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Homemade maraschino cherries are a much healthier version of the pretty red cherries you can buy at the store. Use homemade maraschino cherries in your favorite cocktail, on top of ice cream sundaes, or to top your favorite desserts.
Store-bought maraschino cherries are heavily processed. They are bleached in a mixture containing calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide, which removes the natural red color and the natural cherry flavor. The cherries are then brined in a sugary syrup and injected with red dye.
Cherries
You can use any kind of cherry that you like in this recipe. I have a Stella cherry tree in my garden that produces a beautiful, bright red sweet cherry that I used in this recipe. Bing, Rainier, or even pie cherries will work. You can leave the stems on or remove them when you pit the cherries.
Juice
I made this recipe using Grenadine because that’s what I had on hand, but you can use cherry, pomegranate, or red grape juice instead if you wish.
Combine all of the ingredients except for the cherries in a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes, stirring to dissolve the sugar. You will be creating a simple syrup for the cherries to soak in. Turn the burner off and add the cherries, pressing them down to submerge them.
Allow the mixture to cool, then transfer the cooked cherries to a container with a tight-fitting lid or a clean quart-size jar. You can use them in drinks or on desserts as soon as they cool, but they get better when they are allowed to rest for a couple of days. The longer the cherries soak in the juice before you use them, the more flavorful they will become. The cherries can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or frozen for long-term storage.
The following recipe is a non-alcoholic version, but you can most certainly add cherry brandy or cherry liqueur if you wish (such as Luxardo®). I would start with a 1/2 cup, you can always add more to your taste. Add the alcohol when you add the cherries, so the alcohol doesn’t cook off.
Homemade Maraschino Cherries
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh cherries; pitted - approximately 3 cups (any variety)
- ½ cup Grenadine, cherry, pomegranate, or red grape juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Use a cherry pitter to remove the cherry pits and set cherries aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add everything except the cherries and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, and stir until sugar dissolves completely for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cherries, and let cool. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- The package length of the product is 14.4 inches
- The package width of the product is 4.9 inches
- The package height of the product is 4.6 inches
- The package weight of the product is 3.2 pounds
- Made with Pure Vanilla Extract and all naturally derived ingredients
- Concentrated, bake and freeze proof blend is ideal for baking
- No Artificial Colors or Flavors. Note: Contains Sulfites
- Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Corn Syrup Free, Kosher
- Crafted in the USA
- Great for gifting and crafting , BPA-free, Made in USA
- Food Grade Glass: The mason jars 16 oz with lids are made of high-quality food grade glass, BPA-free and lead-free, durable and sturdy for daily use. The transparent wall allows you to clearly distinguish what is inside. Note: The jars are safe for dishwasher and microwave but without the lid. To freeze, fill up to 12 oz.
- Tight Seal & Leakproof: The silver split-type lid of canning jars consists of a screw band and a flat metal disc with a silicone sealing ring on the rim, which can tightly seal the jar mouth and prevent air and excessive moisture in. No leakage, No spill, and keep fresh for longer!
- Use & Clean Easily: These pint canning jars with a 2.59" diameter regular mouth are easy to fill or empty drinks, fruits, veggies, herbs, sauces and spices. Dishware safe makes them have no trouble cleaning up, and It's also convenient to clean all corners of the jars by hand with our bonus sponge brush.
- Multipurpose Mason Jars: They are the perfect containers for Canning sauce, jam, honey, overnight oats, soup and drinks, Pickling vegetables, fruit and salads, Storing spices, herbs, snacks, dry goods and sewing items. Also great for vases, homemade candles or DIY decor. Idea as wedding favors, shower favors or other homemade gifts.
- Set Includes: The package comes with 15 pack 16oz empty glass mason jars, 15 silver screw lids and bands, 24 labels to mark, 1 bundle of string for decor, and 1 sponge brush for easy clean. All of them are securely packaged in a foam barrier to ensure you receive a good one.
