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Boozy Cherry Bombs

Boozy cherry bombs are alcohol-soaked cherries steeped 24 to 48 hours for deep jewel-toned flavor and a syrupy finish. Maraschino or fresh dark cherries soak in bourbon, amaretto, or dark rum, then get sugar-dusted and served on cocktail picks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
soaking 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Boozy cherry soaking base
  • 1 cup bourbon Use bourbon, amaretto, or dark rum total.
  • 0.5 cup cherry juice or grenadine Choose cherry juice or grenadine.
  • 2 tbsp sugar For the syrup soak.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cherries and serving
  • 24 maraschino or fresh dark cherries with stems Drain maraschino or pit fresh while keeping stems intact.
  • 1 granulated sugar for dusting (optional) Optional sugar-dusted finish.
  • 24 cocktail picks for serving For skewering and serving.

Equipment

  • 1 jar with lid

Method
 

Prep cherries
  1. Drain maraschino cherries or pit fresh cherries, keeping stems intact.
  2. Set the cherries aside while you mix the soaking liquid.
Make the boozy syrup
  1. In a jar, combine bourbon, cherry juice or grenadine, sugar, and vanilla extract, then stir until the sugar dissolves.
Soak
  1. Add cherries to the jar and ensure they are fully submerged in the liquid.
  2. Seal the jar and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) for at least 24 hours; refrigerate up to 48 hours for the best flavor.
Serve
  1. Remove cherries with a slotted spoon and roll lightly in granulated sugar if desired.
  2. Thread cherries onto cocktail picks and serve, keeping the deep jewel-toned color visible.

Notes

Pro tip: fully submerge the cherries in the jar so they soak evenly and develop a glossy, syrupy finish—if needed, stir the jar gently once during the first hours. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; the cherries can be frozen for up to 1 month (sugar dusting may dissolve after thawing). For a lower-alcohol version, replace some of the alcohol with additional cherry juice or grenadine and soak for the full time, though the flavor will be less punchy.