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Boozy Cherry Bombs

Boozy cherry bombs are alcohol-soaked cherries soaked in bourbon, amaretto, or rum with a cherry-juice syrup and a sugar-dusted finish. After a 24-hour chill, the cherries turn deep jewel-toned and glisten for easy party appetizer bites on cocktail picks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
soaking 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 70
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherries
  • 24 maraschino or fresh dark cherries with stems
Soaking syrup
  • 1 cup bourbon, amaretto, or dark rum
  • 0.5 cup cherry juice or grenadine
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Finishing
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar for dusting (optional)
  • 24 cocktail picks for serving

Method
 

Prep the cherries
  1. Drain maraschino cherries or pit fresh cherries, keeping stems intact. Set aside so the cherries stay whole and ready for soaking.
Make the alcohol syrup
  1. Combine bourbon, cherry juice, sugar, and vanilla extract in a jar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Stop when the syrup looks clear and evenly mixed.
Soak
  1. Add the cherries to the jar, making sure they are fully submerged in the liquid. Press gently only if needed so every cherry is covered.
  2. Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours—48 hours gives the best flavor. The cherries should look plump and glistening when you check them.
Serve
  1. Remove cherries with a slotted spoon, letting excess syrup drip back into the jar. Keep stems facing up for the best presentation.
  2. Roll the cherries lightly in granulated sugar if desired to create a sweet, sparkly coating. Use just enough sugar to make a visible dusting.
  3. Thread each cherry onto a cocktail pick and arrange on a serving tray. Serve chilled for deep jewel-toned color and maximum flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: fully submerge the cherries so they absorb color and flavor evenly; if they float, gently press them down once before sealing. Store covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days; the cherries also freeze for up to 1 month, though sugar dusting may soften after thawing. For a non-alcohol option, replace the bourbon/amaretto/rum with cherry-flavored syrup or alcohol-free vanilla cherry syrup and soak for the same time.