Bourbon Cherries Recipe

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. 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

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. Also be sure to try my thyme infused bourbon recipe. A little something special for your bourbon cocktails.

Bourbon Soaked Cherries Ingredients:

• 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

Are bourbon cherries stored in the refrigerator or are they shelf stable?

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 make bourbon cherries: (refrigerator instructions.

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.

Bourbon Soaked Cherries Canning Instructions:

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.

What to do with bourbon soaked 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.

Printable Bourbon Soaked Cherry Recipe:

Continue to Content

Yield: 80 cherries

Bourbon Soaked Cherries

Print

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.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

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:

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.

Bourbon Soaked Cherries Canning Instructions

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.

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 Information:

Yield:

80

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 16Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 0g

Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates.

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