Chocolate-Dipped Spiked Cherries: The Ultimate Boozy Dessert & Cocktail Treat for Any Party
Forget the days when cherries were merely a decorative garnish for your drinks. With this incredible recipe for spiked cherries, you unlock a world where dessert and a delightful cocktail merge into one irresistible, bite-sized treat! These boozy, chocolate-covered delights are not just a simple snack; they’re an experience, perfect for elevating any gathering, from casual get-togethers to festive holiday celebrations.
Why These Spiked Cherries Are Your Next Go-To Party Treat
These magnificent spiked cherries strike the perfect balance between a delectable dessert and a spirited cocktail. They are incredibly simple to prepare, yet impressive enough to be the star of any party. Whether you call them boozy cherries, drunken cherries, or simply spiked cherries, these alcohol-infused delights are a guaranteed hit and offer a fun, unique twist on traditional entertaining.
Effortless Preparation for Maximum Impact
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its minimal active preparation time. While the cherries do require an overnight soak (or at least 6-8 hours) to fully absorb the alcohol, the hands-on work is surprisingly quick and straightforward. This makes them an ideal make-ahead treat, allowing you to focus on other party preparations on the day of your event. The simple steps ensure even novice home cooks can create these impressive confections with ease.
Unleash Your Creativity with Endless Alcohol Options
The true magic of these boozy cherries lies in their adaptability. You’re not confined to just one type of alcohol. From the warming spice of Fireball cinnamon whiskey (a personal favorite) to the smooth sweetness of vanilla vodka, or even the classic notes of rum, plain vodka, brandy, champagne, or bourbon, the choice is yours! Each spirit imparts a distinct flavor profile, allowing you to customize your spiked cherries to suit different tastes or themes. Imagine using a cherry vodka for an extra fruity punch, or a dark rum for a more sophisticated, rich flavor. The possibilities are truly endless, making each batch a unique culinary adventure. Just remember to avoid creamy liqueurs, as they might not soak well and could affect the texture and shelf life.
The Perfect Dual-Purpose Indulgence
These aren’t just cherries; they’re miniature flavor bombs that deliver both a sweet treat and a subtle kick. They are perfect on their own as a playful dessert or can be used to garnish other cocktails, adding an extra layer of decadence and surprise. For instance, vanilla vodka-infused cherries would be an absolutely incredible addition to pineapple upside down cake shots, elevating the experience with their boozy sweetness. This dual functionality means less effort for you, as they cover both the dessert and drink categories!
Essential Ingredients for Your Boozy Cherry Creation
Crafting these delightful spiked cherries requires just a few key ingredients. The full list with precise measurements is available in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post. However, let’s dive into some detail about each component and the exciting possibilities for customization.
Ingredient Spotlight & Customization Tips
Choosing Your Cherries
For this recipe, we primarily use maraschino cherries. Their bright color and sweet, slightly tart flavor provide a wonderful base for soaking up spirits. It’s often helpful to purchase two jars, as some maraschino cherries might lose their stems during packaging or transport. Stems make the dipping process much easier, but if you end up with some stemless cherries, a toothpick can be a handy substitute for handling them. While fresh cherries can also be “spiked,” they require a different preparation method (often involving pitting and sometimes poaching) and have a shorter shelf life, making maraschino cherries the ideal choice for this simple, make-ahead recipe.
Selecting Your Alcohol
The alcohol choice is where you can truly personalize your spiked cherries! As mentioned, Fireball cinnamon whiskey delivers a unique spicy kick, perfect for colder months or themed parties. Vanilla vodka (as demonstrated in our video) offers a smooth, sweet, and incredibly versatile option that pairs well with almost any chocolate. Other fantastic choices include:
- Rum (Light or Dark): For a classic, tropical twist.
- Plain Vodka: A neutral base that allows the cherry and chocolate flavors to shine.
- Brandy: Adds a sophisticated, fruity depth.
- Bourbon: For a warm, oaky, and slightly smoky flavor.
- Cherry Liqueur/Vodka: To intensify the cherry flavor even further.
Experimentation is encouraged! However, it’s wise to avoid creamy liqueurs like Bailey’s or Kahlua. These can affect the color and texture of the cherries, potentially leading to an unpleasant result or even spoilage if left soaking for an extended period.
The Perfect Chocolate Coating
When it comes to the chocolate, your options are wide open, depending on your preference! Whether you opt for white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate, each will provide a delicious contrast to the boozy cherry. You can use:
- Chocolate chips: Easily melted and widely available.
