Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (2024)

Infusing fresh cherries with a sweetened lemon and bourbon syrup makes these bourbon cherries pop with flavor. Add these boozy cherries to your favorite co*cktails, spoon over ice cream for a decadent treat, or give to friends as gifts.

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Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (1)

My longtime readers know that I love cherry season. When I see cherries appear in my local grocery store or farmers’ market, I simply can’t resist picking up yet another bag or carton.

Sweet cherries have found their way into several recipes on this website, including Cherry BBQ Sauce, Asian style Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Cherry Jam. Here, I am sharing how to preserve the cherry goodness into jars of bourbon cherries!

These boozy bourbon cherries are a great substitute for the artificially dyed maraschino cherries. Use the sweet bourbon cherry syrup to flavor drinks and garnish with the cherries. They are delicious in baked goods, and are delicious on top of a hot fudge sundae. A jar of homemade bourbon cherries makes a great hostess gift too!

Tips for Making Bourbon Cherries

Bourbon cherries are made by combining fresh cherries with a sweetened bourbon syrup, packing into canning jars, and processing in a water bath canner. Let the fruit infuse with flavor for at least a month before opening the jar.Here are some tips for making bourbon cherries:

Any cherry variety can be used for this recipe

My favorites are the sweet dark cherries, but tart cherries will also sweeten slightly when infused in the flavored syrup. Select firm and ripe cherries without bruises or blemishes. You will need about 6 pounds of cherries for this recipe.

Preparing the cherries is the most time consuming part of this recipe. Get yourself a cherry pitter to make it easier.

Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (2)

Use inexpensive bourbon

You can use any brand of bourbon for this recipe, but I don’t recommend using an expensive one because it is just a small element of flavor.

Let the flavors infuse

After making, allow at least 4-weeks for the flavor to infuse into the cherries.

How to Make and Can Bourbon Cherries

If you are new to canning or haven’t canned in a while, it may be helpful to review this article on water bath canning at the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.

This recipe is adapted from the “Brandied Cherries” recipe in the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. We have swapped bourbon for the brandy. A more detailed and printable recipe can be found at the bottom of this article, but these are the general steps to make and preserve bourbon cherries.

Be careful! Cherry juice stains. Be sure to wear old clothing and wipe up any messes quickly so it doesn’t set.

Step 1: Gather your kitchen equipment

Collect the following canning and kitchen equipment:

Step 2: Prepare the cherries

Weigh your cherries with the kitchen scale. You will need about 6 pounds to fill 6 half-pint jars. Wash the cherries well under clean running water. Pull out the stems, and pit the cherries with a cherry pitter. Place the pitted cherries in a large bowl, and set aside while you prepare the canning equipment.

Step 3: Prepare the canning gear

Wash the jars, lids, bands and canning tools in warm, soapy water and rinse well. Set the lids, bands, and tools aside to air-dry until you are ready to use them.

Place the canning rack into the water bath canner, set the jars upright in the canner, and add water to cover the jars. Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep hot until you are ready to fill them.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions for preparing the lids. Pre-heating lids is no longer necessary before using, but it is still safe to warm the lids if you want to. Just add them to the canner when you heat your jars.

Step 4: Make the bourbon cherry syrup

Combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Add the cherries, reduce the heat to a simmer (180˚F), and cook about 5 minutes, or until the cherries soften slightly and begin to release liquid.

Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the bourbon.

Step 5: Can the cherries

Spread a kitchen towel on the counter. Use the jar lifter to remove a hot jar from the canner, drain, and place on the towel. Keep the remaining jars in the canner, so they stay warm.

Use your canning funnel and slotted spoon to fill the jar with cherries. Don’t squish the cherries, but you can pack them in firmly. They will soften and shrink slightly as they infuse into the bourbon syrup. Leave enough wiggle room to allow your bubble popper to run through the jar to release air bubbles.

Ladle hot syrup over the cherries maintaining a 1/2-inch headspace. Make sure all the cherries are submerged beneath the liquid. Run the bubble popper through the jar to release air bubbles, adjusting headspace again if necessary.

Wipe the rim of the jar with a damp towel to remove residue. Center a lid on the top, place the band over the lid, and screw it on until fingertip tight. Place the jar back into the canner, and repeat with the rest of the jars.

Adjust the water level so it is covering the jars by two inches, bring the canner to a boil, and process in a boiling water canner for the times indicated in the recipe below. Let the jars cool completely, and then test the seals, label, date, and store in a cool, dark location. Yields about 6 pint jars depending on the size of your cherries.

These cherries get better with age. Let the flavor infuse into the cherries for at least 4 weeks before opening a jar, and then store the jar in the refrigerator.

Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (3)

Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (4)

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Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe

Infusing fresh cherries with a sweetened lemon and bourbon syrup makes these bourbon cherries pop with flavor. Add these boozy cherries to your favorite co*cktails, spoon over ice cream for a decadent treat, or give to friends as gifts.

