These are the best bourbon cherries and you can make them at home! This is a simple recipe that uses fresh cherries instead of dried ones. These are also known as manhattan cherries but whatever you call them, don't forget to make an extra batch to share with friends.

This recipe uses fresh bing cherries but feel free to use whatever variety of fresh cherry you have available. You might just find a new favorite.

If fresh cherries are not in season you can make a batch of drunken bourbon soaked cherries with sweetened dried cherries.

🍒 Ingredients:

Bing cherries in a canning jar with a green funnel.

Fresh bing cherries, stems removed and pitted
Simple syrup - a syrup made of equal parts sugar and water, brought to a boil, and cooled
Vanilla extract (make your own vanilla extract. SO EASY!)
Bourbon - I like Jim Beam bourbon.

💧 What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup, also known as sugar syrup is a solution of sugar and water that is cooked over low heat until clear, then boiled for one minute. Simple syrup can be made in various densities

Thin- 3 parts water, 2 part sugar
Medium - 2 parts water, 1 part sugar
Heavy - equal parts waster and sugar.

Depending on the thickness, sugar syrups have various uses including soaking cakes, glazing backed goods, poaching or preserving fruit, adding to frostings, etc. Source: The New Food Lover's Companion, Second Edition, Sharon Tyler Herbst, Author

🫙 Bourbon Cherries Canning Instructions:

bourbon soaked cherries on a silver fork

Heat canning jars in a large canning pot to a simmer.
Add cherries to the jars as instructed.
Heat the simple syrup to a simmer.
Remove from heat and carefully add the vanilla and the bourbon. Stir to combine.
Fill jars by ladling hot syrup into hot jars.
Wipe the rim of the jar to remove any syrup.
Place a clean, new lid on the jar.
Place a canning ring/bad and finger tighten.
Using a jar lifter, place the jars back into the canning pot.
Bring to a boil.
Boil for 10 minutes.
Using a jar lifter, remove the jars and rest them on kitchen towel, wooden cutting board or cooking rack with at least 2 inches of space around them for the air to circulate.
12 hours later, check to see that the lids do not flex when pressed.
Wipe clean and store in a cool, dry, dark place for a year.

🧊 How to make bourbon cherries: (refrigerator instructions)

bing cherries in a canning jar with a funnel on top. Jim Beam bourbon in the background

Clean, remove stems and pit the cherries and put them in two clean pint-sized mason jars (or one large quart-sized mason jar). Do your best to minimize space between the cherries.
Combine the simple syrup, vanilla extract and bourbon.
Pour the bourbon mixture over the cherries.
Secure the lids on the mason jars, give them a shake, and refrigerate for at least 3 days before using.
The recipe should last for up to 3 months.

Storage Tips

I have two sets of instructions for making your bourbon-soaked cherries using fresh cherries. The first is for storing in the refrigerator and the second is for water bath canning making the bourbon cherries shelf-stable. If you are lucky enough to pick your own cherries for this recipe, pick a few more pounds and make cherry syrup, easy cherry pie bars, cherry clafoutis and sour cherry pie filling. Cherry season is so short so pick and make!

🥃 How to use bourbon cherries:

Serve as a garnish for a Manhattan cocktail
Garnish an Old Fashioned.
Chop and add to icing and use for the filling of a cake.
Add to sangria.
Eat a few just because.

Bourbon Cherries

Sarah Mock

4.63 from 24 votes

Did you know you can make bourbon soaked cherries for manhattans at home? This is a simple recipe for bourbon soaked cherries using fresh cherries instead of dried. These are also known as manhattan cherries but what ever you call them, don't forget to make an extra batch to share with friends.

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80 cherries

Ingredients

▢ 1 lb bing cherries stems removed and pitted
▢ 1 Cup simple syrup
▢ 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract make your own vanilla extract. SO EASY!
▢ 1 Cup bourbon

Instructions

Bourbon Soaked Cherries Instructions:

Clean, remove stems and pit the cherries and put them in two clean pint-sized mason jars (or one large quart-sized mason jar). Do your best to minimize space between the cherries.
Combine the simple syrup, vanilla extract and bourbon.
Pour the bourbon mixture over the cherries.
Secure the lids on the mason jars, give them a shake, and refrigerate for at least 3 days before using.
The recipe should last for up to 3 months.

Bourbon Soaked Cherries Canning Instructions

Heat canning jars in a large canning pot to a simmer.
Add cherries to the jars as instructed.
Heat the simple syrup to a simmer.
Remove from heat and carefully add the vanilla and the bourbon. Stir to combine.
Fill jars by ladling hot syrup into hot jars.
Wipe the rim of the jar to remove any syrup.
Place a clean, new lid on the jar.
Place a canning ring/bad and finger tighten.
Using a jar lifter, place the jars back into the canning pot.
Bring to a boil.
Boil for 10 minutes.
Using a jar lifter, remove the jars and rest them on kitchen towel, wooden cutting board or cooking rack with at least 2 inches of space around them for the air to circulate.
12 hours later, check to see that the lids do not flex when pressed.
Wipe clean and store in a cool, dry, dark place for a year.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sugar: 3g

Notes

I have two sets of instructions for making your bourbon soaked cherries using fresh cherries. The first is for storing in the refrigerator and the second is for water bath canning making the bourbon cherries shelf stable.

Drinks - Non Alcoholic

American

bourbon, Cherry, cocktail, garnish

I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 16 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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