What Are Maraschino cherries and How Can I Use Them?

Here's everything worth knowing about maraschino cherries and how to pick them, what they are, how to store them, and what to use instead, plus 214 recipes to cook tonight.

What are maraschino cherries?

Ever wondered about those glossy, ruby-red gems perched on your sundae or stirring up your Manhattan? Maraschino cherries aren't just cocktail flair—they're a sweet, preserved treat with a boozy backstory that's evolved into a kitchen staple for everything from retro desserts to modern mocktails.

Originally hailing from Croatia and Italy, true maraschino cherries were made from tart marasca cherries soaked in maraschino liqueur—a luxe spirit distilled from the fruit itself. Fast-forward to the U.S. in the early 1900s, and Prohibition flipped the script: producers swapped the alcohol for a brine solution, then sweetened and dyed them that iconic bright red (or sometimes green for fun). Today, most are crafted from sweet varieties like Royal Ann cherries, pitted, bleached, soaked in syrup, and flavored with almond extract for that signature nutty vibe.

The process? It starts with fresh cherries getting a saltwater brine bath to preserve and firm them up. Then they're pitted, dyed with food coloring, and steeped in a sugary syrup—often high-fructose corn syrup or cane sugar—infused with flavors. No alcohol in the modern versions, making them kid-friendly for ice cream toppers or fruitcakes, but purists hunt for luxe imports still laced with liqueur.

In the kitchen, these bad boys shine in classics like pineapple upside-down cake, ambrosia salad, or Shirley Temples. They're shelf-stable dynamite, adding a pop of color and sweetness without the fuss of fresh fruit.

Just rinse off excess syrup if you're watching sugar intake.

Discover what maraschino cherries are made of—from their Italian liqueur origins to today's sweet, dyed delights—perfect for cocktails, desserts, and kid-friendly treats like "easy retro sundae recipes" or "best cherry garnishes for drinks."

Pro Tips

• Opt for natural-dye versions if artificial colors aren't your jam; brands like Luxardo keep it old-school with real marasca cherries and minimal processing.
• DIY hack: Soak fresh cherries in simple syrup with a splash of almond extract for a homemade twist that's fresher and customizable for "healthy maraschino cherry alternatives."
• Storage smarts: Once opened, fridge 'em in their jar for up to a month, or freeze for longer-lasting cocktail ammo.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find maraschino cherries: Maraschino cherries are usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Maraschino cherries are a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

樱桃酒樱桃

British (UK) term

Maraschino cherries

en français

cerises glace

en español

cerises au marasquin

How much do maraschino cherries weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using maraschino cherries

There are 214 recipes that contain this ingredient.

No Cook Peachy Orange Jam

No cook peachy orange jam captures fresh summer peaches, juicy orange, and maraschino cherries in a bright freezer jam. No boiling the fruit, no canning gear, just stir, jar, and let it set. Tastes like sunshine on toast.

Cheery Cherry Cookies

Studded with chunks of maraschino cherries, pecans, and shredded coconut, this cookie is a Christmas (or anytime) favorite. Freezes very well.

Christmas Pudding With Vanilla-Bean Custard

This Christmas pudding has plenty of delicious fruit and nuts, but it's really simple to make - just plan ahead and then make the warm vanilla-bean custard on the day.

My Vegetarian Mince Pies

Vegetarian mince pies with a suet-free, no-suet British mincemeat: dried fruits, ripe banana, almonds, brandy, and warm spice tucked inside flaky shortening pastry. The traditional Christmas pie, made meatless.

Whole Wheat Christmas Cake

Traditional British whole wheat Christmas cake with rum-soaked dried fruit, walnuts, almonds, stout and citrus zest. Aged dark fruit cake for the holiday season.

Creole Christmas Cake

This very rich cake from the West Indies is ideal for those who prefer not to ice their Christmas cakes.

Brandy Christmas Fruit Cake

Get the jump on your Christmas baking by making this classic fruit cake now. Wrap it well and it will be perfect to serve, or give as a gift, on Christmas Day!

