13 Cherry Cocktails That Bring Sweetness & Color to the Party

If you want to add some sweetness and sass to your cocktail game, cherry cocktails should be on your radar. This little fruit packs a big flavor and color punch, making it the perfect addition to any drink. From classic whiskey cocktails to exotic tiki concoctions, cherries have been a beloved ingredient in mixology for centuries.  

So, let’s raise a glass to the mighty little cherry and explore some fun and inventive ways to incorporate it into your next libation! 

History of cherries in cocktails

Cherries have been used in cocktails for centuries as both a garnish and flavoring agent. In the early days of cocktail culture, cherries were often muddled with sugar and mixed with wine or brandy to create a sweet and fruity drink. As cocktail culture evolved, cherries became a common garnish for drinks made with whiskey, particularly the Manhattan and Old Fashioned.  

In the mid-20th century, cherries emerged as a popular component in Tiki-style cocktails, which often featured tropical fruits and flavors. Today, cherries are still commonly used in many classic and modern cocktails, adding a sweet and tart flavor profile and a pop of color to a drink. 

Different ways to use cherries in cocktails

The great thing about using cherries in mixed drinks is that there are a variety of ways to incorporate the fruit in cherry cocktail recipes. Here are a few of our favorite ways: 

Fresh cherry juice

Fresh cherry juice is a perfect way to add a fruity, tart flavor to your cocktails. You can use store-bought cherry juice or simply pit and blend fresh cherries with a little water or lemon juice, then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. This juice can be used in a variety of drinks, including Margaritas, punches, and spritzers. 

Cherry liqueur

Cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering is perfect for adding a touch of deeply integrated cherry flavor to your cocktails. It can be used in a variety of drinks, including Martinis, Daiquiris, and Manhattans. Try mixing it with other fruity liqueurs, such as raspberry or blackberry, for a delicious mixed drink. 

Cherry vodka

Cherry vodka offers a great base for a variety of cocktails, including Cosmos, and even Bloody Marys. It’s also easy to make your own cherry vodka by infusing regular vodka with fresh cherries. Simply add pitted cherries to a mason jar with a few cups vodka and let it sit for a few days, shaking it occasionally to mix the flavors. Then strain out the cherries and use the infused vodka to your liking.  

Cherry syrup

Cherry syrup is a sweet and tangy syrup that can be used in a variety of drinks, including lemonades, sodas, and low-ABV cocktails.  

Combine two cups of sugar, two cups of water, and 16 oz of cherries (pitted, fresh or frozen) in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for five minutes, stirring frequently. Let it stand for five minutes. Then pour the cherry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl, gently pressing the cherries to release its remaining juices.  

Discard the cherries and allow the syrup to cool down to room temperature. Cover the container and place it in the fridge to chill for four hours. Once it is chilled, transfer the cherry syrup to your preferred storage container. Flavored simple syrup will last for in your fridge for up to a month. 

Insider scoop: Easy Simple Syrup Variations for Cocktails

Fresh cherries

Fresh cherries are bright and beautiful addition to any cocktail. Simply muddle a few cherries in the bottom of a glass before adding the rest of the ingredients. These are especially delicious in drinks like a Mojito or Old Fashioned. 

Sugared cherries

Sugared cherries are a gorgeous garnish for cocktails. To make it at home, coat fresh cherries in sugar syrup and let them dry on a wire rack. These are perfect for adding a touch of sweetness and visual appeal to drinks like Champagne cocktails and fruity Martinis. 

Classic cherry cocktails

Here are a few of our go-to classic cherry cocktail recipes that always down a treat when we shake them up at home:

1. Cherry Blossom

Perfect for spring gatherings or a quiet evening treat, the Cherry Blossom is as pretty as it tastes.

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz Sake

• 0.5 oz Cherry liqueur

• 0.25 oz Bulldog Gin (opens in new window)

• 0.25 oz Grand Marnier (opens in new window)

• 0.25 oz Grenadine

• 0.25 oz Lemon juice

• Fresh or brandied cherries

• Ice

Method

1. Add sake, cherry liqueur, gin, Grand Marnier, grenadine, and lemon juice to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until thoroughly chilled

3. Strain into a chilled glass

4. Garnish with fresh or brandied cherries

More spring inspo: 21 Delicious Spring Cocktails to Try in 2025 

2. Cherry Lime Rickey

The Cherry Lime Rickey is a fruity twist on the classic Lime Rickey, and it’s as pretty as a picture. It’s a great way to add a splash of color to just about any occasion. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 2 oz Bulldog Gin

• 0.5 oz Cherry syrup

• Sparkling water

• Lime wedges

• Maraschino cherries

• Ice

Method

1. Add lime juice, Bulldog Gin, and cherry syrup to a serving glass and stir

2. Fill the glass with ice

3. Top with sparkling water

4. Garnish with lime wedges and Maraschino cherries

3. Singapore Sling

The dashing Singapore Sling is one of the world’s favorite cocktails and has made silver-screen appearances in movies like Cocktail and Pirates of the Caribbean. Well-balanced and delectably boozy, our recipe yields a subtly sweet drink with herbal undertones and a fair bit of kick from several different liqueurs. 

Modern cherry cocktails  

Cherry cocktails have also become increasingly popular in modern mixology as bartenders and home mixologists experiment with the sweet and tangy flavor profiles to invigorate their cocktail menus in unique and creative ways. Here are a few to try out at home: 

4. Cherry Margarita

This enticing take on the classic Margarita is tailor-made for early summer when fresh cherries are in plentiful supply.

