Cherry drink alcohol refers to any alcoholic beverage that contains cherry flavoring or juice. Cherries contain a unique, slightly tart yet sweet flavor that complements alcohol very well. Throughout history, cherries have been used to make a variety of alcoholic drinks, from cherry wine and cherry beer to cherry brandy and cherry liqueurs.
History of Cherry Alcoholic Beverages
Cherries have been used to flavor alcoholic beverages for centuries. Cherry wine dates back to ancient Rome and was popular across Europe during the Middle Ages. Traditional cherry wines were made by fermenting cherry juice, pulp, and pits. Cherry brandy also has a long history, with early incarnations being produced in places like Greece and Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the 19th century, cherry-flavored liqueurs became popular in places like France and Switzerland. These liqueurs were made by macerating cherries in a spirit like brandy or rum, then mixing the infused spirit with sugar syrup. Well-known cherry liqueurs like maraschino and Cherry Heering were first produced during this time.
Beer brewers also started experimenting with cherries in the 19th century.Traditional Belgian kriek beers blend lambic beer with sour Morello cherries. In the 1980s, American craft brewers started making cherry beers by adding cherry juice, puree or dried cherries to ale and lager styles.
Popular Types of Cherry Alcoholic Beverages
Today, there are many types of cherry alcoholic beverages to enjoy:
Cherry Beers
Cherry beers are ales or lagers brewed with real or artificial cherry flavoring. Popular styles include:
- Cherry lambics – Sour cherry beers blended with lambic ale base
- Fruit wheat beers – Cherry-infused hefeweizens and witbiers
- Cherry stouts and porters – Dark cherry beers
- Cherry ales – Pale or amber ales with cherry flavor
Cherry notes range from subtle fruitiness to intense, sour cherry taste depending on brewing methods and type of cherry used.
Cherry Wine
Cherry wine is made by fermenting cherry juice rather than grape juice. Varieties include:
- Sweet cherry wine – Made from dark, sweet cherry juice
- Tart cherry wine – Produced from Montmorency tart cherry juice
- Cherry dessert wine – Sweet cherry wines, sometimes fortified
These wines have a fruity cherry taste and range from dry to sweet. Cherry wine can be still or sparkling.
Cherry Liqueurs
Cherry liqueurs are made by infusing a spirit with cherry flavoring. Common varieties include:
- Maraschino – Clear cherry liqueur from Italy
- Cherry Heering – Danish red liqueur with natural cherry juice
- Cherry brandy – Brandy-based liqueur with cherry
- Cherry gins – Gin liqueurs with cherry notes
These liqueurs have a pronounced cherry taste and are usually quite sweet. They are commonly used in cocktails.
Cherry Ciders
Cherry ciders blend apple cider with cherry juice or flavoring. These ciders may be:
- Dry cherry ciders – More tart cherry taste
- Sweet cherry ciders – With cherry juice or syrup for sweetness
Cherry cider has a fruity, appley taste complemented by sweet or tart cherry notes.
Making Cherry Alcohol at Home
It’s possible to make your own cherry alcoholic beverages at home with the right ingredients and equipment:
Cherry Wine
Cherry wine can be made by fermenting cherry juice with wine yeast. Start with about 3-4 pounds of pitted sweet or tart cherries. Crush the cherries and press out the juice, then add sugar and wine yeast to start fermentation. Allow to ferment 1-2 months, then rack, clarify and age wine for 6-12 months for best flavor. Home cherry wines are lightly sparkling and sweet.
Cherry Liqueur
Cherry liqueurs are easily made by infusing vodka or brandy with cherries and sugar. Combine pitted cherries with your preferred spirit and leave to infuse for 2-4 weeks. Strain liquid, then add simple syrup to taste. The result is a sweet, rich cherry-flavored liqueur.
Cherry Cider
To make cherry cider, start with store-bought or homemade hard apple cider. Add cherry juice or chopped cherries to the cider and allow to infuse for 1-2 weeks before straining and bottling. Optionally, add cherry syrup for extra sweetness. Refrigerate cherry cider and serve chilled.
Cherry Beer
It’s challenging but possible to homebrew cherry beer. Soak tart cherries in vodka for a few days to sanitized them, then puree. Make a base beer like a wheat ale, then rack onto the cherry puree after primary fermentation. Add cherry extract as needed for more cherry flavor. Allow beer to condition for 1-2 weeks before bottling.
Serving and Enjoying Cherry Alcoholic Beverages
Cherry alcoholic drinks can be served in many ways:
Cherry Beers
Cherry beers should be chilled to 40-50°F to bring out the fruity flavors. They are often served in pint or tulip shaped beer glasses. Tart cherry lambics in particular are served well in tulip glasses to appreciate their aromas.
Cherry Wine
Cherry wines pair well with foods like chocolate or cheese. Serve them slightly chilled at about 55°F in a wine glass. Sweet cherry dessert wines can be served with dessert after dinner.
Cherry Liqueurs
Cherry liqueurs are commonly used as cocktail mixers. They also work nicely on their own served over ice or chilled and straight up in a liqueur glass. Maraschino cherries make a nice garnish.
Cherry Cider
Cherry ciders should be served very cold, around 40°F. They are typically poured into a pint glass, wine glass or flute. Add an orange slice or maraschino cherry for garnish.
When making cherry drink cocktails like a Cherry Manhattan or Cherry Rum Punch, measure the liqueurs carefully and adjust sweetness to taste. Shake or stir drinks with ice and strain before serving.
Benefits of Cherry Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking cherry alcoholic beverages in moderation can offer some potential health benefits:
- Antioxidants – Cherries contain antioxidants like anthocyanins that may reduce inflammation and risk of disease.
- Melatonin – Cherries have melatonin, which promotes sleep.
- Nutrients – Cherries provide vitamin C, potassium and other nutrients.
However, alcohol consumption also carries risks. Excessive drinking can negatively impact health. But enjoying cherry drinks in moderation can be enjoyable while also providing beneficial compounds from the cherries.
Common Questions about Cherry Alcohol
Are maraschino cherries alcoholic?
No, the maraschino cherries used as garnishes are not alcoholic, even though they are named after the Italian maraschino cherry liqueur. They get their flavor from being preserved in a sugar syrup solution.
Are cherry flavored drinks gluten-free?
Most cherry flavored alcoholic beverages like cherry wine, cider, and some liqueurs are naturally gluten-free. However, cherry beers are generally not gluten-free because they contain gluten from barley or wheat. Always check labels to confirm gluten content.
Can you make cherry moonshine?
Yes, moonshine flavored with cherries can be produced by infusing cherries in unaged brandy spirit or whiskey mash. However, distilling spirits at home involves serious risks and safety hazards.
Conclusion
Cherries have been used since ancient times to create unique and flavorful alcoholic beverages. Today, drinkers can enjoy many types of cherry drinks from around the world, including cherry wine, cider, beer, and liqueurs. While best enjoyed in moderation, cherry alcoholic drinks provide some beneficial antioxidants and nutrients from the cherries themselves. With their bright, fruity taste, cherry alcoholic beverages offer a fun way to incorporate this delicious fruit into drinks across many styles.