- Baking chocolate bars: Offer a rich, deep flavor.
- Candy melts (chocolate wafers): These are fantastic for ease of use as they melt smoothly and set quickly without needing tempering. They also come in a variety of colors, allowing for even more customization.
- Almond bark: Another excellent, easy-to-melt option that creates a smooth, glossy coating.
For best results, especially if using actual chocolate (not candy melts), consider using a double boiler or melting in short bursts in the microwave to prevent burning and ensure a smooth consistency.
Adding Festive Sprinkles
Sprinkles add a wonderful visual appeal and a touch of extra sweetness and texture. This is another area for creative expression. Choose colors and shapes that match your party theme or holiday. From classic rainbow sprinkles to festive red and green, or elegant gold and silver, sprinkles make these spiked cherries truly pop!
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Perfect Spiked Cherries
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Drain the Cherries: Begin by carefully pouring out the juice from your jar of maraschino cherries. You can save this vibrant juice to use later as grenadine in other cocktails, minimizing waste and adding value. Keep the cherries right in their original jar for the next step.
- Infuse with Alcohol: Fill the cherry jar with your chosen alcohol. Ensure the cherries are fully submerged. Place the jar in the refrigerator and allow them to soak for a minimum of 6-8 hours, or ideally, overnight. The longer they soak, the more potent and flavorful they will become.
- Prepare for Dipping: Once infused, remove the cherries from the jar. Lay them out on several layers of paper towels and let them air dry while you gather and prepare your dipping ingredients. This crucial step helps ensure the chocolate adheres properly.
- Set Up Your Workspace: Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper. This will provide a non-stick surface for your dipped cherries to dry on.
- Melt Chocolate & Prepare Sprinkles: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your chosen chocolate coating in 25-second increments, stirring well after each burst, until it’s completely smooth and fluid. Be careful not to overheat it. Pour your sprinkles into a separate shallow bowl, ready for dipping.
- Ensure Dryness: Before dipping, gently pat any remaining moisture off the cherries with a paper towel. Excess moisture is the enemy of perfectly coated chocolate!
- Dip and Decorate: Holding a cherry by its stem (or with a toothpick if stemless), dip it into the melted candy coating, ensuring it’s fully or partially covered. Immediately after, dip the chocolate-coated cherry halfway into the sprinkles, gently pressing to adhere them.
- Allow to Dry: Place the freshly dipped cherries onto your prepared parchment paper. Allow them to dry completely at room temperature or, for faster setting, place them in the refrigerator for a short period.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Spiked Cherries
For the best results, allow your cherries to soak for a minimum of 6-8 hours, or ideally, overnight, in the refrigerator. This extended period ensures the cherries fully absorb the alcohol, becoming deliciously infused. Keep in mind that the longer they soak, the stronger the alcoholic kick and flavor will be. While I haven’t tested soaking them for more than 4 days, alcohol acts as a preservative, so they can certainly last longer. However, after a few days, the cherries will have absorbed their maximum capacity of alcohol, so additional soaking time won’t significantly increase their strength.
To maintain their freshness and prevent the chocolate from becoming sticky or soft, store your chocolate-covered spiked cherries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for 2-3 days. While these cherries can certainly be enjoyed at room temperature (and sitting out for a few hours at a party is fine), refrigeration is recommended for advanced preparation or storing leftovers.
Absolutely! The initial soaking of the cherries in alcohol can be done several days in advance, as the alcohol acts as a preservative. However, for the freshest and best-looking results, I recommend coating them in chocolate and sprinkles either the day of your event or the night before. This prevents the chocolate from “sweating” in the refrigerator, which can sometimes happen with temperature fluctuations and humidity, affecting its appearance.
The key to successful chocolate adhesion is ensuring your cherries are completely dry before dipping. Any excess moisture on the surface of the cherry will cause the melted chocolate to slip right off, resulting in a frustrating mess. After removing the cherries from their alcohol bath, place them on a plate or baking sheet lined with several layers of paper towels. Gently pat them dry, then let them air dry for a bit while you prepare your other ingredients. This simple step will prevent any issues with the chocolate coating.
These spiked cherries can indeed be quite potent, especially if you’ve opted for a full overnight soak in high-proof alcohol. If you prefer a milder taste or a less intense alcoholic kick, there’s a simple adjustment you can make. Instead of filling the cherry jar entirely with alcohol, use a 50/50 mixture of your chosen spirit and the original maraschino cherry juice (or fresh fruit juice). This will dilute the alcohol content while still imparting a lovely flavor, making them more approachable for a wider audience.
