Cherry liqueurs have been around since the 16th century and have been enjoyed by everyone from kings to peasants. The best cherry brandy liqueurs are rich with fruity tart flavours of cherry, the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
The unique rich taste of this fruit is ideal for making a cherry liqueur that is versatile as an ingredient for cocktails and can be enjoyed neat and in cooking too!
Most on this delicious list are full-on cherry brandy liqueurs; plus, I have also included a couple of cherry liqueurs that use a clear alcohol base. All are packed with incredible cherry flavours.
Best Cherry Brandy Liqueurs
The best cherry brandy liqueurs are packed with tart, fruity flavours and delicious sweetness. Here are 7 cherry liqueurs to discover.
1. De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: De Kuyper
- ABV: 24% (48 Proof)
- Country: Netherlands
- Colour: Burgundy
- Base: Brandy
Review
The De Kuyper distillery opened in 1752 in Schiedam, Holland. The distillery began producing Genever, a Dutch-styled Gin, and by the turn of the 19th century, they started making liqueurs.
De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur is made with dark red marasca cherry extracts and fine kirsch. A selection of exotic spices is added to enhance the flavour. The slight almond flavour of De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur is created by crushing cherry kernels and adding them to the spirit.
On the Nose
Sweet cherry aromas with hints of cinnamon and marzipan.
On The Palate
Smooth red cherry upfront with cinnamon and almond notes soon emerging. A sweet and lingering cherry/marzipan finish with a delicious tartness.
Best Served
Enjoy De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur in a cherry margarita or a vibrant cherry fizz.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Heering Cherry Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Heering
- ABV: 24% (48 Proof)
- Country: Netherlands
- Colour: Mahogany
- Base: Brandy
Review
Peter F Heering was a young businessman trading goods in the trading port of Copenhagen in 1818. He took the cherry liqueur recipe he received from his former boss’s wife and perfected it into Heering Cherry Liqueur.
Following the original recipe from 1818, Steven’s cherries are crushed with their stones to create a slight almond flavour. Herbs and spices are added to the crushed cherries and blended with fine brandy.
This cherry liqueur is then left to age in oak casks for a minimum duration of three years.
On The nose
Juicy and ripe cherries with a smooth toffee sweetness.
On The Palate
Sweet stewed cherries on the opening become richer and more decadent mid-palate. The finish is sweet and smooth, with a faint almond bite.
Best Served
Heering Cherry Liqueur is best served in an Old Fashioned with a cherry twist. Also, pair it with soda and lemon garnish for something simpler.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Gabriel Boudier Guignolet De Dijon Black Cherry Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Gabriel Boudier
- ABV: 18% (36 Proof)
- Country: France
- Colour: Dark Red
- Base: Brandy
Review
Founded in Dijon, Burgundy, in 1874, Gabriel Boudier Guignolet is currently run by the Battault family. The family still uses the original recipes for their liqueur and spirits. The brand became renowned when it was the first to offer a Saffron Gin to the world.
De Dijon Black Cherry Liqueur is made from four varieties of wild black cherries from France. The cherries are crushed and steeped in French brandy with natural spices. De Dijon Black Cherry Liqueur is bottled at 18% ABV and is excellent when combined with gin or quality vodka.
On The Nose
A bouquet of ripe cherry on the nose with a slightly fruity acidity hovering in the background.
On The Palate
Syrupy sweet cherry on the palate with a slight sour bite mid-palate. The finish reveals dark cherry tones and hints of almond.
Best Served
Gabriel Boudier Guignolet De Dijon Black Cherry Liqueur is best suited for a Cherry Blossom cocktail or simply with ice and soda.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Maraska Cherry Brandy
Overview
- Distiller: Maraska
- ABV: 31% (62 Proof)
- Country: Croatia
- Colour: Rich Cherry Red
- Base: Brandy
Review
Maraska is based in Zadar, Croatia. They began distilling cherry brandy liqueur in 1779 when the local peasants would bring them home-grown marasca sour cherries.
