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?

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