Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Homemade Maraschino Cherries (Yields 3 pints)

Skip the candy-red store-bought cherries and make your own sweet, delicious maraschino cherries!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2.5 pounds ripe cherries, pitted

Grenadine Syrup

  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 cup of pomegranate juice (Pom brand, the easiest to find)
  • 4 juiced lemons
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • star anise (whole)
  • orange peel

Instructions

  1. In a large stockpot, combine the syrup ingredients except the star anise and orange peel.
  2. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  3. Add orange peel, one whole piece of star anise and bring to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, lower heat to simmering and add pitted cherries.
  5. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes.
  6. Pour mixture into a large bowl and let it cool.
  7. Strain the syrup (save it!) and transfer the cherries into three clean pint jars.
  8. Pour the syrup over the cherries until the jars are very close to full. (If you have leftover syrup, pour it into its own jar and refrigerate. It is a delicious addition to soda, especially Coke.)
  9. Close the jars with standard lids and bands and refrigerate.
  • Author: Karen Johnson