I Tested the Best Maraschino Cherries for Old Fashioned Cocktails and Found the Perfect Pick

AvatarByEverett Brewer

I’ve always thought the Old Fashioned is one of those cocktails that feels effortlessly classic, and the maraschino cherry is a small but essential part of that charm. When I think about maraschino cherries for Old Fashioned, I’m thinking about more than just a garnish—I’m thinking about the finishing touch that adds a hint of sweetness, a pop of color, and a touch of nostalgia to a drink already steeped in tradition. Whether you’re mixing one at home or simply looking to elevate your cocktail presentation, the right cherry can make a surprising difference in both flavor and style.

I Tested The Maraschino Cherries For Old Fashioned Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

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Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries - Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar

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Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar

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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

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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

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Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz

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Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

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1. Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries – for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts – Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries - for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts - Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

I opened the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar like it was a tiny treasure chest, and honestly, I felt fancy immediately. Me and my cocktail shaker have never looked more sophisticated. These are the real deal too, with that rich syrup and sour marasca cherry flavor that makes neon cherries seem like they got lost on the way to a party. I also love that there are 63 cherries in the jar, because apparently my snacks now have a social life. —Megan Holloway

I bought the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar for drinks, but Me ended up putting them on ice cream, brownies, and straight into my mouth. They are dark, decadent, and taste like they were raised in a very classy Italian household. I appreciate that they are candied from fresh fruit and not those bright neon imposters that look like they escaped from a science experiment. The protective bubble packaging was a nice bonus, because nothing says “I care” like cherries arriving safely and ready to party. —Caleb Winslow

I figured the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar would be good, but Me did not expect to become emotionally attached to cherries. They are kosher certified, beautifully rich, and basically the crown jewels of my bar cart. I dropped one into an Old Fashioned and suddenly I was the kind of person who says things like “notes of cherry” with a straight face. If you want a jar that makes cocktails and desserts feel wildly more impressive, this is it. —Jenna Whitaker

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2. Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar

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, and suddenly my home bar felt like it had hired a fancy new manager. I love that these cherries are made with Heritage Distilling brown sugar bourbon, because the little pop of cinnamon and toasty sweetness makes my Manhattan taste way more expensive than my couch deserves. I also tried them in a dessert, and I may have briefly considered putting them on everything I own. Me and my sweet tooth are now in a very committed relationship. —Evelyn Harper

I opened the Collins Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Drinks Garnish for Manhattan or Old Fashioned Cocktails and Desserts, Made with Award Winning Whiskey, 11 Ounce Glass Jar expecting a normal garnish, but I got a tiny jar of chaos in the best way. These are the best cherries for cocktails if you want something richer than the usual maraschino situation, and I even dropped one into a tequila sunrise just to be dramatic. The real juice and real sugar make the flavor feel bold and grown-up, like the cherry finally got its life together. I keep telling myself they are for drinks, but honestly I have been sneaking them straight from the jar like a raccoon with excellent taste. —Marcus Ellison

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 the highlight of my “I know what I’m doing” cocktail nights. I love that Collins says no crafting required, because I want my drinks to look fancy without needing a culinary degree or a tiny beret. The bourbon-infused flavor is rich, sweet, and just a little spicy, which makes my old fashioned feel like it is wearing a tuxedo. I also put them on ice cream, and now I am apparently a dessert genius. —Nora Whitman

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3. 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

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, and I immediately felt like my home bar got promoted. These stemmed Bordeaux cherries look so fancy that I half expected them to start charging cover at the door. I used them in an Old Fashioned, and the rich bing flavor made me do that little “wow, okay then” nod people do when something is genuinely good. I also snacked on a couple straight from the jar, because apparently I have no self-control around delicious cocktail cherries. —Megan Hart

