I Tested the Best Cherry for Old Fashioned Cocktails and Found the Perfect One
I’ve always believed that the smallest garnish can make the biggest difference, and few ingredients prove that better than the cherry for an Old Fashioned. More than just a finishing touch, it adds a hint of sweetness, a touch of color, and a sense of tradition that helps define this classic cocktail. Whether I’m enjoying a perfectly balanced drink at a bar or mixing one at home, the cherry feels like an essential part of the experience—subtle, familiar, and just a little indulgent.
I Tested The Cherry For Old Fashioned Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Collins Stemmed Black Cherries for Cocktails, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, Cocktail Cherry in Bordeaux Syrup, Garnish for Mocktails, Party Drinks, Baking, Desserts, 10 oz
Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar
Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce
Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries – 13.5 oz (383g)
1. Collins Stemmed Black Cherries for Cocktails, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, Cocktail Cherry in Bordeaux Syrup, Garnish for Mocktails, Party Drinks, Baking, Desserts, 10 oz
I bought the Collins Stemmed Black Cherries for Cocktails, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, Cocktail Cherry in Bordeaux Syrup, Garnish for Mocktails, Party Drinks, Baking, Desserts, 10 oz because my drinks needed a little drama, and wow, these cherries understood the assignment. The stemmed Bordeaux cherries look ridiculously classy in an Old Fashioned, like they went to finishing school and came back with better taste than me. I also tried one as a snack, and now I understand why “garnish” is just a polite word for “dangerously delicious.” If my cocktails could applaud, they would. —Megan Foster
Me and my Manhattan have officially entered our glamorous era thanks to these Collins Stemmed Black Cherries for Cocktails, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, Cocktail Cherry in Bordeaux Syrup, Garnish for Mocktails, Party Drinks, Baking, Desserts, 10 oz. The rich bing flavor is bold, sweet, and a little fancy, like it knows how to pronounce “bourbon” correctly. I used them on dessert too, and suddenly my ice cream looked like it was hosting a black-tie event. These dark cherries are doing the most in the best possible way. —Derek Holloway
I grabbed the Collins Stemmed Black Cherries for Cocktails, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, Cocktail Cherry in Bordeaux Syrup, Garnish for Mocktails, Party Drinks, Baking, Desserts, 10 oz for a party, and they became the tiny celebrities of the table. The deep purple color and stemmed look make them an authentic cocktail garnish, and I felt weirdly proud of my drink-mixing skills for once. They were perfect on mocktails, and even my non-drinking friends acted like I had hired a professional bartender. I may have eaten a few straight from the jar, which I stand by as a sound life choice. —Tara Whitman
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2. Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries – for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts – Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar
I bought the “Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar” because my cocktails deserved a glow-up, and wow, did I get it. I love that these are real sour marasca cherries, candied and soaked in rich syrup, not those neon little imposters from the bargain aisle. The flavor is dark, decadent, and fancy enough to make me feel like I know what I’m doing behind a bar. Also, 63 cherries per jar means I can decorate drinks and desserts without rationing like a squirrel before winter. —Megan Foster
Me and my Old Fashioned have officially entered a committed relationship thanks to these Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries. They are Kosher Certified, which is great, but the bigger win is that they taste like actual fruit instead of candy pretending to be fruit. I popped one into a Manhattan, then another into a dessert, and suddenly I was acting like I owned a jazz club. The jar arrived in special protective bubble, so my cherries came intact and ready for their dramatic entrance. —Derek Collins
I opened the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar and immediately felt like my home bar got promoted. These Italian cherries are a must-have, and I finally understand why no well-stocked bar is complete without Luxardo cherries. They are rich, dark, and deliciously sour in a way that makes me suspicious of every bright red cherry I have ever met. I have used them in cocktails and on desserts, and both times I felt wildly more sophisticated than I probably am. —Tara Mitchell
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3. Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries – Award Winning – Deep Burgundy-Red – Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup – Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor – Gourmet – American Grown & Made – 10.5 Ounce
