Boozy Bourbon Cherries are a great gift for cocktail lovers, and they’re also nice for having on hand to add to cocktails too. Check out the short video below showing you how to make this recipe, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make these at home.
Bourbon Cherries
I have had this Bourbon Cherries recipe bookmarked in The Family Calendar Cookbook for several months now. I knew it was something I’d want to make in the summer… when cherries are affordable and plentiful and delicious! My husband enjoys making the occasional Manhattan or Old Fashioned, and he was very excited to learn of my plans to make some homemade boozy bourbon cherries!
The recipe is so simple, and it has just three ingredients (bourbon, sugar and cherries). I opted to use an average priced bourbon since these are mostly going to be used as cocktail garnishes. It’s a fun recipe to make. And I’m excited to gift one of my two jars to our next door neighbor. What a fun surprise for a summery gift, right?
What kind of bourbon is recommended to make Bourbon Cherries?
You can use any brand of bourbon you’d like for this recipe. Since it calls for 3 1/2 cups, I wouldn’t recommend using anything all that expensive unless it’s super important to you that the flavor of a particular bourbon comes through. If you’re a fan of bourbon, check out my Maple Bourbon Burger with Bacon Mustard Sauce or my Bacon Bourbon Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
There’s no canning experience needed with this recipe. You simple pour the sugary bourbon syrup into the jar with fresh cherries and keep them refrigerated as you use them. And you can keep them refrigerated and use them a little at a time for up to one year!
Can you use frozen cherries to make Bourbon Cherries?
I have not personally tried using frozen cherries, but some of my readers have made this Bourbon Cherries recipe using frozen cherries. If you are not using frozen “sweet” cherries (and they’re more of the sour variety), then you may wish to add a little more sugar to the recipe.
Can Bourbon Cherries be canned?
If you choose to using a traditional canning method to make these cherries, I think that might be totally fine. If you’re experienced with canning fruits, just go with your gut on this. I’m not trained in how to properly can things, so I can’t offer much advice here.
They make an awfully pretty garnish for cocktails! You can snack on a couple here and there too and I won’t tell anyone 🙂
What cocktails would be good for garnishing with Bourbon Cherries?
Use Bourbon Cherries in a Manhattan or a Cherry Bourbon Smash. You may have some additional ideas for cocktails that might be good with a Bourbon Cherry garnish. Or just nibble them on them on their own!
Boozy bourbon cherries :: Make some and impress your friends with this super simple recipe!
Here are a few more boozy fruit recipes you might enjoy:
- Rum-Soaked Pineapple Pops by Domestic Fits
- Vodka- Infused Melon Balls by Healthy Nibbles and Bits
- Tequila- Soaked Watermelon by RecipeGirl
Boozy Bourbon Cherries
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 3½ cups bourbon
- 2/3 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 cups fresh sweet cherries (washed, pitted & stems removed)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the bourbon and sugar to a simmer over low heat. Simmer and stir until the sugar dissolves, then turn off the heat and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Pack your cherries into two 25-ounce jars (or three smaller ones). Snuggle them into the jars nice and tight without smashing the cherries. Pour the syrup over the cherries in each jar until it covers the fruit completely. If you have any leftover syrup, you can use it to make a cocktail!
- Place the lids on tight and store the cherries in the refrigerator. They should be used within one year.
Video
Notes
- Weight Watchers Freestyle SmartPoints per serving of 3 cherries: 4
- *As the cherries macerate in the bourbon syrup, they will shrink in size. This is normal and they will still taste delicious!
I haven’t tasted them yet…I want them to soak to some degree BUT this recipe needs to come with a warning! Heating bourbon releases ethanol alcohol which can trigger your CO2 alarm and you should not inhale the vapors – they will make you drunk; ventilate well! I didn’t have an issue cooking with alcohol in a sticks and bricks house but I tried this recipe in the RV we now live in full-time and learned that about the CO2 alarm…this recipe triggered that. Also, I used frozen dark sweet cherries – I’m sure they’ll taste fine!
I love this recipe! but can I melt the sugar in the bourbon without cooking off all the alcohol and then pour it over the cherries?
You can certainly experiment!
Can these be put in. water bath or canner
I am not super familiar with canning, so I’m not sure.
Does anyone know if you could use same recipe for canned fruit? Like pears!!
Something went wrong… 2/3 cup of sugar? The cherries tasted like a punch of bourbon to the nose. That was it. Just unadulterated alcohol. Willing to give this another try.
Isn’t all the booze simmered out?
Maybe some of it.
I bet almost all of it if you simmer it fit 15 minutes. The alcohol evaporates at like 150 to 175 degrees I think.
Can you use these in place of maraschino cherries?
Depends what you’re making… but sure!
This is the second year we have made these. Always make lots to gift to people as well as our own cupboard for old fashioned cocktails. Very easy recipe.
They are delicious however thought they would be a little sweeter tasting. Anything I can add to them now, after two weeks refrigeration?
A little sweetener– simple syrup?
How long do they need to refrigerate until ready to consume?
You can use them immediately, if you’d like.
Can you use a sugar substitute?
I have not tried that, so I’m not sure.
Question. Can I make this recipe with Trader Joe Frozen cherries? Cherries are out of season and I wanted to make this for Christmas gifts. Your thoughts please.
I haven’t tried this myself, but I believe others might have. It’s worth a shot!
I’m going to try using frozen as well. Have you tried this yet? Were the results OK?
Sounds like these would be an awesome cheesecake topping.
Would these work as a cherry pie filling?
Interesting question- I have no idea!