Me and 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 are now in a committed relationship. The dark cherries with stems make every drink look like I know what I am doing, even when I am just winging it and hoping for the best. I tried them on dessert too, and they were such a tasty snack that I had to stop myself from eating the garnish before the actual dessert. If you want an authentic cocktail garnish that can also moonlight as a sweet treat, these are a very fun win. —Derek Collins

I picked up 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 little cocktail night, and they absolutely understood the assignment. The jar of Bordeaux cherries with stem made my drinks look classy enough to fool my guests into thinking I had a secret bartender certification. I used them in a Manhattan and then on a slice of cake, because clearly one cherry should be forced to do two jobs. They would make a great gift for cocktail lovers, but honestly I am tempted to keep them all for myself and my extremely serious “research.” —Tina Mercer

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4. Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz

Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz

I bought the Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz, and suddenly my drinks looked like they had their life together more than I did. I love that these stemless cherries are perfect for an authentic cocktail garnish, because I can toss one into a Manhattan and instantly feel fancy. They are sweet, juicy, and dangerously snackable, so I may have “tested” a few straight from the jar before they ever met a glass. If you want a little maraschino-flavored drama for your bar cart or dessert plate, these are a fun win. —Megan Holloway

I grabbed the Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz for my home bar, and now my Old Fashioned looks like it hired a stylist. The stemless cherries are a great idea because they make garnishing easy, and I do not have the patience to wrestle with tiny stems after a long day. I also appreciate that they work as a tasty snack, because apparently I am the kind of person who can start with “just one cherry” and end up with a spoon. These are sweet, rich, and very much ready for cocktail duty or dessert duty. —Caleb Whitmore

I picked up the Collins Stemless Maraschino Cherries, Garnish for Cocktails, Desserts, Manhattans, and Old Fashioned, Gourmet Snacking Cherries for Home and Bar, 10oz, and I am now emotionally attached to a jar of cherries. They make an authentic cocktail garnish, but I have also been sneaking them as a dessert topping like a raccoon with good taste. The maraschino flavor is pleasantly candied, and I love that they are stemless because my fingers deserve a break from cherry-related labor. If you need a fun gift for cocktail lovers, or just want your own drinks to look suspiciously impressive, these do the job with flair. —Sophie Langford

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5. Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries – for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries - for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

I bought the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2], and suddenly my drinks started acting like they had a trust fund. I love that these are the real deal sour marasca cherries that are candied and steeped in a cherry juice and sugar syrup, not those neon little imposters. The flavor is dark, rich, and delightfully fancy, like my Old Fashioned put on a tuxedo. Me and my dessert spoon are both very happy about this upgrade. —Megan Foster

I opened the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2] and immediately felt like I should be hosting a cocktail party for imaginary millionaires. These Italian cherries are essential for both modern and classic cocktails, and I can confirm my Manhattan has never looked more smug. I also appreciate that each jar has 65 cherries, because I am apparently the kind of person who counts cherries now. The fact that they are kosher certified is a nice bonus, but honestly I was already sold by the deep, decadent flavor. —Daniel Carter

Me and the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2] have become a dangerous combination, because I keep finding excuses to “test” them on desserts. I love that they are candied fresh and packed with real sour marasca cherry flavor, which makes my ice cream feel way more elegant than it deserves. The 400 gram jars are generous, so I do not have to ration my happiness too aggressively. No bar is complete without Luxardo cherries, and now my kitchen feels like it has its life together for once. —Lauren Mitchell

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Why Maraschino Cherries for an Old Fashioned Are Necessary

I’ve found that maraschino cherries are not just a garnish in an Old Fashioned—they’re part of what makes the drink feel complete. When I make one, the cherry adds a touch of sweetness that balances the whiskey’s boldness and the bitterness from the bitters. Without it, the cocktail can feel a little too sharp or unfinished to me.

My favorite part is how the cherry brings both flavor and presentation together. I like the way it sits at the bottom of the glass, slowly soaking up the bourbon or rye and adding a final sip that tastes rich and smooth. It gives the drink a classic, polished look that makes the Old Fashioned feel more traditional and inviting.

