Cherry Old Fashioned

Name: Cherry Old Fashioned
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 oz Bourbon; 0.5 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur (or cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering); 0.5 oz Demerara syrup (or simple syrup / 1 sugar cube); 6 dash Angostura bitters; 6 pieces Large ice cubes; 4 pc Luxardo cherries (or brandied/maraschino cherries); 2 pc Orange peel (for express and garnish); 0.25 oz Optional: splash of water or club soda (if you prefer lighter)

A slightly fruit-forward twist on the timeless Old Fashioned, brightened with a hint of Luxardo maraschino (or your preferred cherry liqueur) and finished with Luxardo cherries and an expressed orange peel. Smooth, spirit-forward, and excellent as an after-dinner sip or whenever you want a classic with a cherry note.

0.0(0 reviews)

Prep: 5m · Cook: 0m · Total5 mins

DifficultyEasy

Serves2

AuthorJake

Ingredient Spotlight

Luxardo maraschino liqueur (or cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering)

A sweet, clear liqueur made from Marasca cherries by the Luxardo company (Italy); Cherry Heering is a different Danish cherry liqueur often suggested as an alternative. It has a concentrated cherry-fruit and slightly bittersweet, nutty-rosemary aroma and is used in classic cocktails for depth and cherry character. Find it at well‑stocked liquor stores or online; substitutes include other maraschino/ cherry liqueurs or a small amount of cherry syrup plus a dash of kirsch or brandy if unavailable.

Ingredient Spotlight

Demerara syrup (or simple syrup / 1 sugar cube)

A sugar syrup made from Demerara sugar (light brown, minimally refined cane sugar) that gives cocktails a deeper, toffee‑like caramel flavor compared with plain simple syrup. Originating from Demerara sugar (historically Guyana), it’s popular in tiki and classic cocktail recipes for its richer profile. You can buy Demerara sugar at grocery stores and make a 1:1 or 2:1 syrup at home; good substitutes are regular simple syrup, turbinado/brown sugar syrup, or just a sugar cube per the recipe.

Ingredient Spotlight

Luxardo cherries (or brandied/maraschino cherries)

Luxardo cherries are whole Marasca cherries preserved in a rich, dark syrup by the Italian Luxardo company; they’re darker, denser and less cloyingly sweet than bright red factory maraschinos. They impart a complex, slightly tart, jammy cherry flavor and are often used as upscale cocktail garnishes. Available in specialty food shops, liquor stores, and online, they can be swapped for other high‑quality brandied/cherry preserves or standard maraschino cherries in a pinch.

Jake's note

"This Cherry Old Fashioned is perfect for a cozy evening or to impress guests with minimal effort — the Luxardo touch elevates the drink without overpowering the bourbon. Home bartenders will love how small adjustments to the cherry liqueur or sweetener change the profile."

Cherry Old Fashioned

This Cherry Old Fashioned is a small, deliberate modification of the cocktail that taught the world how to sip slowly. Instead of turning the Old Fashioned into a fruit salad, this version uses a measured half ounce of Luxardo maraschino to introduce a saline, slightly bitter marasca cherry note that plays against the warm caramel and vanilla in the bourbon. Demerara syrup brings a toothsome, molasses-like weight that anchors the liqueur so the cocktail stays spirit-forward rather than syrupy, while Angostura bitters knit the elements together and the expressed orange oils give a bright, aromatic lift.

What makes this recipe work is discipline: big ice, slow stirring, and a restrained hand with the cherry liqueur. That restrained approach preserves the silkiness you expect from an Old Fashioned while letting a cherry character peek through without overwhelming the whiskey. It shines as an after-dinner sip or a nightcap when you want something contemplative — not too sweet, not showy, and precisely balanced. Swap the bourbon for rye if you like a spicier counterpoint, but keep the technique the same; the texture and dilution are where the cocktail earns its polish.

Plan your timing

Enter your target meal time:

6:50 pm–6:51 pm→Sweeten and bitters

6:51 pm–6:52 pm→Add spirits

6:52 pm–6:53 pm→Ice and stir to chill

6:53 pm–6:54 pm→Strain, garnish, and finish

6:54 pm–6:55 pm→Variations and tips

Ingredients

Yield

Instructions

Sweeten and bitters

In a mixing glass or the serving rocks glass, add the demerara syrup (or if using a sugar cube, place it in the glass and add a few dashes of bitters then muddle until dissolved). Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters per cocktail (6 dashes total for two) and stir briefly to combine the sugar and bitters.

For this step

0.5 ozDemerara syrup (or simple syrup / 1 sugar cube)
6 dashAngostura bitters

Add spirits

Pour in the bourbon and the Luxardo maraschino (or your chosen cherry liqueur). The maraschino liqueur adds a distinct cherry-amaro note — reduce or omit if you prefer a more spirit-forward drink.

For this step

4 ozBourbon
0.5 ozLuxardo maraschino liqueur (or cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering)

Ice and stir to chill

Add large ice cubes to the mixing glass, then stir steadily for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. Proper stirring brings the flavors together and gives the Old Fashioned its silky mouthfeel.

For this step

6 piecesLarge ice cubes

Strain, garnish, and finish

Strain the cocktail over a fresh large ice cube in a rocks glass. Express an orange peel over the drink to release oils, rub the rim with the peel, then drop it in along with a Luxardo cherry (one cherry per cocktail, two total). Add a splash of water or club soda only if you want a lighter version.

