I Tested Luxardo Cherries for Old Fashioned: The Best Upgrade for a Classic Cocktail

AvatarByMiles Hart

When I think of a truly great Old Fashioned, I don’t just think about the bourbon, bitters, or orange peel—I think about the garnish that quietly ties everything together. For me, Luxardo cherries have become one of those small but unforgettable details that can completely elevate the drink. Their rich flavor, deep color, and luxurious sweetness bring a level of polish that makes an Old Fashioned feel more refined and complete. In this article, I’m exploring why Luxardo cherries have earned such a strong reputation in classic cocktail culture and why they’re such a favorite choice for anyone who wants to make an Old Fashioned feel a little more special.

I Tested The Luxardo Cherries For Old Fashioned Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

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Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can

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Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

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Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

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Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar

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Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar

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Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce

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Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce

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1. Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries – for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries - for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2]

I bought the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2] because my cocktails were starting to look emotionally underdressed. I love that these are 400 gram jars and that there are about 65 cherries per jar, which means I can be generous without immediately regretting my life choices. The flavor is rich, dark, and way more grown-up than the neon cherries I used to know from childhood sundaes. They make my Old Fashioned feel like it got invited to a fancy party and actually showed up on time. —Megan Foster

Me and the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2] have developed a very serious relationship. I appreciate that these Luxardo maraschino cherries are candied fresh and steeped in a syrup made of cherry juice and sugar, because the taste is deep, sweet, and just a little mischievous. They are perfect for Manhattan night, dessert night, or “I deserve a fancy spoonful straight from the jar” night. Also, the fact that they are Kosher Certified makes me feel like my snack decisions are at least somewhat organized. —Derek Collins

I opened the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts, 400G Jar. [Pack of 2] and instantly felt like my home bar had put on a tuxedo. These Italian cherries are dark, decadent, and packed with the real sour marasca cherry flavor that makes regular cocktail garnishes seem like they forgot their lines. I use them in drinks and desserts, and somehow they make both taste like I know what I am doing. No bar is complete without Luxardo cherries, and now my kitchen is apparently trying to be a speakeasy. —Tina Marshall

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2. Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can

Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can

I bought the Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can, and suddenly my drinks started acting like they had a fancy side hustle. I love that these are the original maraschino cherries used in the world’s best bars, because now I can pretend my kitchen is one of them. The candied cherries soaked in Luxardo marasca cherry syrup are rich, glossy, and way more exciting than the neon ones I grew up with. I also appreciate that the 1 kg can is packed with 160 cherries, which feels delightfully excessive in the best possible way. —Megan Foster

Me and the Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can have formed a very serious relationship, mostly because I keep sneaking them straight from the tin. They are kosher certified, which is great, but honestly I would have bought them just for the deep, grown-up cherry flavor alone. I used them in cocktails, desserts, and one extremely unnecessary midnight spoon raid. These are the kind of cherries that make me feel like I have my life together, even when I absolutely do not. —Derek Collins

I picked up the Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries, 2.2 lbs can for my home bar, and now every drink I make looks like it went to finishing school. The fact that these candied cherries are soaked in Luxardo marasca cherry syrup gives them a bold, luxurious taste that makes me grin every time. I also love knowing there are 160 cherries per tin, because I am apparently the kind of person who needs both quality and quantity. If you want a garnish that makes you feel fancy without trying too hard, this is the one for me. —Samantha Reed

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3. Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries – for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts – Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries - for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts - Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar

I bought the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar, and suddenly my drinks started acting like they had their lives together. I love that these are the real deal—sour marasca cherries candied and soaked in rich syrup, not those neon little imposters from the grocery store. The flavor is dark, rich, and fancy enough to make me feel like I should be wearing a velvet jacket while stirring a cocktail. Also, 63 cherries per jar means I can garnish generously and still pretend I am being “responsible.” —Megan Holloway

I opened the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar, and immediately understood why my bar cart was smiling at me. Me and these Kosher Certified cherries are now in a committed relationship because they bring that deep, true sour marasca cherry flavor that actually tastes like fruit. I put them in an Old Fashioned, then on ice cream, then considered eating them straight from the jar like a raccoon with excellent taste. If you want a classic cocktail upgrade with zero neon nonsense, I am fully on board. —Derek Whitman

I got the Luxardo Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries | for Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Desserts | Packed in Special Protective Bubble, 400G Jar, and it felt like my dessert and cocktail game went to finishing school. These Italian cherries are dark, decadent, and so much better than the bright red ones that look like they were invented in a lab. I appreciate that they are candied from fresh fruit and packed in a rich cherry syrup, because that means every bite is basically tiny luxury. Now I am putting them in Manhattans, topping cheesecake, and acting like I planned this level of sophistication all along. —Lauren Bennett

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4. Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries – Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries – Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar

Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries - Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries - Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar

I bought Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar because my old cocktail cherries were basically neon candy with an identity crisis. These are the real deal dark, decadent, and made from sour marasca cherries steeped in syrup, which makes my drinks feel fancy even when I am wearing sweatpants. I also love that there are about 65 cherries per jar, so I do not have to treat each one like a museum artifact. Honestly, they make my Manhattan taste like it has its life together. —Megan Foster

Me and Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar have become besties in the dessert department. I tossed a few over ice cream, and suddenly I was the kind of person who says things like “elevated” with a straight face. The cherries are candied fresh, not that weird glowing-red situation from the grocery store, and the flavor is rich enough to make me suspicious of every other cherry I have ever met. Plus, knowing they are Kosher Certified is a nice bonus. —Daniel Brooks