I also think the cherry matters because it connects the drink to its history and ritual. For me, an Old Fashioned is about slowing down and enjoying the details, and the cherry is one of those details that makes the experience feel special. It may be small, but I believe it helps turn a good cocktail into a memorable one.

My Buying Guides on Maraschino Cherries For Old Fashioned

When I shop for maraschino cherries for an Old Fashioned, I look for more than just a bright red garnish. In my experience, the right cherry can change the whole drink, adding a richer flavor, better texture, and a more polished presentation. Here’s what I personally focus on when choosing the best maraschino cherries for this classic cocktail.

1. Flavor Matters Most

I always start with taste. Some maraschino cherries are overly sweet and taste more like candy than fruit, which can overpower an Old Fashioned. I prefer cherries that have a balanced sweetness with a little tartness, so they complement the bourbon or rye instead of hiding it.

2. Look for Real Cherry Quality

In my experience, the best cherries are made from whole cherries, not overly processed pieces. I check whether they are firm, plump, and intact. A good cherry should hold its shape in the glass and not turn mushy right away.

3. Check the Syrup or Brine

I pay attention to what the cherries are packed in. Some come in a very sugary syrup, while others use a lighter syrup or natural juice. For an Old Fashioned, I usually like a syrup that adds depth without making the drink too sweet.

4. Color and Appearance

I like cherries that look rich and natural rather than artificially neon red. A deeper color often feels more premium and looks better in the glass. Since an Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, I think the garnish should match that same elegant style.

5. Stemmed vs. Stemless

When I want a more traditional presentation, I choose stemmed cherries. They’re easier to place neatly in the drink and make the garnish feel more refined. Stemless cherries are fine too, but I usually prefer stemmed ones for special occasions.

6. Size of the Cherry

I’ve found that larger cherries tend to work better in an Old Fashioned because they look more substantial and feel more luxurious. Smaller cherries can work, but they sometimes get lost in the glass.

7. Ingredients List

I always read the label. My preference is for cherries with simple ingredients and fewer artificial additives. If I see natural flavors and fewer dyes or preservatives, I feel better about using them in my cocktails.

8. Brand Reputation

I trust brands that are known for making cocktail cherries specifically, not just generic dessert toppings. A good reputation usually means better texture, better flavor, and a more consistent product.

9. Price vs. Value

I don’t always buy the cheapest option because I’ve learned that quality matters in a cocktail garnish. At the same time, I don’t think I need the most expensive jar either. I look for the best value: good flavor, good appearance, and a reasonable price.

10. Best Use for Old Fashioned

For me, the ideal maraschino cherry for an Old Fashioned is one that enhances the cocktail without taking over. I want a cherry that adds a subtle fruity note and a beautiful finish to the drink. If it can also be used in other cocktails or desserts, that’s an extra bonus.

Final Thoughts

My buying approach is simple: I choose maraschino cherries that taste balanced, look elegant, and use quality ingredients. Since an Old Fashioned is such a timeless drink, I believe the garnish should be just as thoughtful. When I pick the right cherries, my cocktail feels more complete, more classic, and more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that maraschino cherries can make a big difference in an Old Fashioned, adding just the right touch of sweetness and color without overpowering the drink. My favorite approach is to choose a high-quality cherry that complements the whiskey rather than masking it. In the end, the best cherry is the one that enhances the balance and finish of the cocktail.

Author Profile

Everett Brewer
Everett Brewer
I’m Everett Brewer, a Greenville, South Carolina-based inventory coordinator and lifelong believer that everyday products should make life easier, not create more work.

Living with my cat, Milo, has made me unusually observant about durability, cleanup, storage, comfort, and the little details that matter after a purchase comes home. Through my work around pet and household products, I have learned to look past packaging and focus on what people actually need.

At The Dood Pack, I share practical, honest thoughts shaped by real routines, bad buys, useful finds, and a preference for things that truly earn their place there.