When it comes to cocktails, cherries are almost always on top. Whether they’re making tropical cocktails, candy-sweet shots, or stiff mixed drinks, bartenders often add a maraschino or brandied cherry on top of the beverage.

There are many types of cherry products frequently found in mixology. Yes, garnishing drinks with cherries is common, but many cocktails contain cherry syrups, liqueurs, or cherry-infused spirits like vodka. Cherry juice also makes for a great mixer.

We adore cherries because they are both tart and sweet, covering a wide flavor profile even in small doses. When we add this fruit flavor to a cocktail, it rounds out the bitterness of the base alcohol with its tangy but sweet flavor.

If you came to this article wondering what drinks you could garnish with a cherry, our answer is any cocktail you’d like. It may not be traditional to put a cherry on top of your margarita, but don’t let that stop you. In fact, go one step further and mix in some cherry juice for a sweeter drink.

But if you’re looking for cherry cocktail ideas, we’re here to guide you through the basics. You can thank us later when these cocktail recipes become the most ordered at your home bar

1. Cherry sour

 A cherry sour is a cocktail with both a cherry garnish and cherry juice, so this drink is for maraschino aficionados only. To make a batch for your next get together, mix up 2 cups of pitted maraschino or dark cherries, the juice of 2 lemons and 3 limes, one-half cup of grapefruit juice, one-quarter cup of maraschino cherry juice, one-half cup of bourbon, one-quarter cup of brandy, and one-half cup simple syrup in a large pitcher. Stir gently to combine, and then pour the drink between four glasses over ice. Would it be too much to garnish this drink with some speared maraschinos? We’ll let you be the judge. 

If you want the drink to last longer, top it off with some club soda or a lemon-lime soda like 7Up or Sprite. These will add some volume without interfering with the flavor.

2. Cherry blossom

This bourbon cherry cocktail is as delicate as a blossom, which isn’t an accolade normally given to whiskey drinks. To make, muddle 4 pitted sweet cherries at the bottom of the cocktail shaker using a muddler or the top end of a long wooden spoon. The idea is just to release a bit of the juice from the fruit. Then, shake up the cherries with a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice, three-quarter ounces of simple syrup, and 1 ½ ounces of bourbon whiskey with plenty of ice. Strain the drink into a tall cocktail glass over ice cubes and top up with soda water. Garnish the beverage with a line of speared maraschino cherries.

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3. Cherry mule

Look no further for your new favorite cherry cocktail with vodka. This fruity take on a classic uses cherry-flavored vodka like Absolut Cherry in place of gin, vodka, or other popular mule base liquors. To make, fill a copper mule mug with ice, and add in 1 ½ ounces of cherry vodka and a big squeeze of fresh lime juice. Top off with ginger beer, and garnish with a maraschino cherry. Now, sit back and enjoy your “cheery mule.”

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4. Old fashioned

An old fashioned is one of the world’s most famous cocktails with maraschino cherries. To prepare your own version of this classic cocktail, start by muddling an orange slice at the bottom of a rocks glass. Use the muddler from your bar kit or a spoon to press down repeatedly on the citrus, releasing its juices. Then, add a big ice cube to the glass and a single maraschino cherry. Pour in two drops of bitters and add in 2-3 ounces of whiskey on top. Stir gently to combine the flavors before enjoying.

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5. Cherry bomb

A cherry bomb sounds dangerous, and we won’t tell you otherwise. This sweet cocktail with cherry liqueur packs an unexpected punch with both cachaça and cherry liqueur. Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane that is every bit as strong as rum or vodka, and cherry liquor’s alcohol content isn’t far behind. To mix up this drink, add 1 ½ ounces of cachaça, 1 ounce of cherry liqueur, and one-half ounce of freshly-squeezed lime juice to a shaker with ice. After shaking, strain the liquid into a tall cocktail glass like a highball or Collins glass and top up with chilled club soda. Now you can put that cherry on top, and a lime wheel wouldn’t hurt either.

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6. Cherry limeade

This isn’t your mother’s limeade. This version of the drink is a vodka cocktail with a tart cherry juice kick that will make you pucker in a good way. Make this drink for you and a friend by adding 3 ounces of vodka, 3 ounces of black cherry juice, 1 ½ ounces of lime juice, and a couple dashes of sweetened lime concentrate (like Rose’s) to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. After shaking, strain the drink into two mason jars over ice cubes and top up with club soda. If you’re truly cherry crazy, you can use a cherry-flavored seltzer. Depending on where you live, you might even be able to get local, fresh cherry juice. Float maraschino cherries and lime wedges on the top of the drink as a garnish and serve with a paper straw. This drink is perfect for a hot summer afternoon.

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Whatever drink you decide to make, one thing is certain: you’re going to need more maraschino cherries. Order your fruit, mixers, and liquor from Gopuff, and your doorbell will ring in just a few minutes. Clean out your cocktail glasses and invite over a friend. You’re going to want to share your delicious drinks with someone.