No worries! While stems make dipping easier, they’re not essential. If your cherries are stemless, simply insert a toothpick into each cherry before dipping. This will give you a handle to hold them while you coat them in chocolate and sprinkles. Once the chocolate is set, you can easily remove the toothpicks.
While the recipe specifically calls for maraschino cherries due to their sweet preservation and consistent texture, you can experiment with fresh cherries. However, using fresh cherries would require pitting them first. You’d also want to ensure they are very dry before soaking and dipping. Keep in mind that fresh cherries might not absorb the alcohol in the same way, and their texture will be different. Maraschino cherries offer a more reliable and consistent result for this particular recipe.
Creative Ways to Serve Your Spiked Cherries
These spiked cherries are incredibly versatile and can be served in numerous exciting ways, making them perfect for any occasion:
- Holiday Centerpiece: Their customizable nature makes them ideal for holidays. Dip them in white chocolate and use red, white, and blue sprinkles for the 4th of July, or festive red and green for Christmas. They make a beautiful and delicious addition to any holiday dessert platter.
- Cocktail Garnish: Elevate your favorite cocktails by using a spiked cherry as a garnish. Imagine a Fireball-infused cherry topping a whiskey sour, or a vanilla vodka cherry gracing a creamy martini.
- Dessert Topping: Add a boozy twist to classic desserts. Place a few spiked cherries on top of ice cream sundaes, chocolate cake, cupcakes, or even a rich cheesecake for an unexpected burst of flavor.
- Mini Dessert Shots: Arrange them artfully on a small platter or a cupcake stand, allowing guests to grab and enjoy them as a sophisticated, bite-sized dessert shot.
Don’t forget the leftover cherry juice! The original maraschino cherry juice can be used as grenadine in various cocktail recipes, and the alcohol-infused cherry juice (if you choose to save it) can add a delightful boozy cherry flavor to other drinks, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Explore More Delicious Cocktail and Shot Recipes
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail
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- Blue Hawaiian Mai Tai
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- Butterscotch Milkshake Cocktail
- Ice Cream Cone Rum Chata Shots
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot
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Spiked Cherries
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 10 oz maraschino cherries
- 4 oz fireball whisky OR alcohol of choice
- 1 cup white candy coating
- ¼ cup sprinkles of choice
Before You Begin
- *I ended up purchasing two jars of maraschino cherries for this recipe instead of 1 – 10 oz jar. If you’re lucky, all your cherries will have stems and you may not need to do so. But to be safe, it wouldn’t hurt to grab two in case. Otherwise, you can use a toothpick for the cherries that have lost stems.
- These cherries can be quite strong for some. If you would rather them be a little more mild in taste, I would suggest filling the cherry jar with half alcohol and half maraschino cherry juice instead of soaking them entirely in alcohol.
- Allow your cherries to soak at a minimum 6-8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. You want the cherries to soak up as much of that alcohol as possible. Do note that the longer you let them soak, the stronger they will be. I have not tested soaking them for longer than 4 days, however, you can certainly do so as they will only soak up the alcohol to an extent (plus, alcohol works as a preservative).
- Store chocolate-covered spiked cherries in an airtight container kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. These cherries can be enjoyed at room temperature as well, allowing them to sit at room temperature for a few hours will be fine, but if you prepped them in advance or are saving leftovers, I would suggest refrigerating them.
- You can soak the cherries in advance, however, I would only recommend coating them in chocolate and sprinkles either the day of the event or the night before. This way the chocolate doesn’t sweat too much in the fridge.
- It’s important that your cherries are dry before dipping them in chocolate. Any excessive moisture will cause the chocolate to slip right off. When removing the cherries from the jar, place them on a paper towel-lined plate and gently pat them dry. Allow them to sit while you prep your ingredients and you shouldn’t have a problem with the chocolate slipping off.
Instructions
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Pour out the juice from the maraschino cherries (you can save it to use as grenadine), keeping the cherries in the jar.
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Fill up the cherry jar with your alcohol of choice. Soak at minimum overnight in the refrigerator.
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Remove the cherries from the jar and let air dry on paper towels as you prepare your ingredients.
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Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 25-second bursts until completely melted. Pour the sprinkles into a shallow bowl.
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Pat the cherries dry with paper towel if they are too wet before proceeding.
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Dip the cherries into the melted candy coating and then dip halfway into the sprinkles.
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Set the dipped cherries on your parchment paper and allow to dry.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Nov 17, 2018 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips to provide the most comprehensive guide to making these delicious spiked cherries.