Whether it ’s a spiked Shirley Temple or a classicManhattan , a cherry red garnish is the perfect elbow room to add pop of people of color to a cocktail — it ’s also a convenient post - drink snack . But not all cherry red are make equal . Some are DayGlo ruby and covered in a sticky , syrupy slime — they will ruin your cocktail . Do not apply those cherries . Instead , make your ownor piece up a jar of one of these gamy character options . Your stomach ( and your drink ) will give thanks you .
Maraschino Cherries
The omnipresent Maraschino cherries found on supermarket shelves contain more red dyestuff # 40 than literal fruit . Opt instead forLuxardo Maraschino Cherries($25 for a 14 oz jar ) . Luxardo uses actual Marasca cherry from Italy , which are soaked in the companionship ’s Maraschino cordial along with scratch for a richly dark-skinned and sweet , only slightly drunken goody .
Other Brandied Cherries
Maraschino is n’t the only cordial desirable of cherries . Griottines offersMorello cherries soaked in kirsch , a liqueur made from cherry juices ( $ 25 for 12 oz ) , while the Somerset Cider Brandy Company offers Morellocherries preserved in Malus pumila brandy($14.50 for 16 oz ) .
Whiskey-Soaked Cherries
Nothing goes better in a Bourbon dynasty - basedWhiskey Sourthan a cherry infused with bourbon . Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. , purveyor ofsmall batch tonicamong other mellow quality cocktail component , offer cherriespreserved in Kentucky bourbon($16 for 16 oz ) . Ole Smoky Tennessee ups the ante by preservingcherries in moonshine($25 for 25 oz ) .
Candied Sour Cherries
If you ’d rather keep your booze in your glass and leave it out of your yield garnish , Toschi candied fateful sour cherries($18 for 18 oz ) make a great option to Maraschino . For an even tarter cherry , tryFabbri ’s version($14 for 8 oz ) , made with wild Amarena cherries .
Fresh Cherries
In the summer , pop by your local gullible market place for a bushel of fresh , all - natural cherries to drop into drinks . search for gamey quality rainy cherries , or snaffle some turned cherries for a surprising , tart twist on the classic garnish .
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