Spiced Brandied Cherries Recipe

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/13/21
Brandied Cherries

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Cool: 60 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 1 quart
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
82 Calories
0g Fat
14g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 82
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 43mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Summer is the season for fresh cherries and making brandied cherries allows you to enjoy their sweet taste year-round. This is an excellent way to preserve the fresh fruit while creating a boozy little treat. Brandied cherries are excellent as ice cream and dessert toppings, or you can skewer them for a cocktail garnish. As an extra bonus, you can add a splash of the spiced brandy syrup to Manhattans, metropolitans, and other cocktails.

Pitting the cherries is the most time-consuming part of this brandied cherry recipe, but it's all rather easy. Once the cherries are prepared, you'll make a spiced syrup, add brandy, then let the cherries steep until everything cools down. There are even storage options: Can the cherries if you prefer or just stick the jar in the fridge.

There are many ways to vary the flavor of brandied cherries. You can include just a few of the recipe's spices or add others in any combination you like. During the peak of cherry season, make up a few variations in separate jars, label each with your custom recipe, then enjoy discovering which combinations you like most.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. Rinse the cherries, then remove the pits using a cherry pitter or alternative objects such as a toothpick, chopstick, or unbent paper clip. Work over a bowl to catch the cherry juice along with the pits, placing the pitted cherries in a separate bowl.

    Pitting Fresh Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios 

  3. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the brown and white sugars and stir until completely dissolved.

    Making Syrup for Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the vanilla extract, cardamom, cloves, allspice, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

    Making Spiced Syrup for Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Remove the pan from the heat and discard the spices. Stir in the brandy and add the pitted cherries along with any juice. Let cool to room temperature.

    Making Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cherries to a 1-quart jar or 2 (1-pint) jars.

    Canning Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  7. Pour the liquid over the cherries, covering them completely while leaving 1/2-inch of headspace in the jar. Secure the lid.

    Canning Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  8. Place the jar in the refrigerator. If you prefer to use a traditional canning method, process the jar in boiling water for 10 minutes, allow it to cool, then store in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry. Either way, let the brandied cherries rest for six weeks before using to allow the flavor to develop.

    Homemade Brandied Cherries
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • Pitting cherries is a messy affair, especially at the height of the cherry season when they're super juicy. Wear an apron or clothing you don't mind getting splashed with cherry juice. Have a damp cloth handy to wipe up the counter and to clean your hands.
  • If you want to leave the stem intact, use the tip of a vegetable peeler or paper clip to carefully pit the cherry from the bottom. It's preferable to trim the stem to half its size.
  • Strain the cherry juice from the bowl of pits with a fine-mesh strainer held over the pitted cherries.
  • Whether stored in the refrigerator or canned using the water bath, the unopened jar of cherries should keep for up to a year (until next cherry season).
  • Once opened, keep the jar of brandied cherries chilled in the refrigerator and enjoy them within a week. Use multiple smaller jars if you won't consume a full quart of cherries within that time.

Recipe Variations

  • Use 1 cup of white sugar alone or switch to raw sugar.
  • Use a flavored brandy that will complement the cherries. Apple brandies, such as calvados or applejack, are a good choice or try a cherry brandy like Germany's kirschwasser.
  • Add a 2-inch piece of lemon zest to the spiced syrup.
  • Add juniper berries, mace, or nutmeg.
  • Use a whole vanilla bean instead of extract, adding it to the syrup then including it in the jar. Maximize the flavor by cutting a slit down one side of the pod.

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