7 Maraschino Liqueur Cocktails Worth Sipping

Anybody who loves cocktails and cherries will be delighted to discover maraschino liqueur. We say this from personal experience.

We became fans when we concocted our first maraschino liqueur cocktail, a Hemingway Daiquiri, and our appreciation grows with each and every cocktail we craft.

Maraschino liqueur is a clear liqueur produced from maraschino cherries.

Far from a passing fancy, maraschino cherry liqueur has century long roots in Zadar, a Croatian city that was formerly an Italian city called Zara. These roots involve Marasca trees, botanists who cultivated the trees and royalty who fancied the fruit grown on those trees.

Luxardo, the world’s most famous maraschino liqueur producer, moved from Zadar to Padua, Italy in 1947. But Luxardo isn’t the only company producing maraschino liqueur today. One, Leopold Bros., is located in the US but imports Marasca cherries from Croatia. The cherries are that special.

If you’re wondering if there’s a relationship between maraschino cherries and maraschino liqueur, the short answer is yes. But don’t confuse maraschino liqueur sold at liquor stores with the syrupy liquid in maraschino cherry jars.

Unlike that syrup, maraschino liqueur is clear and it isn’t sticky. Its complex flavor includes cherry but also has a nuttiness that comes from cherry pits.

You may want to sip maraschino liqueur as an apéritif or pour it over fresh fruit. However, the very best use for the sour cherry liqueur is in cocktails.

Some of the most iconic cocktails contain maraschino liqueur. But maraschino liqueur isn’t the primary liquor in any of those drinks. That honor goes to liquors like gin, rum and rye.

However, a little bit of maraschino liqueur goes a long way. You’ll understand once you buy a bottle and start crafting maraschino liqueur cocktails at home. And, when you do, we recommend starting with the following cocktails:

7 Of The Best Maraschino Liqueur Cocktails

Aviation

Don't be confused by its deep blue color. The Aviation cocktail is a serious cocktail for serious drinkers. Read on to learn how to craft the classic gin cocktail at home in just five minutes.

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Martinez

You probably aren't familiar with the Martinez unless you're either a cocktail connoisseur or a history buff. But once you try this classic gin drink, you'll surely be a fan. Follow our easy Martinez cocktail recipe and craft one at home in just five minutes.

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Brooklyn

Brooklyn isn't just the most populated borough in New York City. It's also a pre-prohibition cocktail that sips like a dream. When you follow our easy Brooklyn cocktail recipe, you'll forget about the other four boroughs before you get to the bottom of the glass.

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Mary Pickford

Inspired by one of Hollywood's top actresses during Prohibition, the Mary Pickford cocktail is a tasty tipple that has passed the test of time. It's also easy to craft with just a handful of ingredients.

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Hemingway Daiquiri

Also known as a Papa Doble, the Hemingway Daiquiri takes the simple Daiquiri to a new level with two simple additions. Discover how Ernest Hemingway got his name on the drink and learn how to make a Papa Doble at home.

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Diplomat

The Diplomat cocktail is ideal to imbibe during secret liaisons involving international negotiations and other clandestine affairs. It's also a tasty tipple that you can craft at home in just five minutes.

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Last Word

Don't underestimate the Last Word cocktail. Despite its short ingredient list and pale green hue, the Pre-Prohibition potable is a sophisticated sipper that deserves a seat at the table.

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