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Most people think of Maraschino cherries as a cheap garnish used in cocktails. These are cherries that have been preserved with a chemical brine, pitted, dyed red, and then jarred in a sweetener solution, usually a corn syrup solution. Often, an almond flavor is added as this tastes of cherry. These “cocktail cherries” are imitation Maraschino cherries.
Real Maraschino cherries are made by Luxardo the makers of the famous Luxardo Maraschino Originale, a renowned liqueur using Marasca cherries made according to a recipe that dates back to 1821. You owe it to yourself to try some real Luxardo, and some real Luxardo cherries, featured in many great cocktails.
Marasca cherries are a small, sour Morello cherry known for a dark color and unique flavor. They have a tart and slightly bitter taste with a hint of almond and spice. They are popular for making liqueurs and flavoring spirits. They are considered a great delicacy in their native Coastal Croatia, especially in Dalmatia. While there are other maraschino liqueurs, Luxardo Maraschino Originale is the most famous liquor that uses these cherries. This versatile liquor is featured in classic cocktails like the Aviation and The Last Word.
Luxardo was originally responsible for bringing Maraschino cherries to the U.S. The marasca cherries are candied in a syrup made from the same Marasca cherry juice that is used to make their Sangue Morlacco, a cherry liqueur made by a different process than the Luxardo Originale Maraschino liqueur.
There are no artificial colors, flavors, or thickening agents added to Luxardo Maraschino cherries. Instead of the bright red color of fake maraschino cherries, Luxardo cherries have a dark red, almost black color. As well, Luxardo uses careful pasteurization to preserve the quality and safety of the product and there is no chemical brine used on the cherries nor are any preservatives added to the jar or can (they come in both). These original candied cherries in syrup are readily available to use in your cocktails or to enjoy over ice cream, including the syrup!
While it is often claimed that Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are soaked in Luxardo Originale, or the liqueur along with the cherry juice syrup, the company makes no mention of this, either on its website or its label, which lists no alcohol or liqueur as an ingredient.
However, since most other Maraschino cherry products, before prohibition, used “Maraschino liqueurs” or imitation products thereof to preserve their cherries, it is likely that Luxardo did the same. Furthermore, it is often claimed that most maraschino products are made by soaking the cherries in a brine solution to preserve the cherries. This is mostly done to bleach the cherries, although it does help firm and preserve them. Luxardo, certainly does not bleach its cherries, nor color them artificially, and makes no mention of a brine solution. The many sources claiming that Luxardo uses a brine solution seem to confuse the information about other modern preserved cherries with Luxardo cherries.
