Most folks treat the cherry in an Old Fashioned like an annoying accessory — it comes with the drink whether you want it or not. That’s the wrong approach. The old fashion cherry you choose plays a huge role in whether your cocktail leans toward bitter chocolate, jammy fruit, or, well, something resembling cough syrup. It all depends on what you pick.

I’ve whipped up my share of these cocktails and have some strong feelings about it. I’ve seen guests unconsciously switch up their orders based on the cherry that lands in their glass. The cherry is a big deal. Let’s dig into what’s good for your drink, what to avoid, and how to whip up a solid option if you feel crafty.

Original Old Fashioned Ingredients

The cocktail definition from 1806 that many historians suggest as the Old Fashioned’s precursor only included whiskey, bitters, sugar, and water. No cherry in sight. The fruit made its way in later as American bar culture got fancier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly to sweeten things up and give drinkers something to nibble on at the bottom.

The bright red maraschino cherry — that bouncy, unnaturally colored thing you find in dive bars — has a curious backstory. During Prohibition, the U.S. fruit industry had surplus cherries and needed a new market since the cocktail scene had dried up. Processors started soaking cherries in calcium chloride, whitening them, then dyeing them red. FDR’s era streamlined that process, and it clung around for years. It doesn’t resemble the original Marasca cherry from Croatia at all.

So, if you’re looking strictly at history, the Old Fashioned technically needs no old fashion cherry. But let’s be real, the right cherry can elevate the drink.

Cherry Comparisons

Luxardo Maraschino cherries are the go-to upgrade most bartenders grab first. Grown in Italy’s Veneto region, these real Marasca cherries are preserved in their own syrup, with a sugar concentration around 50 to 55 Brix — like a lighter jam. A jar typically costs $20 to $25, which seems steep until you realize one jar lasts quite a while if you’re not going through them constantly. They add a dark, slightly bitter flavor with a hint of almond, making a bourbon-forward Old Fashioned feel more rounded without overwhelming it with sweetness.

Bordeaux cherries, also known as griottines, deserve more love outside professional bars. They’re soaked in kirsch (a dry cherry brandy), adding both fruitiness and a touch of booze. They’re less sweet than Luxardo and, from my experience, pair better with rye whiskey.

If you want to make bourbon-soaked cherries at home, plan for about 48 to 72 hours to cure them properly. Start with fresh or frozen dark sweet cherries, pack them in a jar with bourbon, a bit of sugar, and some orange peel, then let them sit. They’re less sweet than Luxardo and pack a noticeable boozy punch. Some folks love that, while others think it’s too raw.

If DIY isn’t your thing, check out Traverse City Whiskey Co. Their bourbon-soaked cherries run about $15 a jar and use real Michigan cherries. They’re excellent and often easier to find than Luxardo in parts of the Midwest.

As for the neon maraschino cherry? I’d skip it. It brings a fake sweetness and a strange chemical aftertaste that clashes with everything else. Plus, the syrup tends to bleed into the drink quickly, turning your Old Fashioned into something like a Shirley Temple.

Choosing or Making the Right Cherry

For most of us mixing Old Fashioneds at home, Luxardo is the way to go. Sure, $22 might seem high for a jar of cherries, but the flavor is solid, the shelf life is over a year when unopened, and you only need one cherry per drink, making a jar last longer than you’d think.

If you’re feeling crafty and want to make your own, keep it simple. Use dark sweet cherries, a decent mid-shelf bourbon, about a tablespoon of sugar per cup of cherries, and some orange peel strips. Mix everything cold, seal it up, and refrigerate for at least 48 hours. Longer is better, up to five days. After that, the cherries can get mushy, which alters the texture in a way I’m not super into.

The old fashion cherry you select should harmonize with the base spirit, not fight it. Rye whiskey pairs best with something drier. Bourbon usually can pull off Luxardo’s richness. A heavily peated Scotch Old Fashioned (yes, they’re a thing) works well with a Bordeaux cherry since it needs a fruity element without being too sweet. Match the cherry’s weight to the whiskey and you’re likely in good shape.

FAQs

What kind of cherry goes in an Old Fashioned?

Typically, a Luxardo Maraschino or a similar high-quality dark cherry works best. Neon maraschino cherries usually hurt the drink’s overall flavor.

Can you make Old Fashioned cherries at home?

Absolutely — just pack dark sweet cherries in bourbon with some sugar and orange peel, then refrigerate for 48 to 72 hours before using.

Are maraschino cherries the same as Luxardo cherries?

Nope. Neon maraschino cherries are bleached and dyed, while Luxardo cherries are real Marasca cherries in natural syrup, offering a totally different flavor and texture.