Bourbon 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.

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:

• 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:

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)

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:

• 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

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.

4.66 from 26 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 for the recipePrep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook time for the recipeCook Time 25 minutes mins

total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark, toggle to button to the right to turn GREEN

Course Drinks - Non Alcoholic

Cuisine American

Makes 80 cherries

Per Serving 16 kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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.

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

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.