A cherry on top of an ice cream sundae is okay, but there are few things as satisfying as a cherry at the bottom of a co*cktail glass. We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill cherries, either, because the cherry you use in yourManhattan does matter.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Premium co*cktail Cherries
Fabbri Amarena Cherries
Toschi Sour Cherries
Griottines Brandy Soaked Cherries
(Forget how to make a Manhattan? Check out this video.)
Like we said, these aren’t the sickly sweet, fluorescent red cherries you find on top the whipped cream or in restaurant Cherry co*ke (and, sometimes, in a poorly-made co*cktail). Somehow those fake cherries (we use the word ‘fake’ literally here) sat atop the co*cktail heap for decades. Not anymore, though, as other producers are bringing real cherries with real flavor to bars across the world.
From Italy, these sweet cherries have certainly recently captured the co*cktail world —and eventhe culinary world —by storm. It’s for good reason, they’re the “original,” according to the label and company story. The intense flavor, including beautiful almond notes, can leave some weak in the knees. Unlike the red cherries of the ice cream parlor, these fruits come in an almost-purple hue. They also come with a pretty steep price tag — Williams Sonoma sells a single jar for $20. They’re worth it, though, as they come from an Italian distillery making the famed cherry-flavored liqueur, Maraschino. They then created the OG maraschino cherry by candying the cherries in the fruit’s juice and sugar.
Hailing from the Cherry Capital of the World, it only makes sense Traverse City Whiskey makes an American Cherry Whiskey —which smells sweet and cherry-like, but goes down instead with just a hint of the fruit —and this year it extended the line to include actual candied cherries. Not surprisingly, the cherries are all grown in Northern Michigan and are slow cooked after a soak in bourbon. Don’t worry, though, the alcohol cooks off still leaving a nice essence (unless the lackof bourbon is what worries you, then it’s time to panic).
This brand is also making its way across the country on bar tops, at least in part to the fancy, aesthetically-pleasing blue and white jars they’re stored in. Fabbri Amarena Cherries tend to be a bit smaller and fruitier than the Luxardos, but;like the Luxardo cherries, Fabbri also stakes a claim dating their production back to 1905. The company makes a wide range of products for use in professional and home settings. If you can’t find these, Trader Joe’s also sells Pitted Amarena Cherries, a great cheap alternative.
Toschi Sour Cherries
There’s certainly something about the cherries made in Italy. Toschi has been making their black sour cherries (what they are most famous for) for more than 65 years in addition to a variety of other cherries that are stored in syrup or spirit. These sour cherries are stoned and slightly sweetened, then packed in a delectable syrup that functions just as well as a co*cktail ingredient on its own. Toschi also makes aline of other fruits preserved in alcohol, including Nocino and Lemoncello — which they also sell. Beyond liqueurs, Toschi is known for both their gelato and their balsamic vinegar of Modena. The brand’s jars are reminiscent of Fabbri, but red and white.
Griottines are made by a distillery in France with Oblachinska Morello cherries going through a six-month period of macerations in liqueur. The strict process —the cherries must begin their process within six hours of picking —is detailed on the company’s website. The final stage is the addition of kirsch, a cherry brandy also known as cherry water. The fruits are packaged at the end of the process with the liqueurs, coming in at 15 percent alcohol by volume, so a snack session on these could take place of the actual co*cktail.
Either can be used, but bright-hued sour, or tart, cherries like the Morello and Montmorency varieties are the traditional choice. They tend to be smaller than sweet varieties, and their flavor holds up against the sugar syrups used typically to preserve co*cktail cherries.
But OG Maraschino cherries, called Luxardo cherries, are the real deal—and they have a much more interesting history than today's Shirley Temple offerings.
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries – Do NOT use anything other than Luxardo cherries if you want your drink to be perfect. Cheaper maraschino cherries are not suitable for a proper old fashioned.
Bing cherries are the leader of this pack, along with their siblings Lambert, Chelan, Sweetheart, and Tulare. You can recognize them by their dark color and heart shape. These are all incredibly juicy and very sweet — so much so that they've been compared to candy when eaten fresh.