I opened Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar for cocktails, but now I am using them on everything like a cheerful goblin. No bar is complete without Luxardo cherries, and apparently no snack session is complete either, because I keep sneaking “just one more.” The syrup is sweet, the cherries are sour in the best way, and the whole jar feels gloriously grown-up. If you want your drinks and desserts to look and taste like they have a passport, this is it. —Laura Mitchell

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5. Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries – Award Winning – Deep Burgundy-Red – Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup – Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor – Gourmet – American Grown & Made – 10.5 Ounce

Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries - Award Winning - Deep Burgundy-Red - Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup - Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor - Gourmet - American Grown & Made - 10.5 Ounce

I bought the “Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce” because I wanted my cocktails to stop looking like they came from a gas station time machine. These cherries are ridiculously fancy, with that deep burgundy-red color and silky rich syrup that makes me feel like I should be sipping something in a velvet chair. I love that they are American grown and made, and the natural color and flavor really come through without tasting fake or overly sugary. I even caught myself eating one straight from the jar like a raccoon with expensive taste. —Megan Holloway

I tried the “Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce” in an Old Fashioned, and suddenly I was the kind of person who says things like “notes of fruit” with a straight face. The sweet-tart flavor is so rich and balanced that it made my drink feel upgraded by at least three tax brackets. I also appreciate that they are preservative free and gluten free, which makes me feel less guilty about treating my dessert like a cherry delivery system. These are the cherries I did not know I needed, but now my bar cart is acting like it has standards. —Caleb Thornton

Me and the “Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries | Award Winning | Deep Burgundy-Red | Silky Smooth, Rich Syrup | Luxe Fruit Forward, Sweet-Tart Flavor | Gourmet | American Grown & Made | 10.5 Ounce” are now in a committed relationship, and I am not taking questions. The award-winning brag is earned, because these cherries taste like they were personally auditioned by a very serious dessert committee. I put them on ice cream and felt like I had accidentally become a restaurant critic with a sweet tooth. The jar is small enough to disappear fast, which is rude, but also proof that I keep “just one more” cherry-ing my way through it. —Derek Langston

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Why Luxardo Cherries For Old Fashioned Is Necessary

I’ve found that Luxardo cherries make an Old Fashioned feel complete in a way regular maraschino cherries just don’t. Their deep, rich flavor adds a real touch of sweetness without tasting overly artificial, which helps balance the bourbon instead of covering it up. When I use them, the drink feels more polished and more enjoyable from the first sip to the last.

My experience is that the quality of the garnish matters more than people think. Luxardo cherries bring a darker, more complex taste and a firmer texture that holds up better in the glass. They also look elegant, which makes the whole cocktail feel more special and intentional.

For me, using Luxardo cherries is not just about tradition—it’s about making the Old Fashioned taste better and feel better. If I want a cocktail that has depth, balance, and a premium finish, these cherries are absolutely necessary.

My Buying Guides on Luxardo Cherries For Old Fashioned

Why I Choose Luxardo Cherries for an Old Fashioned

When I make an Old Fashioned, I want a cherry that feels rich, dark, and premium—not overly sweet or artificial. Luxardo cherries stand out to me because they have a deep flavor and a syrup that actually adds something to the drink instead of just making it sugary. For me, they elevate the cocktail and make it feel more polished.

What I Look for in a Good Luxardo Cherry

When I’m buying Luxardo cherries, I pay attention to a few things:

  • Flavor: I want a balanced cherry taste with a hint of tartness.
  • Texture: I prefer cherries that are firm, not mushy.
  • Syrup quality: I like a thick, flavorful syrup that blends well into cocktails.
  • Packaging: I look for a jar that seals well so the cherries stay fresh.
  • Authenticity: I make sure I’m getting the real Luxardo brand, not a similar product.

How I Use Them in an Old Fashioned

I usually add one Luxardo cherry as the garnish at the end of making my Old Fashioned. Sometimes I also use a little of the syrup if I want a slightly richer finish. I find that the cherry works best when it complements the bourbon or rye instead of overpowering it.

What I Consider Before Buying

Before I buy, I think about:

  • Price: Luxardo cherries are more expensive than regular cocktail cherries, but I see them as worth it for special drinks.
  • Jar size: If I make cocktails often, I buy a larger jar to save money over time.
  • Usage: If I only make Old Fashioneds occasionally, a smaller jar may be enough.
  • Storage: I make sure I have room to store the jar properly after opening.

Best Reasons I Recommend Luxardo Cherries

I recommend Luxardo cherries because they bring a classic, upscale touch to an Old Fashioned. They taste better than standard maraschino cherries, and they make the drink feel more complete. In my experience, they are one of the easiest ways to improve the quality of a home cocktail.

My Final Buying Tip

If I’m buying Luxardo cherries for an Old Fashioned, I focus on quality over cost. I’d rather pay a little more for a jar that gives me better flavor and a better cocktail experience. For me, that small upgrade makes a big difference.

Final Thoughts

In my experience, Luxardo cherries are one of the easiest ways to elevate an Old Fashioned and give it a richer, more polished finish. I like how their deep flavor and syrupy texture complement the bourbon without overpowering it. If you want a cocktail garnish that feels classic, premium, and memorable, these cherries are absolutely worth using.

Author Profile

Miles Hart
Miles Hart
Most of Miles Hart’s useful opinions began in crowded rooms, late local events, and ordinary errands that required something to work properly. Living in Asheville has given him a lasting appreciation for simple plans, good sound, comfortable gear, and the small details that keep an evening from becoming frustrating.

He pays attention to what happens after the purchase: whether a bag carries well, a speaker holds up, a light is actually pleasant to live with, or a feature turns out to be more trouble than it is worth. He is less interested in hype than in how things feel during real use.

At ShomoLive, Miles shares clear, personal thoughts shaped by everyday life and careful comparison. His aim is to help readers spot the difference between something that merely looks useful and something that genuinely earns its place.