Maraschino Cherries

It is difficult to find a reasonably priced Maraschino cherry that is free of red dye #40, corn syrup and/or almond extract. Here is a very easy recipe to make them yourself. The first version is the "cocktail" version and contains alcohol, the second is the kiddy version. Enjoy!

Cocktail Maraschino Cherries

Special Tools
Hot water bath canner
Six 1/2-pint jars with lids and rings
Cherry pitter

Ingredients
2-1/2 cups Luxardo Maraschino Liquor
2 cups pure black cherry juice (Lakewood)
1/2 cup pure cane sugar
5 cups fresh organic cherries of choice, stemmed and pitted

1. Using dishwasher set to sterilize cycle, or sani-rinse cycle, sterilize 1/2 pint jars and rings; do not open dishwasher until you are ready to fill the jars.
2. Fill hot water bath canner with water as directed by manufacturer; place over high heat to bring water to a boil; add lid inserts.
3. Meanwhile, wash cherries very well in cool water; pull off stems; remove pits from cherries with cherry pitter; place pitted cherries on paper-towel lined baking sheet; dry cherries well.
4. In a saucepan set over medium heat, stir together liquor, black cherry juice and cane sugar; stir to dissolve sugar; heat to boiling; drop heat to a simmer.
5. Add cherries to simmering liquid; cook 5 minutes; turn off heat.
6. Remove jars from dishwasher; using slotted spoon, fill each jar with cherries, being sure to leave 1" headspace; continue filling 1/2-pint jars until all cherries are jarred; using a ladle or large spoon, fill each jar with simmering liquid (leave at least 3/4" headspace); using tongs, remove lids from water bath canner and carefully place one on each jar and then secure with metal rings.
7. Place lidded jars into hot water bath canner and boil for 10 minutes.

Remove jars from canner to counter to cool completely prior to storage at room temperature up to 1 year. Chill cherries prior to opening, if desired.

Once jar is opened, refrigerate and use within 1 month. The liquid in the jar can be used to make cocktails, such as a cherry martini.

Kiddy Maraschino Cherries

Special Tools

Hot water bath canner

Six 1/2-pint jars with lids and rings

Cherry pitter

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups pure black cherry juice (Lakewood)

2 cups water

1-1/2 cups pure cane sugar

5 cups fresh organic cherries of choice, stemmed and pitted

1. Using dishwasher set to sterilize cycle, or sani-rinse cycle, sterilize 1/2 pint jars and rings; do not open dishwasher until you are ready to fill the jars.
2. Fill hot water bath canner with water as directed by manufacturer; place over high heat to bring water to a boil; add lid inserts.
3. Meanwhile, wash cherries very well in cool water; pull off stems; remove pits from cherries with cherry pitter; place pitted cherries on paper-towel lined baking sheet; dry cherries well.
4. In a saucepan set over medium heat, stir together water, black cherry juice and cane sugar; stir to dissolve sugar; heat to boiling; drop heat to a simmer.
5. Add cherries to simmering liquid; cook 5 minutes; turn off heat.
6. Remove jars from dishwasher; using slotted spoon, fill each jar with cherries, being sure to leave 1" headspace; continue filling 1/2-pint jars until all cherries are jarred; using a ladle or large spoon, fill each jar with simmering liquid (leave at least 3/4" headspace); using tongs, remove lids from water bath canner and carefully place one on each jar and then secure with metal rings.
7. Place lidded jars into hot water bath canner and boil for 10 minutes.

Remove jars from canner to counter to cool completely prior to storage at room temperature up to 1 year. Chill cherries prior to opening, if desired.

Once jar is opened, refrigerate and use within 1 month. The liquid in the jar can be used to make cocktails, such as a kiddy cocktail (mix with lemon-lime-orange soda pop).