What Cherries Go in Cocktails?

Whether you’re looking for a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned, some cocktails aren’t complete without the proper garnish. And if you’re wondering what cherries go in cocktails, the answer is usually a maraschino cherry.

But believe it or not, the saccharine, bright red orbs you find in the grocery store aren’t always the go-to for a cocktail. They’ll work in a Shirley Temple, but once you mix them with a more substantial spirit, the taste can leave a bit to be desired.

Maraschino cherries get their names from the cherry liqueur in Italy that distilled Marasca cherries, stems and all, to get a distant cherry flavor. Luxardo was the first distillery to sell these cherries candied in Marasca cherry juice and sugar, and for a long time, this is what people put in their cocktails. For some -- specifically people who don’t mind spending $25 a jar -- it still is.

Others look for a cherry experience for their cocktail that’s somewhere between a Denny’s and a five-star restaurant. Thankfully, there are alternative maraschino cherries on the market that allow a delicious drink on a sensible budget.

So what cherries go in cocktails? Some cherry blends are distilled in brandy, while others mix their cherry juices with bitters to give an autumnal spice to any drink. The cherries they choose range from Amarena to Bordeaux or Bing, and each variety comes with its own complex flavor profile.

When you’re looking for a cherry for your cocktail, you don’t always have to go with the first thing you find mixed in with the ice cream and chocolate syrup. There may be a special occasion, even if you have to make one up, that requires a little more sophistication.

So next time you want to make a cocktail, spring for a top-tier cherry. You may be surprised by the entirely new experience that it provides!