Buzz
Valentine’s Day isn’t my strong suit—or maybe it is. My boyfriend and I exchange gifts only when something perfect comes along, like a vintage pornography poster, but we never stress about it. Some years, we cook spaghetti or sous vide lobster tails. We almost always watch a horror movie and rarely step outside.
I don’t believe Valentine’s Day is just for couples. While my partner isn’t a fan of dining out, I have plenty of friends who are. This February 14, I’ll be treating a friend to my first tasting menu in over two years. I’ll likely bring them a gift, probably some homemade boozy cocktail cherries.
Cocktail cherries are a versatile addition to drinks, coming in various forms: bright red maraschino cherries (like those on sundaes), rich Luxardo cherries, or alcohol-infused cherries. While all are delightful, the simplest to make at home are the boozy ones—cherries soaked in liquor.
While you can soak cherries in straight spirits, they benefit from a touch of sugar, making liqueurs a superior option. Liqueurs are already sweetened, spiced, and sometimes even bittered. Simply pour your preferred liqueur over the cherries and let them chill in the fridge overnight. That’s all it takes.
Cherries aren’t in season right now, but that’s no problem—just grab a bag of frozen sweet cherries. Once you have your cherries, choose a liqueur. Cherry liqueur is an excellent and unsurprisingly effective choice. Personally, I love Maraschino for its subtle sweetness and almond undertones. (I ran out and used a local Kirsch-style liqueur, which also worked well.) For a more complex flavor, opt for something herbal and bitter, such as Campari, Amaro Nonino, or Bigalett China-China.
After gathering your cherries and liqueur, place the cherries in a jar and pour the liqueur over them. Seal the jar, give it a gentle shake, and let it sit at room temperature until the cherries thaw. Then, refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavors to meld—the cherries will absorb the liqueur, and vice versa. Finally, tie a bow around the jar and gift it to someone special.
