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    Home | Canning Recipes

    Bourbon Cherries

    Dated: July 24, 2018 Last Modified: September 15, 2022 by Sarah Mock 7 Comments. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links.

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    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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    Bourbon Cherries on a fork
    homemade bourbon soaked cherries

    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.

    Bourbon Cherries on a fork

    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.

    Jump to:
    • 🍒 Ingredients:
    • 💧 What is simple syrup?
    • 🫙 Bourbon Cherries Canning Instructions:
    • 🧊 How to make bourbon cherries: (refrigerator instructions)
    • ❄️ Storage Tips
    • 🥃 How to use bourbon cherries:
    • Bourbon Cherries
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock
    • Comments

    🍒 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
    1. Heat canning jars in a large canning pot to a simmer.
    2. Add cherries to the jars as instructed.
    3. Heat the simple syrup to a simmer.
    4. Remove from heat and carefully add the vanilla and the bourbon. Stir to combine.
    5. Fill jars by ladling hot syrup into hot jars.
    6. Wipe the rim of the jar to remove any syrup.
    7. Place a clean, new lid on the jar.
    8. Place a canning ring/bad and finger tighten.
    9. Using a jar lifter, place the jars back into the canning pot.
    10. Bring to a boil.
    11. Boil for 10 minutes.
    12. 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.
    13. 12 hours later, check to see that the lids do not flex when pressed.
    14. 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
    1. 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.
    2. Combine the simple syrup, vanilla extract and bourbon.
    3. Pour the bourbon mixture over the cherries.
    4. Secure the lids on the mason jars, give them a shake, and refrigerate for at least 3 days before using.
    5. 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:

    homemade bourbon soaked fresh 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.

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    Bourbon Cherries on a fork

    Bourbon Cherries

    Sarah Mock
    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.
    4.60 from 22 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Note From Sarah

    There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Prevent your screen from going dark, toggle to button to the right to turn GREEN
    Course Drinks - Non Alcoholic
    Cuisine American
    Servings 80 cherries
    Calories 16 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb bing cherries (stems removed and pitted)
    • 1 cup simple syrup
    • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract (make your own vanilla extract. SO EASY!)easy sous vide vanilla extract
    • 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.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 3gSugar: 3g

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected. SavoringTheGood®

    Sarah Mock of savoringthegood.com headshot 2018

    👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

    CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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    More Your Ultimate Guide To Water Bath Canning and Canning Recipes

    • Canning Cranberry Juice
    • Canning Pizza Sauce (Fresh Tomatoes)
    • Preserved Figs In Syrup With Bourbon
    • Fig Preserves Recipe {No Pectin}
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    About Sarah Mock

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 13 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen Riska

      April 16, 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Do you use a thin, medium, or heavy simple syrup for this recipe of bourbon cherries?

    2. Sarah

      August 03, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      NO! No need to sit for a year. Just enjoy them within a year after canning. Once opened and stored in the fridge I use them within 3 months. But they never last that long!

    3. Liz

      August 01, 2018 at 11:56 pm

      Do the canned cherries need to sit for a year before using? Or should be used within one year of canning? They look amazing!

    4. Sarah

      July 25, 2018 at 9:40 am

      You are going to have an amazing cocktail! And now I need to go find myself some cherry bitters......

    5. Sarah

      July 25, 2018 at 9:39 am

      It was the perfect photo prop! LOL I am glad you are enjoying them.

    6. Jenn

      July 24, 2018 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      Your fork tells no lies, lol! These are so awesome!!!

    7. Claire

      July 24, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes!!!
      Jarred cherries are so hard to find here so it is great to use our fresh cherries and turn them into bourbon socked cherries!
      Plus I bought some cherry bitters the other day.....I am thinking I need to make a manhattan with cherry bitters and a garnish of your bourbon socked cherries!

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    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 13 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
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