Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Leah Hall
These homemade bourbon soaked cherries are easy to make and so great as cocktail garnishes!
Bourbon Soaked Cherries are a delicious and indulgent treat. Easy to make, make sure to keep them on hand for your next cocktail party or in a dessert as a boozy touch. They are a perfect edible gift, so get to making some for Christmas! They make a great garnish for any cocktail, as well as our Sparkly Edible Glitter Cherries, too! These cherries are a simple recipe, but so flavorful!
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A really good cocktail cherry is a home bars’ best friend. There are so many classic cocktails that call for a cherry garnish: Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Manhattan even a tropical Mai Tai. We personally don’t really like those florescent red cherries that are normally sold in the store. We also have made our own homemade boozy cherries for years, but usually brandy based. So, we switched gears to make bourbon soaked cherries!
How To Make Bourbon Soaked Cherries
You have to start off by pitting the cherries, which can be an interesting chore by itself. We use a great OXO Cherry Pitter with a guard so the cherry juice doesn’t spray everywhere. To use one of these is super fast and little mess. We highly recommend getting one for yourself, especially if you make a lot of cherry pies or cherry cocktails. The cherry pitter also doubles as an olive pitter!
No cooking involved, except for making the homemade simple syrup. The simple syrup can be made using a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrup is best stored in canning jars or other airtight container, make sure to get the recipe homemade simple syrup.
After the cherries are pitted, make a simple syrup for the base of these Bourbon Soaked Cherries. Then you add the other ingredients and marinate in a jar for at least 1 week, 2 weeks preferably.
Not only are the Bourbon Soaked Cherries delicious, but the Cherry Infused Bourbon makes for a delicious cocktail once these have steeped in the bourbon! Delish!
Ingredients in the Bourbon Cherries Recipe
- Cherries – fresh cherries are best, you can use frozen if that is all you have access to. Using a cherry pitter, pit the cherries first!
- Simple Syrup – a homemade simple syrup is easy to make, and you only need 1/4 of a cup. This helps sweeten up the cherries slightly.
- Vanilla Extract – a lovely addition to this recipe, vanilla adds a sweet and light addition to these boozy bourbon cherries!
- Citrus Juice – you can either use fresh squeezed lemon juice or orange juice will both do the trick. This helps add some acidity to this recipe! You can also just add some orange peels to the recipe while it infuses instead of the fresh juice.
- Orange Liqueur – you can use any orange liqueur you have, but the sweeter the better, as this, along with this sugar syrup adds sweeteness. Cointreau, triple sec or Grand Marnier will work perfectly well.
- Bourbon or Whiskey – we used bourbon, but any whiskey will do. Use a whiskey that you like drinking, it will make these bourbon-soaked cherries even more special.
How To Use Your Bourbon Soaked Cherries
- They will last up to 6 months stored in the fridge. A great choice for holiday giving coming up!
- As an addition or garnish to your favorite cocktail such as an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
- As topping on a dessert (cheesecake) or over vanilla ice cream, yum!
- Add to sangria for a boozier kick!
- Snack on them. We don’t judge!
Check out our other boozy cherry recipe, Brandied Cherries, and other cherry recipes like our Old Fashioned Panna Cotta.
What Bourbon To Use?
Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve or Evan Williams are all good bourbon whiskey options. You can also try with a rye if you prefer them a little spicier. But, honestly the type of bourbon may not matter, just use what you would like and drink by itself.
What Type of Cherries to Use?
We use more tart cherries if we can. There is quite a bit of sugar in these, and the tartness of the cherries helps to balance this out.
Can I Just Buy Bourbon Cherries?
While we highly recommend making your own, you can buy boozy cherries at many many liquor stores or most local grocery stores. You can even buy them online!
What Cocktails are Perfect for Garnishing with Bourbon Cherries?
Use Bourbon Cherries in a Brandied Chocolate Manhattan as a garnish or muddle in a Ginger Cherry Smash. A Cherry Whiskey Sour and an Old Fashioned are also classic cocktails that call for boozy cherries!
Cheers!
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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Other Boozy Fruit
- Boozy Sugared Cranberries – Emily Fabulous
- Boozy Raspberry Eton Mess – Sugar with Spice Blog
- Tequila Infused Grapes – Take Two Tapas
- Sherry Affogato with Raisins and Prunes – Little Sugar Snaps
- Boozy Strawberry Shortcake Dip – Mantitlement
Bourbon Soaked Cherries
These bourbon soaked cherries are a great boozy addition to a cocktail or dessert! Easy to make, these boozy cherries make a great and tasty garnish!
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherries, pitted
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1.50 Tablespoons lemon juice or orange juice
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- 6 ounces bourbon or whiskey
Instructions
1. Using a cherry pitter (we use one with a splash guard), remove the pits from cherries. Try to keep them whole, as they make a prettier garnish on your cocktails later. This is the messy part - the cherries spray everywhere!
2. Place pitted cherries into a quart canning jar, (32 oz).
3. Top with simple syrup, vanilla extract, juice and orange liqueur. Stir.
4. Top with bourbon or whiskey. Place lid on jar and place jar in dark, dry area for 2 weeks. Occasionally go and shake the jar of cherries. And taste after a week, as you make like them then.
5. We let ours go for at least 2 weeks before trying, so it's up to you if you can't wait.
6. We store ours in the fridge so it adds to the chillness of a fresh cocktail, but it can be stored on the counter, as well.
7. Cheers!
Notes
These bourbon soaked cherries should be really tasty and able to be used for up to 6 months.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Sodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 8.1gFiber: .1gSugar: .1gProtein: .1g
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Jamie
Friday 4th of August 2023
Quick question: After the two weeks in dry storage, do these need to be transferred to the refrigerator, or can they continue to be stored out of refrigeration? We found a great deal on fresh cherries and are wondering if we could make these now to give as Christmas gifts (so, almost five months away). Thanks!
The Noms
Sunday 6th of August 2023
Hi Jamie! We would encourage you to put them in the fridge because they will break down a bit, even if they are in alcohol. But, you could totally can them if you are wanting to keep them at room temp. We keep ours in the fridge for Christmas gifts too, and have had no issues. I can leave one out this year and see what happens! Leah