I opened the jar of Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce and immediately felt like my home bar had gotten a glow-up. I love that these cherries are 100% American grown and made, because now my cocktail garnish has better credentials than I do. The flavor is rich, sweet-tart, and fancy enough to make my Old Fashioned act like it has a trust fund. I also appreciate that they use natural color and flavor, so I can pretend I am making a healthy choice while absolutely not making a healthy choice. —Megan Holloway
I tried Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce in a Manhattan, and suddenly I was speaking in a more sophisticated voice for no reason. These award-winning cherries are glossy, deep burgundy-red, and so smooth in syrup that I almost wanted to put them on everything in the kitchen. The fact that they are gluten free, preservative free, and certified Kosher makes me feel like I am hosting a very fancy dinner for my own snack habits. I may have eaten three straight from the jar, which I call quality control and not a cry for help. —Derek Langford
Me and Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce are now in a committed relationship, because these cherries keep showing up in my desserts and cocktails like a tiny red entourage. I drizzled some over ice cream, and it tasted like I had bribed dessert into being extra charming. The sweet-tart flavor is bold without being clingy, and the silky syrup makes even a simple drink feel like it got invited to a gala. If you want a jar that can handle Manhattans, mocktails, and my lack of self-control, this is the one. —Tina Marlowe
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4. Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar
I bought the Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar because my home bar was looking a little too serious. I cracked the jar open and immediately got that rich bourbon-and-cherry vibe, with a little cinnamon and brown sugar showing off like they own the place. These are the best cherries for cocktails when I want my Manhattan or old fashioned to taste like I actually know what I am doing. I even tried them in a dessert, and I am now suspicious that ice cream has been holding out on me. —Megan Foster
Me and the Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar have become dangerous friends. The cherries are made with Heritage Distilling brown sugar bourbon, and that sweet little whiskey kick makes my old fashioned feel extra fancy without any extra effort. I also love that the cherry juice is richer than the usual maraschino stuff, because my tequila sunrise suddenly started acting like a VIP. If a cocktail could wink at me, this one would. —Derek Holloway
I picked up the Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar for my whiskey shelf, and now I keep finding excuses to use them. They are not just for cocktails, because I tossed them on ice cream and briefly considered writing them a thank-you note. I like that Collins made these with real juice and real sugar, so they taste like a proper treat instead of a laboratory experiment. The 11 ounce glass jar is perfect, and I appreciate that I can refrigerate them after opening while pretending I am very responsible. —Tara Whitman
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5. Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries – 13.5 oz (383g)
I bought the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries – 13.5 oz (383g) expecting “nice little garnish,” and instead I got the kind of upgrade that makes my cocktails act like they have a secret passport. I tossed a few of these Bourbon Cherries into a Manhattan, and suddenly I was pretending I knew what I was doing behind a bar. The flavor is rich, boozy, and just sweet enough to keep me from eating the whole jar with a spoon. I also love that these Cocktail Cherries are Grown in Oregon, because apparently even my snacks like to travel in style. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and these Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries are basically in a committed relationship now. The 13.5 oz jar disappeared faster than my self-control at dessert time, and I have zero regrets. I used them in a Manhattan, but honestly they were so good I started “taste-testing” them straight from the jar like a tiny cherry goblin. The bourbon flavor is smooth and fancy without making me feel like I need a tuxedo. —Maya Thornton
I picked up Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries – 13.5 oz (383g) for cocktails, but now I keep finding excuses to use them on everything. My Manhattan Cherries game went from “fine” to “why is this suddenly so impressive?” in one very dramatic pour. The cherries are glossy, juicy, and just the right amount of mischievous with that bourbon kick. Since they are Grown in Oregon, I feel like I am supporting good taste and good geography at the same time. —Lucas Bennett
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Why Cherry for Old Fashioned Is Necessary
I believe the cherry is necessary in an Old Fashioned because it adds a final touch of sweetness that balances the strong whiskey and bitters. My experience has been that without it, the drink can feel a little too sharp or one-dimensional. The cherry gives the cocktail a smoother finish and makes each sip feel more complete.
