Best Italian Cocktail Cherries for an Old Fashioned

The best cherry for an Old Fashioned is the Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherry. Made from Italian marasca cherries candied in real marasca syrup — with no artificial colors, no preservatives, and no shortcuts — Luxardo has been the gold standard among professional bartenders since 1821. If you take your cocktails seriously, it is the only cherry worth putting in your glass.

Why the Cherry Matters in an Old Fashioned

A classic Old Fashioned is a study in restraint. You have whiskey, a sugar cube, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, an orange peel, and a cherry. That is it. With so few components, every single one carries weight — and the cherry is not just decoration.

The garnish in an Old Fashioned does real work. The orange peel contributes aromatic citrus oils. The bitters add complexity and spice. The cherry is the final flavor note: a subtle, jammy sweetness that rounds out the drink at the very end. When you reach the bottom of your glass and bite into the cherry, it should taste like an extension of the cocktail — not a shock.

A cheap, neon-red maraschino cherry — the kind that comes in a plastic jar at the grocery store — ruins that moment entirely. Its artificial sweetness is cloying, its color is synthetic, and its flavor is closer to cherry cough syrup than to actual fruit. You spent good money on quality bourbon. Do not let a bad cherry be the last thing you taste.

A quality Italian cherry, on the other hand, elevates the whole experience. It signals craftsmanship. It completes the drink the way it was meant to be completed. For any cocktail where the cherry is a featured garnish, the quality of the fruit is not a minor detail — it is the difference between a good drink and a great one.

Luxardo vs. Cheap Maraschino Cherries

Not all maraschino cherries are created equal. The word "maraschino" originally referred to a style of cherry preserved in marasca cherry liqueur — a centuries-old Italian tradition. What ended up on American grocery store shelves is something else entirely.

Here is what separates a Luxardo cherry from the standard grocery store jar:

Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries are made from marasca cherries grown in the Veneto region of Italy. The fruit is slow-cooked in marasca cherry syrup, which develops a deep, wine-dark color and a complex bittersweet flavor. The syrup itself is thick, rich, and intensely aromatic. There are no artificial dyes, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no preservatives. The recipe has not changed in 200 years. Learn more about the full history at our deep-dive on Luxardo's history.

Standard grocery store maraschinos start as bleached, pitted cherries soaked in sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride to remove all natural color and flavor. They are then re-dyed with Red 40 and soaked in a high-fructose corn syrup solution. The result is a bright-red, uniformly sweet cherry with no real fruit character whatsoever.

The difference is not subtle. Once you have used a Luxardo cherry in a cocktail, going back is not an option.

How to Use Luxardo Cherries in Cocktails

The Old Fashioned is the most iconic home for a Luxardo cherry, but it belongs in any stirred, spirit-forward cocktail. Here are the drinks where it truly shines — plus a classic recipe to get you started.

Classic Old Fashioned with Luxardo Cherry

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube (or 1 tsp simple syrup)
• 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1–2 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
• 1 large orange peel
• Ice (one large cube preferred)

Method: Place the sugar cube in a rocks glass and saturate with bitters. Add a splash of water and muddle until dissolved. Add ice, then pour in the whiskey. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds. Express the orange peel over the glass, run it around the rim, and drop it in. Add the Luxardo cherry (or two) to the bottom of the glass.

Other Cocktails That Deserve a Luxardo Cherry

Manhattan: Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters — stirred, served up. The cherry goes in last, skewered or dropped directly into the coupe. The Luxardo syrup that clings to the cherry mingles beautifully with the vermouth.

Rob Roy: The Scotch whisky version of the Manhattan. The smoky, peaty notes of a good Scotch pair surprisingly well with the jammy depth of a Luxardo cherry.

Whiskey Sour: Shaken with lemon juice and simple syrup, sometimes with egg white for foam. Drop a Luxardo cherry on top of the foam — it sinks slowly and looks stunning.

Amaretto Sour: A sweeter, almond-forward sour that is transformed by a quality cherry garnish. The bittersweet marasca flavor cuts through the sweetness of the amaretto perfectly.

Beyond Cocktails

A jar of Luxardo cherries does not have to live exclusively behind the bar. Their intense flavor and beautiful color make them a versatile ingredient in the kitchen — and an impressive one.

Ice cream topping: Spoon Luxardo cherries and their syrup over good vanilla ice cream. The thick, wine-dark syrup acts like a sauce. It is dramatically better than any sundae topping you can buy in a squeeze bottle.

Cheesecake garnish: A single Luxardo cherry placed on top of a slice of New York-style cheesecake is a restaurant-level finishing touch. The syrup can also be drizzled as a sauce around the plate.

Charcuterie and cheese boards: The bittersweet depth of Luxardo cherries pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and cured meats. Place a small bowl of them on your next Italian-style cheese board alongside prosciutto, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and dark chocolate. Browse our candy and chocolate collection for other board-worthy additions.

Straight from the jar: There is no shame in it. The cherries are exceptional on their own, and the syrup is something people have been known to drink with a spoon. No judgment here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Luxardo cherries go in an Old Fashioned?

One or two cherries is traditional. Place them at the bottom of the glass after stirring, so they rest beneath the ice. Some bartenders prefer to skewer them on a cocktail pick with the orange peel — either approach is correct. Two cherries is the move if you want something to enjoy after finishing the drink.

Should I use the Luxardo syrup in the cocktail?

It is optional, but worth trying. A small spoonful — about ½ teaspoon — of the thick marasca syrup from the jar can replace part of the simple syrup in a recipe. It adds a subtle fruit sweetness and a whisper of almond. In a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour it works particularly well. Start small, as the syrup is intensely flavored and a little goes a long way.

How long do Luxardo cherries last after opening?

Up to 3 years after opening, provided they are refrigerated and the cherries remain fully submerged in their syrup. The syrup itself acts as a natural preservative. If the level drops, you can top it up with a small amount of simple syrup to keep everything covered. There are no artificial preservatives in the jar, so refrigeration after opening is essential.

Ready to upgrade your cocktail game? Shop Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries at Amalfi Market — the same iconic jar that has been on the back bar at every serious cocktail program since 1821. One jar, dozens of uses, and a noticeable difference in every drink you make.