kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups bourbon
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups sweet cherries pitted and stems removed

Instructions

  • Add the bourbon and sugar to a medium saucepan. Simmer on low heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool for 15-20 minutes.
  • Divide the cherries into mason jars. You’ll need 4 or 5 pint-sized jars.
  • Pour the bourbon syrup over the cherries until it completely covers the fruit. Put the lids on tightly and store the cherries in the refrigerator. I recommend waiting 1-2 weeks before serving the cherries.
  • These cherries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one year.

Nutrition

Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

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27 Comments

  1. I guess you didn’t intend for your cherries to pack a punch if you cooked it. The alcohol is destroyed with heat. Could you just add a cooled simple syrup to the hooch before adding it to the fruit?

    1. Pamela,

      You’re not cooking the bourbon, you’re just warming it up to dissolve the sugar. This won’t cook off the alcohol. (And if it does it would be a very small percentage.) Trust me, these cherries still pack a punch. ‘

      xo Michael

  2. Can you CAN these for shelf storage? I am guessing the firmness of the cherry would hold up a bit, but I wonder what else would happen with that heat process….?

  3. WOA! I just discovered your amazing blog, Michael, and can’t make myself come away. I love, love, LOVE IT!! Love your style, the remodeling, the amazing decorating (so inspiring!), THE RECIPES, the music you use . . . I mean I’ll tell you what – I love it ALL. So ok I’m hooked for life, I’m afraid. Have to close this comment for now because I want to explore your site some more. I’m so excited I found you!

  4. Thanks Michael! I am a great bourbon lover! I have received bourbon cherries as a gift in the past and loved them too. Now I can make my own!! Maybe I will even share🥰 Yum!!