Luxardo Maraschino Cherries

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries shine as a luxurious garnish in classic whiskey cocktails and sophisticated gin-based drinks, adding a touch of deep, fruity sweetness. These indulgent cherries are also delightful eaten straight from the jar as a decadent treat, particularly on crisp autumn evenings, and pair wonderfully with rich desserts like dark chocolate tortes or creamy cheesecakes.

Nose: Rich and sweet with prominent cherry aromas. Notes of almond extract, vanilla, and a subtle hint of cinnamon. The scent is reminiscent of homemade cherry pie filling.

Palate: Intensely sweet with a thick, syrupy texture. Dominant flavors of ripe cherries and dark fruit preserves. Subtle notes of almond, clove, and hints of amaretto liqueur. The cherries themselves are firm yet tender, with a satisfying bite.

Finish: Long-lasting sweetness with a lingering cherry flavor. A slight tartness emerges, balancing the overall sweetness. Subtle spice notes and a faint nuttiness persist, reminiscent of marzipan.

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are made by soaking small, sour Marasca cherries in a syrup of cherry juice, sugar, and Marasca cherry liqueur for several months. What's fascinating about the process is that these cherries are grown exclusively in the coastal regions of Croatia, harvested with their stems and pits intact, then carefully candied to preserve their natural flavor and texture without using artificial preservatives or colors.

• Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are so prized that during World War II, the Luxardo family buried their secret cherry trees to protect them from bombing raids. They later used cuttings from these hidden trees to restart production in Italy after fleeing Yugoslavia.
• Unlike most cocktail cherries, Luxardo's aren't artificially dyed. Their deep burgundy color comes from the sour marasca cherry's natural pigments and a month-long soak in marasca syrup, giving them 10 times more cherry flavor than mass-produced alternatives.
• The Luxardo company once received a letter from the Vatican, praising their cherries as "the only true maraschino." This papal seal of approval helped cement Luxardo's reputation as the gold standard for cocktail cherries worldwide.