Years of travelling has taught us that fresh, local ingredients make everything taste better. This includes cocktails. And, all good cocktails (and ice cream) should have good cherries. This bourbon cocktail cherries recipe is inspired by some of the great cocktail bars that we’ve visited over the years. These are upgrade to store bought Maraschino cherries. How impressed will your friends and family be next time you invite them over and serve them a sundae or a cocktail with a delicious cherry on top? And, one that you made yourself!

Bourbon Cocktail Cherries

Course Cocktails, Dessert

Cuisine Cocktail

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings 2 Pints

Calories 5kcal

Author Wary Travelers

Ingredients

1 pound fresh local cherries pitted and stems removed
1 cup Water
1 cup honey or other sweetener of your choice
1 tbs vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 Cinnamon Stick
1 strip of orange peel or a few dashes of Orange Bitters
Bourbon Can use Rum, Brandy or Whiskey

Instructions

Place the pitted cherries in two clean pint-sized mason jars, or into several smaller mason jars. You want the jars to be filled loosely, almost to the top.
Combine the water, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and orange peel in a medium saucepan.
Gently stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce to low heat and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
Add 3 to 4 oz of Bourbon to each jar. If you are using smaller jars, use the same ratio per volume.
Remove the liquid from the heat. Pour the mixture gently over the cherries until covered.
Seal the jars, gently shake to mix the bourbon and let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, place in the fridge for at least 3 days before using.
These cherries will last 2 to 3 months.

Notes

If you want to remove the alcohol content and keep the liquor flavor, simply add the Bourbon to the mixture and simmer it.

Orange peels are great to use, but if you have orange bitters can add even more aroma and flavor to your cherries.

Also, keep in mind that you can use any of your favorite alcohol as a substitute for Bourbon. We sometimes make these with rum, or even a flavored vodka. And, the method described will leave the alcohol in the jars, keeping them preserved longer.

Finally, if you are looking for other uses for these bourbon cocktail cherries, we used them to decorate a great chocolate cake. Click here for the recipe.

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