For this step

4 pcLuxardo cherries (or brandied/maraschino cherries)
2 pcOrange peel (for express and garnish)
0.25 ozOptional: splash of water or club soda (if you prefer lighter)

Variations and tips

For a sweeter, fruitier profile use a touch more maraschino liqueur; for a drier, more classic Old Fashioned reduce the liqueur and use a sugar cube or demerara only. Luxardo is the classic cherry choice — other cherry liqueurs (Cherry Heering, Amarena cherry syrups) and brand notes like Luxardo's richer, slightly bitter marasca cherry flavor are all excellent depending on how cherry-forward you want the cocktail.

Tips from the kitchen

Use large ice cubes

A single large cube chills and dilutes slowly, preserving texture and preventing overwatering; smaller cubes melt too fast and thin the flavors.

Measure the liqueur

Half an ounce of Luxardo gives a cherry suggestion without turning the drink into a dessert; reduce in 0.1 oz increments if you prefer drier.

Prefer demerara syrup

Demerara adds caramel and molasses notes that complement bourbon; if you use a sugar cube, muddle thoroughly to dissolve and avoid gritty texture.

Stir, do not shake

Stirring chills and dilutes gently and preserves clarity and mouthfeel; shaking aerates and makes the drink cloudier and less silky.

Express the orange oils

Hold the peel close to the surface and give it a firm snap over the glass to release oils, then rub the rim for an aromatic first sip.

Variations & substitutions

Rye Cherry Old Fashioned

Substitute rye whiskey for bourbon to add peppery spice that contrasts deliciously with the Luxardo; you may want to reduce the demerara slightly to keep it balanced.

Smoky Cherry Twist

Use a 60:40 blend of bourbon and a small measure of peated Scotch (about 0.25 oz per cocktail) for a whisper of smoke that plays well with the cherry bittersweetness.

Low-ABV Version

Replace half the bourbon with a nonalcoholic whiskey alternative and keep the Luxardo at 0.25 oz for aroma; serve slightly shorter and with a longer stir to integrate flavors.

Maple Cherry Old Fashioned

Swap demerara syrup for a 1:1 maple syrup for an autumnal depth that complements darker cherries and brown spirits.

Sparkling Cherry Highball

Build the recipe in a highball glass over ice, omit the large cube, top with club soda for a lighter drink, and garnish with an orange spiral for a refreshing, lower-intensity option.

Storage & make-ahead

This cocktail is best enjoyed immediately; ice and expressed citrus are integral to its profile. For pre-batching, mix bourbon, Luxardo, demerara syrup, and bitters in a sealed bottle and refrigerate for up to 48 hours, then stir over fresh ice and add an expressed orange peel before serving. Do not freeze, and avoid pre-mixing with ice or soda as that will over-dilute and flatten the drink.

What to serve with it

Serve in a heavy-bottomed rocks glass over a single large ice cube and offer a water carafe alongside to cleanse the palate between sips. Pair it with small, savory bites like aged cheddar, smoked almonds, or a dark chocolate square to echo the cocktail's bitter-sweet cherry and caramel notes. It also holds up next to richer desserts such as pecan tart or chocolate mousse for a harmonious after-dinner pairing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use maraschino cherries from a jar instead of Luxardo cherries?

Yes, but they differ: Luxardo cherries are denser, more bitter-sweet, and syrupy, while bright red maraschinos are sweeter and can taste artificial; choose Luxardo for authenticity or jarred cherries if you want sweeter, easier access.

What if I don't have demerara syrup?

You can use simple syrup or dissolve a sugar cube in bitters and a splash of water, but the texture and molasses notes from demerara are preferable with bourbon.

Why do you recommend stirring instead of shaking?

Stirring chills and dilutes the drink gently while keeping it clear and silky; shaking introduces air and rapid dilution, which is better for cocktails with juices or eggs but not for spirit-forward Old Fashioneds.

How can I make the cherry flavor more subtle?

Reduce the maraschino liqueur to 0.25 oz or omit it and simply add a Luxardo cherry and a bar spoon of its syrup to taste; you can also increase bitters to preserve complexity.

Is a splash of soda necessary?

No; the optional splash of water or club soda is purely for those who prefer a lighter mouthfeel. If you add soda, do so sparingly and serve immediately to maintain effervescence.

About the author

Jake

Hello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.

See all recipes by Jake →

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Ingredients

2 servings

Step 1: Sweeten and bitters

Demerara syrup (or simple syrup / 1 sugar cube)0.5 oz
Angostura bitters6 dash

Step 2: Add spirits

Bourbon4 oz
Luxardo maraschino liqueur (or cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering)0.5 oz

Step 3: Ice and stir to chill

Large ice cubes6 pieces

Step 4: Strain, garnish, and finish

Luxardo cherries (or brandied/maraschino cherries)4 pc
Orange peel (for express and garnish)2 pc
Optional: splash of water or club soda (if you prefer lighter)0.25 oz

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 1 cocktail (380g)

Calories501

Total Fat17g

Saturated Fat3.2g

Trans Fat0g

Polyunsaturated Fat8.5g

Monounsaturated Fat3.2g

Total Carbohydrates48.3g

Dietary Fiber2.3g

Total Sugars29.5g

Protein38.9g

Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.

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