Ripe sour Marasca and Dalmatian cherries are smashed and left to ferment. The mash is then strained to remove the solids, and the cherry juice is blended with a locally produced brandy and left to age in wood casks for two years.
On The Nose
A distinct ripe marasca cherry on the nose with sweet floral notes
On The Palate
Incredibly rich cherry tart flavours with a smooth velvety feel. Mid-palate is balanced between sweet and sour, leading to a feisty cherry finish.
Best Served
Maraska Cherry Brandy is best enjoyed neat to savour the intense cherry flavours, or consider adding it to a cherry gin soda with a slice of lemon.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Leopold Bros. Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Leopold Bros.
- ABV: 20% (40 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Burgundy
- Base: Fine Spirit
Review
The Leopold distillery was started by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold in 2007. The distillery is based in Denver, Colorado, and is the first distillery in 50 years to use a three-chamber still.
Leopold’s Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur is made from rare Montmorency cherries. These cherries offer a perfect balance between tartness and sweetness.
The cherries are mashed and fermented to extract all the flavours. The cherry juice is blended with Leopold Bros fine spirit and bottled at 20% ABV.
On The Nose
Ripe cherry jam on the nose with sweet raspberry
On The Palate
A slightly sweet cherry syrup on the palate with cherry tartness continues to the flavoursome tart cherry finish.
Best Served
Leopold’s Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur is best served in a Singapore Sling or Manhattan cocktail. Add it to a Gin and tonic for a cherry surprise.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Luxardo Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Luxardo
- ABV: 30% (60 Proof)
- Country: Italy
- Colour: Burgundy
- Base: Fine Spirit
Review
The Luxardo Distillery was established in 1821 and is still controlled by the founding family. The distillery is steeped in tradition and uses its traditional copper pot stills, ageing vats, and cherries from their local orchards.
Marasca cherries are harvested and juiced, and allowed to ferment naturally. A neutral spirit is added to the fermented cherry juice to stop the fermenting process.
Sweet cherry juice is blended with fine spirit to create the correct flavour. The cherry liqueur is left to mature in oak vats until it’s thick and syrupy for a delicious fruit liqueur.
On The Nose
Fresh cherry juice on the nose with notes of mild spice and fresh almonds.
On The Palate
Intensely sweet and syrupy cherries on the palate provide a subtle marzipan kick mid-palate. Delicious cherry tartness ensures a well-balanced finish.
Best Served
Luxardo Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur is best served on its own or in a Morlacco Fizz. Try this cherry liqueur on ice cream for a taste bud extravaganza.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Volare Cherry Brandy Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Volare
- ABV: 22% (44 Proof)
- Country: Italy
- Colour: Deep Red
- Base: Brandy
Review
In a small town in the Veneto Pre-alps in 1868, a pharmacist, Giovan Battista Rossi, began concocting elixirs for the tourist passing by his shop. 100 years later, the Dal Toso family took over and continued with Rossi’s recipes and perfected them into the liqueurs we love today.
Volare Cherry Brandy Liqueur is made by infusing and distilling Italian cherries. The cherry distillate is then blended with an Italian base brandy. The cherry stones are left in during fermentation to allow a distinct almond flavour to infuse.
On The Nose
An intense cherry fragrance on the palate, with the almond coming through at the end.
On The Palate
Ripe black cherry and sweet raspberry on the palate with an almond bite balancing the sweetness.
Best Served
Volare Cherry Brandy Liqueur is best served in a Flying High cocktail or with soda and lime.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Ingrid’s Top Pick
De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur
My top pick is the delicious De Kuyper Cherry Brandy Liqueur because it is everything a cherry brandy should be.
Smooth red cherry flavours with cinnamon and almond notes mid-palate. I love the lingering cherry/marzipan finish with that vibrant tartness. Fantastic.
Conclusion
The best cherry brandy liqueurs can be enjoyed neat or in your favourite cocktail that needs a tart cherry lift. Adding cherry brandy liqueur to a gin or vodka will enhance the spirit’s flavour and provide a rich, tart fruitiness that’s delightful!
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