Peach Conserve (Marmalade)

Old-fashioned peach conserve with whole oranges, sugar, and maraschino cherries cooked down to a chunky, citrusy marmalade. Spread on toast or scones for a sun-bright burst of summer.

Italian Sour Cream Cake

Italian sour cream cake with amaretto, a coconut-pecan meringue lining, and glossy chocolate-amaretto glaze. A tube pan showstopper that starts with boxed cake mix.

Holiday Spumoni Cookies

Spumoni cookies are a creative twist on the classic Italian dessert, featuring the same delightful combination of cherry, chocolate, and pistachio flavors.

Quick & Easy Frog's Eye Salad

A delicious kind of salad made with mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, flaked coconut and whipped topping.

Chocolate Banana Trifle

Layered chocolate banana trifle with chocolate cake, homemade chocolate pudding, sliced bananas, and whipped cream. Topped with toasted almonds and cherries. A stunning make-ahead dessert.

Nesselrode Pie

A frozen confection filling with a Christmas garden of cherry poinssttias and gumdrop holly atop.

Nesselrode Pie

A frozen confection filling with a Christmas garden of cherry poinssttias and gumdrop holly atop.

Spaghetti Fruit Salad

Sweet spaghetti fruit salad with pineapple, apples, a tangy lemon custard dressing, and fluffy whipped topping. A retro potluck favorite that chills overnight for easy entertaining.

Easy Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

Easy chocolate-covered cherry cookies from a brownie mix: fudgy chocolate drop cookies studded with pecans and maraschino cherries, baked just until set for a soft, brownie-like center. A quick holiday cookie.

Slow Cooker Cherry Pound Cake

Slow cooker cherry pound cake bakes a flour-tossed maraschino-studded cake mix batter inside the crockpot for an unbelievably moist crumb. A no-oven dessert for hot summer days.

Mixed Fruit Cocktail

Homemade canned fruit cocktail with fresh peaches, pears, seedless grapes, and maraschino cherries in sugar syrup. A from-scratch preserving recipe that beats store-bought.

Tropical Ice 2

Frozen fruit punch made with mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, and orange juice, then broken into icy chunks and topped with ginger ale and white wine. A slushy, fruity party punch.

Passion Fruit Mousse

Passion fruit mousse blends fresh passion fruit pulp with sweetened condensed milk, served chilled inside the emptied fruit shells with a cherry on top. Two-ingredient tropical dessert.

Frozen Pineapple Salad

Frozen pineapple salad with a cooked custard base folded into whipped cream, pineapple, oranges, marshmallows, cherries, and chopped nuts. A vintage Southern potluck classic.

Hawaiian Cake

Hawaiian cake starts with a yellow cake mix base topped with a cream cheese pudding layer, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, and flaked coconut.

Lemon Custard Cake

Lemon custard cake layers torn angel food cake with a fluffy lemon custard made from egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, and meringue, then chills until set. A no-bake showstopper.

Cheery Cherry Bread

Slow cooker cherry bread studded with maraschino cherries and crunchy pecans. This sweet, moist loaf bakes right in your crock pot with no oven needed.

Hot Orange Soup with Wafers

Chinese hot orange soup made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, rock sugar, and preserved ginger, lightly thickened with cornstarch. Served warm with citrus slices and cream wafers.

Merry Bars

No-bake Merry Bars layered with graham crackers, mashed banana, maraschino cherries, coconut, and nuts in a butter-powdered sugar base. Festive, colorful, and fridge-set.

Brigitte's Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit with sliced almonds, a splash of rum, and a golden broiled meringue topping. Part fruit salad, part baked Alaska. A showstopping warm dessert ready in 20 minutes.

Sugar Cookie Wreaths

Tiny green sugar cookie balls arranged in rings with candied cherry "berries" to make festive Christmas wreath cookies. A fun, easy holiday baking project for kids.

Space Needle Blast-Off Punch

Space Needle Blast-Off Punch: a Seattle World's Fair-era rum cocktail with orange curacao, orange juice, and sweet-and-sour. Tropical, citrus-forward, and easy to shake up.