Course Pantry

Cuisine American

Keyword bourbon cherries

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Processing Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 192 servings

Calories 40kcal

Author Grow a Good Life

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds sweet cherries
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed or bottled juice
  • 1 1/4 cups bourbon

Instructions

Prepare the Cherries

  • Rinse, stem, and pit the cherries. Set them aside while you prepare the canning equipment and make the bourbon syrup.

Prepare the Canning Equipment

  • Wash your jars, lids, screw bands, and canning tools in hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all suds. Set aside to air dry on a clean kitchen towel.

  • Place the canning rack into water bath canner, place jars in the canner, and add water to cover. Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep hot until you are ready to fill them.

Make the Syrup

  • Add the sugar, water, and lemon juice to a medium pot. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring to dissolve the sugar.

  • Add the cherries, reduce the heat to a simmer (180˚F), and cook until the cherries are warm, about 5 minutes.

  • Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove. Add the bourbon, stir to combine, and cover to pot to keep it warm.

Can the Bourbon Cherries

  • Spread a towel on the counter. Use your jar lifter to remove a warm jar from canner, drain the water into the canner, and place on the towel. Keep the rest of the jars in the canner so they stay hot.

  • Using the canning ladle and funnel to fill the jars with the cherries and syrup. Maintain a 1/2-inch headspace.

  • Run the bubble popper through the jar to release air bubbles, and clean the rims of the jars with a damp towel.

  • Place a lid on the jar, gasket side down, and screw on the metal band until fingertip tight.

  • Place the jar back into the canner with the jar lifter, and repeat with the remaining jars.

  • Once all the jars are in canner, adjust the water level to two inches above the tops. If adding water, pour the water in between the jars and not directly onto them.

  • Cover the canner and bring to boil over high heat. Once water boils vigorously, process pints for 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. Adjust processing time for your altitude if necessary (see notes below).

  • When processing time is complete, turn off the heat and allow the canner to cool down and settle for about 5 minutes.

  • Lay a dry towel on the counter. Remove the cover by tilting lid away from you so that steam does not burn your face.

  • Use the jar lifter to remove the jars from canner and place on the towel. Keep upright, and don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24-hours to cool.

  • After the jars have cooled for at least 12 hours, check to be sure lids have sealed by pushing on the center of the lid. The lid should not pop up. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Refrigerate and use within several months.

  • Let the flavor infuse into the cherries for at least 4 weeks before opening a jar. Once opened, store the jar in the refrigerator, and use within a year. Yields about 6 pint jars.

Notes

This recipe is adapted from the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, "Brandied Cherries."

All times are at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. Adjustments must be made for altitudes greater than 1,000 ft: Processing time for pints at altitudes of 1,001 - 6,000 ft. is 15 minutes, and above 6,001 feet is 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 3cherries | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.4g | Protein: 0.2g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Calcium: 4mg

You May Also Like:

  • Chokecherry Jelly
  • Spiced Apple Jelly
  • Cherry BBQ Sauce

Good planning is key to a successful vegetable garden

Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden.

Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (6)

Bourbon Cherries Canning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cherries firm when canning? ›

A syrup does help to firm cherries and preserve their color. However, cherries can be safely canned in water, apple juice or white grape juice. Hot-pack cherries by putting washed and drained cherries in boiling syrup, juice or water and bring to a boil.

How long do you water bath canning cherries? ›

For unpitted cherries, add just enough water to prevent sticking. When packing jars, if insufficient juice has accumulated, add boiling water to cover cherries. Heat Process: 500 ml jars – 15 min; 1 L jars – 20 min. Pack hot cherries into a hot jar to within 3/4 inch (2 cm) of top rim.

Do bourbon cherries need to be refrigerated? ›

According to Tracey Brigman, EdD, associate director of the National Center for Home Food Preservation, an unopened jar of co*cktail cherries can last for up to two years. “Once opened, they can keep for about 6 to 12 months, as long as they are continuously refrigerated during that time,” Brigman continues.

What are co*cktail cherries soaked in? ›

In their modern form, the cherries are first preserved in a brine solution usually containing sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride to bleach the fruit, then soaked in a suspension of food coloring (common red food dye is FD&C Red 40), sugar syrup, and other components.

Do you have to pit cherries to can them? ›

I am happy to eliminate the time-consuming step of pitting them prior to canning. However, when I prepare to can cherry pie filling, I pit the cherries with a cherry pitter, but with this recipe, you don't have to; it's a personal preference.

How do you clean cherries for canning? ›

Procedure: Stem and wash cherries. Remove pits if desired. If pitted, place cherries in water containing ascorbic acid to prevent stem-end discoloration. If canned unpitted, prick skins on opposite sides with a clean needle to prevent splitting.

How do you keep cherries fresh in a Mason jar? ›

The cherries that have stems, I will put them into a half gallon or gallon sized mason jar with a paper towel at the bottom. The mason jar of cherries should be stored in the fridge and they will last for about three weeks. The bowl of cherries should also be placed in the fridge, but be sure to eat those first!

