Amarena Cherry Recipe (2024)

Published: Nov 5, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2024 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

Make this Amarena Cherry Recipe and you will have the same delicious cherries you love for your co*cktails for way less than buying them at the store. This cherry recipe is so easy to make, only has 2 ingredients, and tastes just like the cherries you find in a fancy jar.

I have been searching FOREVER for a recipe that comes close to the co*cktail cherries in a jar from the grocery store. I finally found one!! This recipe is from the bookDrinking Frenchby David Lebovitz.

My friend gifted me this book and I couldn’t believe that on the VERY LAST PAGE was a recipe for Amarena Cherries!! This recipe isn't made from actual Amarena cherries but comes really close to the dessert cherries found in ceramic jars.

Why I Love This Recipe

I Love This Amarena Cherry Recipe because it's the closest recipe I could find to the co*cktail cherries you find at high-end bars or grocery stores. I also love this recipe because it only takes 2 ingredients and a little patience to make.

Once you realize how easy it is to make these co*cktail cherries, you may never pay full price for the cherries in a jar. Homemade co*cktail cherries are a delightful addition to your home bar, allowing you to elevate your co*cktails with a personal touch.

What are Amarena Cherries?

Amarena cherries are a variety of sour cherry that is small and dark with a tart and delicious flavor. They are a summer fruit usually picked in July and are high in vitamins A, B1, and C.

According to Wikipedia, "TheAmarena cherry(Italian:amarena) is a small sour dark colored Italiancherrygrown inBolognaandModena, two cities ofItaly. It is usually bottled in syrup and used as a decoration on rich chocolate desserts".

In today's modern world, the Amarena cherry has become known in co*cktail bars as the luxury cherry on top! They are firm, sweet, and are stored in delicious syrup. Amarena cherries can now be found in most grocery stores and liquor stores.

Ingredients Needed to Make This Recipe

This recipe only has TWO ingredients. That's right. Two ingredients. All you need is canned sour cherries and sugar. You can find canned sour cherries at your local supermarket, and even better, they are pretty inexpensive. I used regular white sugar but you could also use turbinado sugar if you wanted to.

Do you want a Boozy Cherry Instead?

If you want more booze in your cherries for co*cktails or desserts, check out my Luxardo Cherries Recipe. You can make boozy little treats with fresh cherries and Maraschino Liqueur. That is to say, these are another way to get cherry flavor into your favorite drinks or desserts.

How to Make Amarena co*cktail Cherries

Add the can of cherries (juice and all) and sugar to a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer if you have one and bring the mixture to a boil over med-high heat.

Reduce the heat and simmer with bubbles until the mixture becomes foamy. You want the temperature to get to 225° and you don't want the syrup to caramelize. The cherries start out a bright light red/orangy color but will slowly turn a dark red color and shrivel slightly. This is what you want!

See Also

Delectable no-bake honey cheesecake recipe

Whether you are using a thermometer or not, you are looking for a honey-like consistency and a color change to know when the cherries are done. This took about 35 minutes for me.

Transfer the cherries and syrup into a sealable jar and allow them to cool. You can refrigerate the cherries for up to a year (if they last that long!).

Expert Tips for This Recipe

• A candy thermometer will help tremendously for this recipe. You can still make this recipe without one, but it does make it easier.
• Whether you are using a thermometer or not, you are looking for a honey-like consistency and color change to know when the cherries are done. This took about 35 minutes for me.
• These cherries make a great gift. Simply wrap the jar with a nice ribbon, add a tag, and you are good to go. Who wouldn't want these delicious cherries?

What To Use These Cherries For

These cherries are perfect for co*cktails because they are firm, sweet, and taste amazing. Try them in my Elderflower Gin co*cktail or the Last Word co*cktail and you will not be disappointed. You can also use these cherries for desserts or just a quick sweet treat.

Recipe FAQs

If you get a chance to make these Meyer Lemon Cream Puffs tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.