This DIY cherry liqueur is great for gift-giving, including in baking and cooking, and serving on it’s own. If you enjoy sweet, and natural, liqueurs try your hand at making your own cherry liqueur this season.
When the cherries are available by the case at the Farmer’s Market or in your own backyard, make a few bottles of cherry liqueur for yourself or as a gift. Cherry liqueur is sensational in trifle or over ice cream. And it’s easy to make at home. If cherries are out of season, use frozen or dried cherries for the same purpose.
What you’ll need:
4 cups of pitted Bing cherries or other sweet cherries
Pits from your cherry pitting
1 cup of organic sugar, plus 1 cup of water
3 vanilla beans, split (optional)
3 cups of vodka or bourbon
Makes 1 quart
Making the cherry syrup
Pit the cherries and reserve the pits and the juice from the pitting operation. Put the pits and juice in a sauce pan. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to the sauce pan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for 1 hour. Allow to cool. Strain the pits, reserving the juice.
Assemble the liqueur
In a wide mouth mason jar, add the 4 cups of pitted cherries and the split vanilla beans. Using a wooden spurtle, press down the cherries in the jar to release some of the juice. Pour 1 cup of the cherry syrup over the fruit in the jar. Fill the jar with the alcohol, leaving a 1 inch head space. Cap tightly and allow to macerate for 4 weeks. The cherries will ferment in the jar, and the contents will expand so put it on a paper towel to catch any drips. Shake the jar whenever you think of it during the waiting time.
After a month, taste your DIY cherry liqueur to see if it’s rich enough. Leave it longer if you want more cherry flavour, up to 8 weeks.
Bottle your DIY cherry liqueur
When it’s ready, strain the liqueur, reserving the cherries. Bottle the liqueur in a fancy bottle. Cork tightly. Dip the cork in wax for a fancy giftable finish.
What to do with left over liqueur-infused cherries
The left over cherries can be used for amazing, adult only, cherry fool.
A fool is a dessert of smashed fruit and whipped cream, layered in a parfait glass – I love to use decorative jam jars. They are so pretty.
Did you have fun making cherry liqueur? Try making coffee liqueur, too.
could this be made using brandy as the alcohol?
Yes. Brandy is my preferred alcohol for this recipe.
I’m looking forward to making the cherry liqueur that I plan to use in my cake. Can I use the cherries in my black forest cake.
Hello and than you for this cherry liqueur recipe, I’m into week 2 and can’t wait for it to be completed.
I couldn’t find vanilla beans at 2 different stores but found vanilla bean paste and it had the directions for how much to use in place of the bean, I also bumped it up a notch and used 120 proof Everclear, I will let you know how it turns out.
PS, I’m going to make cherry fool with the cherries when I’m done, thanks again.
Can a little real vanilla extract be used instead of the beans?
If yes, how much can be added?
Thx! Looking forward to trying this!
Can we use honey instead of sugar?
Do the cherry pits give more flavour? I haven’t heard of cooking them before!
They have an almond flavor
I know this post is from 2014 but I just found it. If the contents expand enough to cause leaking and the lid is on tight, won’t the jar break? Would it be safer to put on a balloon like I have read that they do when making wine? I am very excited to try this as a gift this season but don’t want a broken jar and wasted product. Also trying the Kahlua recipe immediately. Thank you!
No the liqueur shouldn’t ferment. But it may expand from changes in temperature. You should be fine with a regular lid on it. But if you are worried it won’t hurt it to put a balloon on the top.
Oh my, this sounds so good! I think I will make some for gifts! I would bet this would make a wonderful cocktail! Thanks for the recipe and tutorial!
I am so going to make the cherry liqueur for my husband, but one question: when are the vanilla beans added? Before or after the cooking? Thank you.
I pop the vanilla beans into the jar with the cherries. Did I leave that out? I’ll add it now. Thanks for pointing that out.