How do you increase the shelf life of cherries? ›

The best way to increase the longevity of fresh cherries is to make sure they stay as dry as possible. This means that washing fresh cherries before storing them can accelerate the spoiling process. Instead, wait to wash them with cold water until right before you eat them or use them in a recipe.

How full should a water bath be for canning? ›

Ensure water covers jars by 1-2 inches. 7. Place lid on water bath canner and bring water to a rolling boil.

Which cherries are best for canning? ›

Royal Ann and Rainer are popular light sweet cherries. Sweet cherries are great eaten fresh, canned, dried and brandied. Popular varieties of sour cherries are Montmorency, North Star and Meteor. Sour cherries are used in pies, cobblers, jam, jellies, preserves, and sauces and also dried.

Should water be boiling for water bath canning? ›

Bring to a rolling boil, cover the canner and boil for 10 minutes if using 4-, 8- or 12-ounce jars or for 15 minutes if using 16-ounce jars. (Check individual preserve recipes for more specific processing times.) Let cool for 10 minutes before removing the jars from the pot.

What to do with Woodford Reserve cherries? ›

Muddle, garnish and top your favorite co*cktail with Woodford Reserve® Bourbon Cherries. Woodford Reserve® Cherries are rich with a hint of Woodford Reserve® Bourbon. Enjoy a classic Manhattan co*cktail or an Old Fashioned co*cktail with these delicious cherries!

Can I leave cherries out overnight? ›

Cherries should only be left out at room temperature if being eaten within the same day. Bruised or soft cherries can still be processed and cooked. Discard cherries if mold appears or if the cherries have an off smell or appearance.

Do cherries last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Keep 'em cold! Cherries will spoil quickly if left out at room temperature, so you should pop them in the refrigerator immediately upon getting home from the grocery store. Once in the fridge, cherries can last for about a week.

Which liquor is best with cherries? ›

Gin left just enough hint of cherry to make us long for more of the fruit's essence, but the sharp alcohol bite dissuaded us from sampling further. The whiskey and tequila cherries transformed into straight up edible booze. Even the vodka cherries were overcome by the flavor of the traditionally neutral spirit.

How long to soak cherries in water? ›

Use a ratio of one part baking soda to one hundred parts tap water, or roughly half a teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water. Soak your cherries in this solution for fifteen minutes. Remove the cherries, transfer them to a colander, and rinse them in clean water for a minute.

What makes Luxardo cherries so expensive? ›

They are pricey because Luxardo uses marasca cherries, a particular type of cherry that's only grown in northeastern Italy. It's an uncommon variety and is therefore more expensive. Luxardo also uses high-quality ingredients and an age-old candying process, which pushes up the cost.

How do you preserve cherries in a mason jar? ›

Add 1/2 cup hot water, juice, or syrup to each jar. Fill jars with drained cherries, shaking them down gently as filled. Add more hot liquid, leaving 1/2" headspace. Wipe the sealing edge of the jar with a clean, damp paper towel.

Do cherries last longer in mason jars? ›

By putting the fruits & veggies in sealed jars straight into the fridge. They last about twice as long as they would in the plastic, BUT they won't last that long… because you'll eat them before they have a chance to spoil.

Are canned cherries as good as fresh? ›

Tinned and frozen fruit and veg can be just as healthy as fresh and roughly the same quantity (80g) counts as a portion towards your five a day.

Do I need to add lemon juice when canning cherries? ›

Hot Pack Canning

To prevent your cherries from browning you can store them in a bowl with water that has lemon juice added to it (optional) until you are ready to proceed to the next step! Add 1 ½ cups of sugar to a pot with 5 cups of water.

Should you soak cherries in vinegar? ›

Good for: Smaller fruits like berries or cherries. Soaking them in a vinegar solution is an easier way to make sure they're completely clean. How to do it: Pour the vinegar solution into a large bowl or storage container. Add the fruit and make sure that all pieces are submerged in the vinegar solution.

How long do home canned cherries last? ›

As long as the can is in good shape, the contents should be safe to eat, although the taste, texture and nutritional value of the food can diminish over time. Home canned foods should be used within 1 year.

How do you harden cherries? ›

Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Fruits can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.

How do you keep cherries from molding? ›

Cherries require coolness and dryness. Getting your cherries in the fridge—and quickly—will automatically keep them fresh longer. If you skip washing and lay them out flat (rather than pile them on top of each other in a bag or container), you'll see even better results.

How do you stop fruit from floating in canning? ›

There are some things we can do to avoid or reduce float in canned fruit.
  1. Use firm, ripe fruit. ...
  2. Use a hot pack method. ...
  3. Use light or medium syrup. ...
  4. Pack fruit as closely as possible without crushing it.
  5. Debubble jars. ...
  6. Make sure the liquid covers the food completely before applying the lid.
Aug 25, 2021

Why are my cherries drying up? ›

Infrequent, shallow watering can deprive the fruit of much needed water, causing the fruit to dry up and drop. On the other hand, make sure your cherry tree isn't sitting in boggy, overly wet soil. Too much water is just as bad as not enough water.

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