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Homemade Maraschino Cherries: Easy, Delicious, Fun!

Lehman's
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I decided to try out a recipe for homemade Maraschino cherries for my summer beverage and dessert enjoyment. Who knew it was so easy – and soooo delicious?

I’m not a fan of supermarket Maraschinos, but love having them with lemonade and soda. The store bought variety are brined until they are colorless and put in red colored syrup. Originally, Maraschino cherries were brined in grenadine syrup. I wanted to make some ‘real’ Maraschino cherries, so I started some research.

Homemade Maraschino Cherries: Easy, Delicious, Fun!

Lehman's

I decided to try out a recipe for homemade Maraschino cherries for my summer beverage and dessert enjoyment. Who knew it was so easy – and soooo delicious?I’m not a fan of supermarket Maraschinos, but love having them with lemonade and soda. The s...

Ingredients

2.5 pounds ripe cherries, pitted

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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

In a large stockpot, combine the syrup ingredients except the star anise and orange peel.
Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Add orange peel, one whole piece of star anise and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, lower heat to simmering and add pitted cherries.
Simmer, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes.
Pour mixture into a large bowl and let it cool.
Strain the syrup (save it!) and transfer the cherries into three clean pint jars.
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.)
Close the jars with standard lids and bands and refrigerate.