Ingredients

• 6 Fresh cherries (stemmed and pitted)

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 2 oz Espolòn Reposado Tequila (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Cherry liqueur

• 1 oz Simple syrup

• Salt (for rim, optional)

• Ice

Method

1. Add cherries and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle until the cherries mostly break down

2. Add the tequila, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and ice

3. Shake vigorously until frosty

4. Strain into a chilled serving glass

5. Garnish with a salted rim if preferred

5. Cherry Whiskey Sour

If you’re a fan of whiskey cherry cocktails, you’ll love this delicious twist on the classic Whiskey Sour. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Fresh cherries (diced)

• 1 oz Simple syrup

• 1 oz Lime juice

• 2 oz Whiskey

• Ice

Method

1. Add diced cherries and simple syrup to a small bowl and let macerate for at least 30 minutes

2. Transfer the cherries and syrup to a blender

3. Add lime juice and whiskey, then blend on high until the cherries are completely puréed

4. Pour into a cocktail glass over ice

5. Serve immediately

6. Cherry Negroni

Why yes, of course there is a cherry-infused version of the ever-stylish Negroni. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Campari (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Bulldog Gin

• 1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window)

• 2 oz Tart cherry juice

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• Orange peel

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Add Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, tart cherry juice, and simple syrup

3. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds

4. Strain into a chilled glass

5. Twist an orange peel over the drink to release oils and garnish

Cocktails with cherry garnishes

Maraschino and Luxardo cherries are two popular types of cherries used in cocktails and desserts. Maraschino cherries are typically bright red and have a syrupy texture. They are often used as a drinks garnish and are more widely available in grocery stores.  

Luxardo cherries, on the other hand, are darker in color and have a firmer texture, with a rich and natural cherry flavor. They are a premium option and are often used in craft cocktails and high-end desserts. 

Here are a few of our favorite cocktails that are typically garnished with cherries:  

7. Sour Cherry French 75

We love a well-balanced sour cocktail, and the Sour Cherry French 75 is just delicious. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Bulldog Gin

• 0.75 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.75 oz Sour cherry syrup

• 2 oz Prosecco

• Maraschino cherries or Lemon twist (optional garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Bulldog Gin, lemon juice, and sour cherry syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a Champagne flute

4. Top with Prosecco

5. Garnish with Maraschino cherries or a lemon twist

8. Bikini Martini

Tropical coconut, juicy pineapple, and a touch of grenadine make this Martini a sweet island escape in a glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Coconut rum

• 4 oz Pineapple juice

• 2 oz SKYY Vodka (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Grenadine

• Maraschino cherries

• Pineapple wedge

• Ice

Method

1. Add coconut rum, pineapple juice, and SKYY Vodka to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake well and strain into martini glasses

3. Slowly pour grenadine into each glass to create a layered effect

4. Garnish with Maraschino cherries and a pineapple wedge

9. French Manhattan

The French Manhattan is a dapper spin-off of the original, containing Bisquit & Dubouché Cognac (opens in new window) and Grand Marnier, along with Cinzano Vermouth Rosso and a few dashes of bitters. Garnished with maraschino cherries, it’s a captivating drink that never disappoints. 

10. Three Dots and a Dash

If you know your Morse code, you’ll get that three dots and a dash stand for V for Victory. This tropical cocktail was created by the main man of Tiki cocktails, Donn Beach, during WWII and features a classic rum, syrup, and juice combo.  

Ingredients

• 2 oz Trois Rivières Martinique rum (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Allspice dram

• 0.5 oz Honey syrup

• 0.5 oz Lime juice

• 0.5 oz Orange juice

• 1 dash Bitters

• 3 Maraschino cherries or blueberries (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add rum, allspice dram, honey syrup, lime juice, orange juice, and bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake well until chilled

3. Strain into a serving glass over fresh ice

4. Garnish by skewering three Maraschino cherries (or blueberries) on a stick to represent the Morse code “three dots and a dash”

More inspo: 20 Fruity Cocktail Recipes to Try this Summer 

11. Pink Lady

This much-loved Valentine’s Day cocktail is ideal for a romantic occasion. The Pink Lady is graceful, smooth, and quietly bold. It carries a silky charm with a touch of whimsy, striking the balance between playful allure and timeless sophistication. Think of it as a cocktail that feels both vintage chic and delightfully modern.

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12. Sake Manhattan

This delightful spinoff of the classic Manhattan calls for a warming ginger liqueur, which gives it a wonderfully spicy undertone. 

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Whiskey

• 1 oz Sake

• 0.5 oz Ginger liqueur

• 2 dashes Bitters

• Luxardo cherries

• Ice

Method

1. Add whiskey, sake, ginger liqueur, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir well until chilled

3. Strain into a cocktail glass

4. Garnish with Luxardo cherries and serve

BONUS! The cherry mocktail everyone’s talking about on TikTok

Of course, we couldn’t list the top cherry cocktails to try at home without including the viral Sleepy Girl Cherry Mocktail everyone’s going crazy for on TikTok.  

13. Cherry Juice Mocktail

Tart cherry juice is said to contain melatonin, a natural sleep hormone. Researchers also hypothesize that magnesium may relax the central nervous system and help you feel sleepier. This is what inspired the bedtime drink.  

Ingredients

• 3 oz Tart cherry juice

• 1 tbsp Magnesium powder

• Lemon-lime soda or beverage (to top)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice

2. Pour in tart cherry juice

3. Add magnesium powder and stir well

4. Top with lemon-lime soda

5. Serve immediately

There you have it! Our list of tasty and delightful cherry cocktails! Have fun making your favourite and tag us in your pictures on the ‘Gram (opens in new window). For more inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, remember to sign up for our newsletter.