Fruit Coctail Bars

Fruit cocktail bars with coconut, maraschino cherries, and a soft cake-like crumb. A vintage pantry-friendly bar cookie made with canned fruit cocktail syrup in the batter.

Garnishes for Drinks

Drink garnish guide covering frosted glasses, sugar and salt rims, plus garnish ideas for fruit, vegetable and coffee drinks. Old-school bartender finishing touches that turn ordinary drinks into something proper.

Chocolate Cherry Pie

Chocolate cherry pie with a rum-spiked chocolate custard filling, quartered maraschino cherries, and whipped cream folded in. Topped with sweetened cream and grated chocolate.

Black Forest Coffee

Black Forest coffee blends fresh brewed coffee with chocolate syrup and maraschino cherry juice, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A 5-minute dessert drink.

Black Forest Coffee

Black Forest coffee blends fresh brewed coffee with chocolate syrup and maraschino cherry juice, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A 5-minute dessert drink.

Vegetarian Mince Pies

Vegetarian mincemeat made with fresh pears, dried fruit, candied cherries, almonds, and a splash of whiskey. No suet needed. Spiced with allspice, nutmeg, and ginger for traditional Christmas mince pies.

AMERICAN BANANA

Let me share with you a delicious dessert to prepare quick and easy to enjoy it. It's called American Banana and to prepare 5 servings you only need:

Too Much Fruit Salad

Too much fruit salad is a big-batch medley of pineapple, melon, citrus, peaches, kiwi, and banana bathed in apricot nectar and chilled overnight so the flavors meld. A bright, make-ahead crowd salad.

Granola Cookies

Meringue-based granola cookies made with whipped egg whites, brown sugar, and folded-in granola. Light, crispy, and low-fat with no butter or flour needed.

Chocolate Julep Cheesecake

Chocolate julep cheesecake with bourbon, creme de menthe, and a swirled chocolate-and-cream-cheese filling on a chocolate cookie crust. A Southern-inspired dessert.

Nice Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal studded with dried fruit and baked in individual cups until just set. A make-ahead, kid-friendly breakfast topped with a fun fruit smiley-face the little ones love.

Coffee Soda

Coffee soda built with chilled double-strength coffee, half and half, coffee ice cream, and a top-up of fizzy soda water. The grown-up float you'd find at a 1950s soda fountain counter.

Chicken with Cherries

A whole roast chicken stuffed with cherries, rubbed with paprika and cinnamon, then slow-roasted in white wine until the juices run sweet and savory. Served over spiral noodles with a cherry-wine pan sauce.

Hawaiian Cake #2

Hawaiian cake layered with cream cheese vanilla pudding, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, coconut, walnuts, and maraschino cherries over a yellow cake base. A retro potluck showstopper.

Chocolate Fingers

No-bake chocolate fingers made with powdered milk, cocoa, powdered sugar, raisins, cherries, and candied peel. A fudgy, fruit-studded candy that firms up in the fridge.

Buttermilk Chocolate Bread

Buttermilk chocolate quick bread studded with pecans and maraschino cherries, baked in mini loaf pans and topped with a creamy cherry glaze. A rich, fudgy bread that's more dessert than breakfast.

Buttermilk Chocolate Bread

Buttermilk chocolate quick bread studded with pecans and maraschino cherries, baked in mini loaf pans and topped with a creamy cherry glaze. A rich, fudgy bread that's more dessert than breakfast.

Shirley Temple Cocktail

Classic Shirley Temple mocktail with soda water, grenadine syrup, an orange slice, and a maraschino cherry. The original non-alcoholic party drink for all ages.

Rum Cake Fraccaro

Italian rum cake with three sponge layers soaked in cherry-rum syrup, filled with pastillera cream, and frosted with whipped cream and roasted almonds. A showstopper.

Cherry Cake

Cherry cake loaf with glace cherries suspended throughout a buttery, nutmeg-scented batter with whipped egg whites for lift. A classic British-style fruit cake that slices beautifully.

Nut Fruit Tarts

No-bake fruit and nut tarts filled with sliced bananas and plumped raisins folded into sweetened whipped cream, topped with more cream, cherries, and chopped nuts.

All 214 recipes