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Homemade Maraschino Cherries and Cherry Jam |
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are something special. They're a deep purple color, and the syrup they come in is way more flavorful than any other Maraschino cherry syrup I've ever tried. I don't really like EATING Maraschino cherries, so I don't exactly know if I LIKE eating the Luxardo cherries, but everyone else who's ever tried them swears they're like candy.
I tasted these ones you see pictured here. They are sour and boozy, and have the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors in them. I need to give some to others to try and tell me if they're really good.
All I know is that although the syrup is much lighter in color than the original Luxardo cherries, it tastes just as delicious in the Cherry Limeade beverage I usually enjoy it in.
If you enjoy reading details and variations on the recipe, please go to A Nerd Cooks where I found this recipe. The article is fascinating and informative.
Copycat Luxardo Maraschino Cherries and Syrup
--Adapted from A Nerd Cooks
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 pinches kosher salt
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
- 1 to 1.5 pounds sour cherries, pits and stems removed
Instructions:
- Have about 5 8-ounce mason jars cleaned and sterilized ready.
- In a large saucepan, add 1/2 cup sugar, water, salt, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg. Place saucepan over medium high heat and swirl or stir until sugar is melted.
- Add the cherries and liqueur. Stir. Bring mixture to a simmer.
- Ladle the cherries out of the syrup and into the waiting mason jars. Try not to include too much of the syrup at this point.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks. Add 1/2 cup sugar to the syrup, stir, and continue to cook to reduce the liquid to almost half.
- Pour syrup over cherries until syrup and cherries reach about 1/4 in from the rim of the jar.
- Screw the lids onto the jars, not super tight, but securely. Process the jars in boiling water for 3 minutes. Then carefully remove to a place to cool completely.
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These cherries are actually from a cherry tree in my yard. |
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I bought fresh spices for the occasion from our local All Spice in Des Moines, Iowa. |
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Sugar is all dissolved. Time for the cherries and liqueur. |
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Cherries swimming in Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur |
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I thought they looks an awful lot like grape tomatoes. |
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I'm mostly after the syrup here, so there's extra. |
Thanks for dropping some off at the shop! Really enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping a sample off at the shop! They were fab!
ReplyDelete