Homemade Maraschino Cherries That Your Family Will Love!

Posted on January 20, 2026

This delightful Homemade Maraschino Cherries recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, and it’s all done in one pot for a easy treat that your family will absolutely love! Switch up the flavors by using different extracts or change the type of cherries based on what’s in season or what you have on hand. Plus, these little gems are perfect for cleaning out the fridge, got some leftover cherries? Use them up in this sweet endeavor!

Ingredient Breakdown

Fresh Cherries
Sugar
Water
Almond Extract
Red Food Coloring
Bourbon or Brandy (Optional)

Let’s Get Cooking!

Wash and stem the cherries: Start by rinsing those beautiful cherries under cold water. Make sure to remove the stems and here’s the important bit, pit them. You can use a cherry pitter or just slice them from the top down and remove the pit manually. Just be careful; it can get messy!
Make the simple syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir it occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves, it’ll smell sweet and syrupy in no time, usually about 2-3 minutes.
Add flavor: Once your syrup is ready, stir in ½ teaspoon of almond extract and a few drops of red food coloring (if using). Cook this for another minute, stirring frequently until fragrant. It should smell absolutely heavenly!
Jar it up: Place the now-pitted cherries into a clean jar. Carefully pour the syrup over the cherries, allowing them to be fully submerged. If you’d like to add bourbon or brandy, pour in just 1-2 tablespoons at this stage.
Seal it tight: Once everything is in the jar, seal it tightly, and pop it into the fridge. Here’s the hard part: you’ll need to let these beauties sit for at least a week before indulging! This allows the flavors to meld and the cherries to soak in all that goodness.
Enjoy!: After your patience has paid off, you can use these maraschino cherries on top of ice cream, in cocktails, or straight out of the jar, the choice is yours!

Why I Love This Recipe

Let me tell you, this is my go-to recipe when I’m in the mood for a sweet little treat to elevate desserts or cocktails. I’m a real sucker for comfort food when it comes to sweets, and Homemade Maraschino Cherries are such a nostalgic favorite for me! The best part is how versatile this recipe is; you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, and they just scream summer whenever I see them. Plus, it’s such a fun project to share with my kids, kitchen bonding time at its best!

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Chocolate Raspberry Cake, my Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake, or my Gelatin Diet Recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

Comes together in under 30 minutes! Yes, you heard it right! Plus, the waiting time means you can enjoy instant gratification when you finally get to dig in after a week.

Minimal Cleanup

It really is a one pot wonder; less mess means more time for family fun!

Budget-Friendly

Uses affordable, everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry hello, budget-friendly treat!

Customizable

You can switch up the extracts or add different spices to suit your taste. Don’t like almond? No problem! Go for vanilla or even a hint of citrus zest.

Comfort Food

There’s just something so nostalgic and amazing about homemade maraschino cherries. They’re loaded with tons of flavor and sweetness that hits the spot, especially in the summertime when cherries are juicy and fresh.

Serving Suggestions

What to Serve with This

Enjoy these cherries on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream, in a Shirley Temple, or as a sweet garnish in a cocktail. Honestly, the possibilities are endless!

Storage

These maraschino cherries will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks. Just make sure they’re sealed tightly and submerged in the syrup.

Reheating Instructions

There’s really no need to reheat! You can enjoy them straight from the fridge. However, if you want to warm them up a bit before serving, you can heat a few in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, it’ll enhance their flavor!

Freezer Friendly

While it’s not recommended to freeze them due to texture changes, you can store them in the fridge for as long as you’d like!

So, there you have it! A deliciously sweet, quick, and easy recipe to Homemade Maraschino Cherries that everyone will love. Now, go ahead and whip up a batch, use those beautiful cherries, and make some memories in the kitchen! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.

Happy cooking!