Homemade Maraschino Cherries {DIY Cocktail Cherries}
Author: 
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pint cherries (sweet or sour)
  • 1 cup maraschino liqueur (or other liqueur, such as brandy, bourbon, grand marnier, amaretto, rum, etc....)
Optional:
  • ½ - 1½ cups granulated sugar (1/2 cup is just enough to take the edge of the alcohol and make a lightly sweet cherry, while 1½ cups will make a sweet, syrupy cherry -- play around to find what you like best.)
  • 2-3 TBSP 100% tart cherry juice concentrate (this adds a boost of cherry flavor, and gives the syrup a deep red hue)
  • Whole spices, to taste (whole clove, star anise, cinnamon, black peppercorns, or strips of orange zest are all possibilities -- add these to the jar with the cherries, but don't let them steep too long. I recommend removing them after 5-7 days to prevent the flavor from becoming too strong.)
Instructions
  1. Wash and pit all the cherries. You can leave the stems on, as I did, or remove them.
  2. Place the cherries in a thoroughly cleaned, tightly lidded jar. (Don't overfill your jar like I did -- leave enough room for the alcohol to cover the cherries completely, without spilling over when you close the lid. If you pack the jar too full, and the alcohol doesn't cover them all, be sure to give the jar a flip upside down every few days to ensure the cherries get drunk evenly.)
  3. Add the liqueur to a small saucepan, and place over medium heat. (If you're using sugar, add the sugar to the pot along with the liqueur.) Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat. (Stir in the tart cherry juice concentrate, if using).
  4. Pour the hot liqueur over the cherries in the jar, and close the lid. Let cool to room temperature, then place in the fridge and let sit for a minimum of two weeks. The cherries should keep for at least several months, and the flavor will get better with age.
Notes
Use wherever maraschino cherries are called for (perfect for manhattan's and pina coladas). Or atop vanilla ice cream. Or eat them straight out of the jar. Or, you could hang out here and wait for my next blog post, in which I'll be making some boozy cherry limeade using these babies. Just sayin'.
Recipe by Will Cook For Friends at https://www.willcookforfriends.com/2014/08/homemade-maraschino-cherries-diy-cocktail-cherries.html