Summary Today's maraschino cherries are regular cherries that have undergone a major transformation. They're preserved, bleached, dyed, and sweetened with sugar.
Luxardo cherries are the original co*cktail cherry, invented back in 1905. They're small and so dark red they almost look black. Preserved in cherry syrup, their flavor is so intense and complex, you'll give up on Maraschinos entirely.
Typically, fresh Royal cherries are bleached with calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow and lose their natural flavor (WHY?!). Then they're marinated in high fructose corn syrup and Red #4 food coloring for upwards of three weeks.
Studies, which often use the concentrated juice of Montmorency cherries, have found tart cherries may relieve joint pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA) and lower the risk of flares in those with gout. In addition, recent studies suggest tart cherries may improve the quality and duration of sleep.
A dark red cherry with a firm bite, sweet flavor with a bit of tartness to balance it out. They are oh so good and so easy to find. Question is, when do you find them. ... ☀️ When in Season.
Fortunately, Luxardo Maraschino cherries last up to 3 years after opening. Don't refrigerate them, because it could cause the sugar to crystalize. Just keep them in a cool, dry place, like it says on the jar.
However, their flavor profile also sets them apart from one another. Rainiers have a lower acidity level, which results in them having higher brix (sugar content). Thus, Rainier cherries are actually sweeter than Dark Sweet cherries. In addition, the growing season for Rainier cherries is much shorter.
These are the most popular type grown in the U.S. They are large and a bit heart-shaped with a firm, crisp texture. They're pleasantly sweet with a hint of acidity. The darker their red color, the riper and more flavorful.
Tart Cherries: Rich in anthocyanins, one study showed that Montmorency tart cherries have a higher anti-inflammatory content than any other food. In addition to showing relief from gout and osteoarthritis symptoms, tart cherry juice is a great way to reduce soreness and inflammation after a hard workout!
Anthocyanins, the antioxidants found in cherries, slow down the aging process because they fight free radicals that enter the body and make your skin look older. So you can say cherries are good for your skin because they help you look younger.
The answer is yes, as long as they are enjoyed in moderation and without added sugars. In fact, cherries might even reduce the risk for diabetes and heart disease! For starters, cherries boast a lower glycemic index than almost any other fruit.
When it comes to the B Vitamins, cherries vs. blueberries are nearly neck and neck in all categories. However, blueberries tend to contain more Vitamin B1 on average, while cherries contain more Vitamin B2, B3, and B5.
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are essentially the Ferrari of cherries. You'll find them in many of the world's best bars, they are still made in Italy by soaking the cherries in marasca cherry syrup, and the process is all-natural. They're expensive but are the gold standard of co*cktail cherries.
Typically, fresh Royal cherries are bleached with calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow and lose their natural flavor (WHY?!). Then they're marinated in high fructose corn syrup and Red #4 food coloring for upwards of three weeks.
Dell's Maraschino Cherries, the cherry supplier for chains including Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays and Red Lobster, was revealed to be involved in an underground drug operation, reports the New York Daily News.
They're quite sweet, and contrary to popular belief they contain no alcohol. The second, more common variety, actually start off as light cherries, usually of the Rainier variety, with yellow flesh.
co*cktails. co*cktail cherries and maraschino cherries are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two. For one, co*cktail cherries are typically made from sour cherries, while maraschino cherries are made from sweet cherries.
Maraschino Cherries. These are candied cherries soaked in Luxardo marasca cherry syrup. The percentage of marasca cherries in jars and tins is about 50% and so is the percentage of syrup. No thickening agents of any type and no preservatives are used and the dark red color is all natural.
They are wonderfully sweet—almost like candy when eaten out of hand—and super juicy, too. Black cherries are best eaten fresh and tend to turn to mealy mush when baked.
Fresh cherries are a naturally sweet and healthy treat, but turned into jarred maraschino cherries, they lose a significant amount of their nutritional value. Not only are maraschino cherries high in calories and added sugar, they contain artificial coloring and provide little in the way of vitamins and minerals.
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