Old Forester Cocktail Cherries 10OZ

Old Forester Cocktail Cherries 10OZ are amarena-style cocktail cherries preserved in a bold syrup infused with Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon, sold in a 10-ounce jar. Produced by Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville, Kentucky, these garnish cherries pair bright, sweet fruit with the warm spice character of one of America's oldest bourbon brands.

Quick Facts: Type: Bourbon-Infused Cocktail Cherries  |  Size: 10 oz  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky  |  Producer: Bourbon Barrel Foods  |  Bourbon: Old Forester (Brown-Forman)

Production & Heritage

The cherries themselves are grown and harvested in the Pacific Northwest before being shipped to Louisville, where Bourbon Barrel Foods preserves them in a rich syrup made with Old Forester Bourbon. Old Forester, produced by Brown-Forman at its Shively, Kentucky distillery, uses a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley — lending the syrup a recognizable warmth and spice backbone. The ingredient list is straightforward: cherries, sugar, water, fruit and vegetable concentrates for color, citric acid, Old Forester Bourbon, and natural flavors.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet dark cherry hits first, followed by a subtle wave of vanilla and oak from the bourbon-infused syrup. There is a faint boozy warmth underneath, though the fruit remains dominant.

Taste: The initial bite delivers a pronounced, bright cherry sweetness that reads noticeably sweeter and lighter than a traditional Luxardo maraschino cherry. Mid-palate, a pleasant cinnamon spice emerges — a contribution from the bourbon syrup — along with hints of caramel and vanilla. The fruit is plump and firm, with a satisfying texture.

Finish: The sweetness lingers with a gentle bourbon warmth that doesn't overpower. A mild fruit acidity from the citric acid provides a clean, balanced close.

How to Use Old Forester Cherries

These cherries are designed as a premium cocktail garnish and work best dropped directly into stirred or shaken drinks. Their bourbon-forward syrup also doubles as a cocktail sweetener — a small spoonful adds depth to any recipe calling for simple syrup.

• Old Fashioned: The classic pairing — the cherry's cinnamon-bourbon sweetness mirrors the drink's flavor profile almost exactly.
• Manhattan: A single cherry at the bottom of the glass complements the vermouth and rye, adding a hit of dark-fruit richness.
• Whiskey Sour: The bright acidity of the cherry balances the citrus, and the bourbon syrup reinforces the base spirit.

Best For

• Stocking a serious home bar with premium garnishes
• Gifting alongside a bottle of Old Forester bourbon
• Upgrading classic whiskey cocktails at dinner parties
• Adding a finishing touch to charcuterie boards and desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Old Forester Cocktail Cherries taste like? They deliver a sweet, bright cherry flavor with a distinct cinnamon warmth from the bourbon-infused syrup, finishing cleaner and slightly brighter than a traditional Italian maraschino cherry.

How do Old Forester Cherries compare to Luxardo cherries? Old Forester Cherries are noticeably sweeter and brighter than Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, which tend to be darker, denser, and more bitter-almond in character. The bourbon-infused syrup also introduces a cinnamon-spice note that Luxardo's marasca cherry syrup does not have.

Are Old Forester Cherries good for cocktails? They are specifically designed as a cocktail garnish and excel in bourbon-based drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, where the bourbon syrup reinforces the base spirit rather than competing with it.

Where are Old Forester Cherries made? The cherries are grown in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and preserved by Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville, Kentucky, using Old Forester Bourbon produced at Brown-Forman's Shively, Kentucky distillery.

What foods pair well with Old Forester Cherries? They complement aged cheddar and other sharp cheeses, work well spooned over vanilla ice cream or cheesecake, pair naturally with dark chocolate, and can be added to charcuterie boards alongside cured meats and nuts for a sweet counterpoint.

What sizes do Old Forester Cherries come in? The standard retail size is a 10-ounce jar.

Are Old Forester Cherries worth the price? They position as a premium cocktail cherry, sitting between mass-market maraschino cherries and ultra-premium options like Luxardo in both price and quality — a practical upgrade for anyone serious about cocktail presentation and flavor.

Why Old Forester Cherries?

What separates these from generic bar cherries is the specific bourbon used in the syrup. Old Forester's high-rye mashbill brings genuine spice and warmth rather than generic sweetness, and the Pacific Northwest fruit provides a firm, plump texture that holds up in a drink. For anyone already building Old Fashioneds or Manhattans with Old Forester bourbon, the flavor continuity is a clear advantage. They represent a straightforward upgrade from neon-red grocery store cherries without the higher price tag of imported Italian alternatives.