652611 Tue Sep 15 15:12:49 -0700 2009 14 36 Spirits 0 5032421 I knew homemade cocktail cherries would undoubtedly be better, but I figured I would give Luxardo Maraschino cherries a try due to the convenience factor. I must say, I feel quite the fool for dishing out $20 for a jar of these. I found the taste only marginally different from the average jar of neon red maraschinos. For me, the two main advantages are the more natural dark red color, and the slightly meatier texture. Apparently I should have heeded my doubts upon seeing from the label that these are simply cherries in sugar syrup. My advice is give all maraschino cherries, including the more genuine and highly priced Luxardo ones, a pass. Next time, I will try making my own cocktail cherries, perhaps soaking some bing cherries in brandy. If you disagree, or have found some worthwhile jarred cherries, feel free to reply. Tue Sep 15 15:12:49 -0700 2009 231098 nickls 1 5032558 I don't doubt that homemade cherries would be better, but I love the Luxardo cherries. They have a nice texture and are a big step up from the candied horrors that most bars use. They have real cherry flavor too, which interacts well with the spirits in my Manhattan. Yes, they are expensive, though I get them for closer to $15 per jar. Tue Sep 15 16:10:29 -0700 2009 5032421 10132 sku 1 5032634 Maraschino cherries may have their place after all. Personally, I use my own brandied cherries whenever I'm making a drink, but if one needed a cherry for a non-alcoholic drink, that would most certainly rule out brandied cherries... Tue Sep 15 16:43:29 -0700 2009 5032421 231834 French Foodie 1 5033854 I agree, was underwhelmed by the Luxardo cherries. Last Christmas they had them here in boston essentially for free. It was buy a bottle of Luxardo Marashino liquor and get two bottles of cherries for free. I far prefer my homemade cherries. Wed Sep 16 08:16:16 -0700 2009 5032421 10169 StriperGuy 2 5039652 Striper, any chance you could post the redipe for your cherries? I've been wanting to make some, but haven't found a decent recipe. Thanks! Fri Sep 18 09:18:25 -0700 2009 5033854 92744 invinotheresverde 3 5039791 Cocktail Cherry Recipe: - Blanch cherries in very Salty boiling water for 4 minutes - Rinse and soak for a few minutes in cool water to get rid of salt - Place cherries in large jar Add healthy amounts of the following: star anise, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, anise seed, fennel seed - Make some REALLY concentrated red hibiscus tea (this is to help the cherries keep their color) and add 1/2 cup to the bottle - If you can find some good cherry juice add a cup to the jar - Fill the rest of the jar with vodka or cheap brandy - Add sugar to taste - Wait at least a month Yum. Fri Sep 18 09:58:51 -0700 2009 5039652 10169 StriperGuy 4 5040104 Sounds great. Thanks! Fri Sep 18 11:54:21 -0700 2009 5039791 92744 invinotheresverde 5 5040238 They are spicy, awesome, and blow away any other cocktail cherry I have ever had. The juice in the jar itself makes a delicious addition to drinks as well. Fri Sep 18 12:33:41 -0700 2009 5040104 10169 StriperGuy 6 5040258 I hope this doesn't sound like a dumb blonde question...but why do you soak the cherries in salted water first? and how salty? Fri Sep 18 12:40:31 -0700 2009 5040238 1110316 katidyd 7 5040520 The recipe above is my own creation based on several other recipes I read. Short answer: I am not exactly sure why, but several recipes I saw suggest that. I will also add that the finished cherries have a very nice firm texture and I think the salt water blanch has something to do with it. I can only imagine that the salt water blanch draws some water out of the cherries, firming them up, and then also makes the skins more permeable to the spices/booze. But I am only guessing here. How salty? I probably did a 1/2 cup of kosher salt to 2 quarts of water. Fri Sep 18 14:06:22 -0700 2009 5040258 10169 StriperGuy 8 5041736 Thanks much - if our farmers' market still has cherries when I go today I will definitely be making this this weekend. Cheers! Sat Sep 19 07:01:35 -0700 2009 5040520 1110316 katidyd 8 5106593 StriperGuy - do you pit the cherries? How long do you think they would stay good? I'm mad I just saw this and now have to wait until next cherry season to try! Thu Oct 15 16:33:45 -0700 2009 5040520 1099849 kayowinter 9 5107565 No need to pit. And with all the alcohol and sugar they keep semi-indefinitely. Certainly good for a year or so... Fri Oct 16 06:58:07 -0700 2009 5106593 10169 StriperGuy 4 5107558 Not bad to add 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice too. Other optional additions: - Orgeat syrup or almond extract Fri Oct 16 06:57:28 -0700 2009 5039791 10169 StriperGuy 1 5108495 I agree that homemade are better, but I think the Luxardo cherries are worth the price, and they're available year-round. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Fri Oct 16 11:57:42 -0700 2009 5032421 10143 MC Slim JB