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.
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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.
- 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.
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:
Bourbon Soaked 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 12 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
Claire says
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!
Jenn says
Your fork tells no lies, lol! These are so awesome!!!
Sarah says
It was the perfect photo prop! LOL I am glad you are enjoying them.
Sarah says
You are going to have an amazing cocktail! And now I need to go find myself some cherry bitters……
Liz says
Do the canned cherries need to sit for a year before using? Or should be used within one year of canning? They look amazing!
Sarah says
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!