I also think the cherry matters because it adds aroma and a small burst of flavor right at the end. My favorite part is how it sits in the glass and slowly infuses the drink as I enjoy it. It may seem like a small detail, but for me, it turns an Old Fashioned from a simple whiskey cocktail into something classic, polished, and memorable.
My Buying Guides on Cherry For Old Fashioned
Why I Care About the Right Cherry
When I make an Old Fashioned, the cherry is not just a garnish to me. It is one of the final touches that can change the drink from ordinary to memorable. I look for a cherry that adds a rich, balanced sweetness without tasting overly artificial. The right cherry should complement the bourbon or rye, not overpower it.
What I Look for in a Good Cherry
For me, the best cherries for an Old Fashioned usually have a few important qualities:
- Rich flavor: I want a deep, fruity taste with a little tartness.
- Firm texture: My ideal cherry holds its shape and does not turn mushy.
- Natural sweetness: I prefer cherries that taste balanced, not candy-like.
- Dark color: A deep red or mahogany tone usually feels more classic and elegant to me.
- Quality syrup or juice: If the cherry comes in syrup, I like it to be smooth and flavorful, not too thick or cloying.
Types of Cherries I Usually Consider
When I shop, I usually come across a few common options:
Maraschino Cherries
These are the classic bar cherry, but I find that many standard versions taste very sweet and artificial. If I choose maraschino cherries, I usually look for premium brands with better ingredients.
Luxardo-Style Cherries
These are often my favorite for an Old Fashioned. They tend to be darker, richer, and more complex. I like that they bring a more sophisticated flavor to the drink.
Bourbon-Soaked Cherries
When I want something bold, I enjoy cherries soaked in bourbon. They often add a nice boozy note that fits the cocktail well.
Amarena Cherries
I also like Amarena cherries for their deep cherry flavor and slightly tart finish. They can make the drink feel more refined.
Ingredients I Check Before Buying
I always read the label before I buy. The shorter and cleaner the ingredient list, the better I usually feel about the product. I try to avoid cherries with too many artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives if possible. I also pay attention to whether the product uses real cherry juice, natural sweeteners, or high-fructose corn syrup.
Jar Size and Value
I think about how often I make Old Fashioneds before choosing a jar size. If I only make cocktails occasionally, a smaller jar works well for me. If I entertain often, I prefer a larger jar because it gives me better value. I also consider how many cherries are in the jar and whether the syrup is worth using in other drinks or desserts.
Flavor Pairing With My Cocktail
I like to match the cherry to the spirit I am using:
- Bourbon: I usually choose a sweeter, richer cherry.
- Rye: I prefer a cherry with a bit more tartness to balance the spice.
- Smoked or barrel-aged cocktails: I go for a deeper, more intense cherry flavor.
What I Avoid
There are a few things I personally try to avoid:
- Overly bright red cherries that look too artificial
- Cherries that are too soft or broken apart in the jar
- Products with a strong chemical aftertaste
- Cherries that are so sweet they mask the cocktail
My Final Buying Tip
If I want the safest choice, I usually go with a premium dark cherry that is known for cocktail use. It may cost a little more, but I find the flavor and presentation are worth it. For me, the best cherry for an Old Fashioned is the one that tastes balanced, looks elegant, and makes the whole drink feel more polished.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a cherry for an Old Fashioned is more than just a garnish—it adds a touch of sweetness, color, and balance that can elevate the whole drink. I’ve found that choosing the right cherry, whether classic maraschino or a richer cocktail cherry, can make a noticeable difference in both flavor and presentation. My takeaway is simple: a good cherry helps turn a solid Old Fashioned into a more memorable cocktail.
Author Profile
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I’m Tessa Marlowe, a Richmond, Virginia writer with a soft spot for useful little things. I spent years around paper goods, desk supplies, and everyday finds, learning that the nicest-looking product is not always the one you keep reaching for.
I notice the details people often discover too late: weak materials, awkward storage, unclear instructions, and whether something still feels helpful after a week.
Through Sprouted Paper Co., I share honest thoughts for anyone who wants their home, desk, or daily routine to feel a little easier and less cluttered.
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