Canning Bourbon Cherries | Boozy Cocktail Cherries Recipe
Canning Boozy Cherries
These homemade bourbon cherries are the perfect shelf‑stable cocktail garnish and holiday gift. Made with dark sweet cherries, sugar, water, and bourbon (or brandy), they infuse for four weeks to develop rich flavor. Use them in cocktails, desserts, or as a glaze for ham.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: Just cherries, sugar, lemon, water, and bourbon or brandy.
- Shelf stable: Once canned, these cherries last for months.
- Holiday ready: Make them in advance for Christmas gifts or entertaining.
- Versatile: Perfect for cocktails, desserts, and savory dishes.
Ideas for Using Boozy Cherries
- Holiday gifts: Label and date jars for festive presents.
- Cocktails: Old Fashioned, Manhattans, or any drink needing a garnish.
- Desserts: Brownies, chocolate cake, cupcakes.
- Glazes: Use syrup over ham, ice cream, or baked goods.
Frequently Aasked Questions
What Makes Them Boozy Cherries?
They are boozy because alcohol is added to the syrup. The cherries infuse with bourbon or brandy during canning.
Should Fresh or Frozen Cherries Be Used?
Both work. Use sweet cherries, thawing frozen ones before simmering.
Do You Need Cherry Juice?
No juice is needed. Whole pitted cherries are used.
What If There Is Extra Syrup?
Can the syrup separately. It is excellent for cocktails, glazes, and baking.
Do You Need to Pit the Cherries?
Yes. Wash and pit cherries before canning.
What If Jars Are Not Filled?
Store leftover cherries in the fridge or freezer. Label and date for later use.
What Make This Drunken Cherries Recipe?
We use dark red cherries, white granulated sugar, water and bourbon (you can also use brandy).
Is This the Same as Cherry Brandy?
No. Cherry brandy requires additional ingredients and is a different recipe.
Can These Be Used in Baking?
Yes. Drain cherries and use infused syrup for glazes. Alcohol cooks off during baking.
Can You Use Maraschino Cherries?
No. Per the Ball Canning Book, use dark sweet cherries, not maraschino.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate after opening and use within a few weeks.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
- Wait 4 weeks for full flavor infusion.
Be sure to add this recipe to your favorite canning recipes.
Canning Bourbon Cherries | Boozy Cocktail Cherries for Cocktails and Holiday Gifts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 pounds dark sweet cherries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 ¼ cups brandy
Instructions
- Turn on your water bath canner and fill with water to heat up while processing the cherries.
- Mix together the water, sugar and lemon juice.
- Place on the stove, cooking on a medium heat.
- Bring up to a boil.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves into the water.
- Wash and pit the cherries (remove stems if needed).
- Reduce heat to a 180F simmer and add the cherries.
- We want the cherries to simmer and become hot inside and out.
- Once the cherries are hot, turn off the burner and remove from the heat.
- Add the bourbon/brandy and stir into the mix.
- Pack the hot cherries and syrup into hot jars.
- Leave 1/2" headspace with cherries and syrup in each jar.
- Remove any bubbles from the jar.
- Clean the jar rim and place the lid on finger tightening the band.
- Place the jars into the hot water bath canner and make sure jars are covered by 1 inch of water.
- Bring the water bath canner to a rolling boil for 10 minutes on medium-high heat.
- Once this happens, turn off the water bath canner.
- Remove the lid from the canner and let the jars sit in the canner for 5 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the canner and place on the towel.
- Cover the jars with a towel and allow them to cool for 12 hours.
Video
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