I love these boozy cherry bombs so much, because they’re super easy to make, but also fun and festive. You can customize these drunken cherries with different alcohols and sprinkle colors to suit a variety of occasions, but the red cherries work perfectly for this patriotic red white and blue combo!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet with a kick. Juicy cherries soak up the alcohol for a fun, flavorful bite with just the right amount of boozy punch!
- Perfect party treat. Bite-sized and easy to grab, they’re ideal for parties, holidays, and celebrations
- Simple to make. With just 4 ingredients and a microwave (no baking needed!), you can create an impressive, crowd-pleasing treat
- Customizable flavors. Use vodka, rum, or bourbon and switch up coatings like melted chocolate, sugar, or sprinkles for different seasons or occasions
- Make-ahead friendly. Prep them in advance and let the flavors develop; even better for entertaining!
- Eye-catching and fun. Glossy drunken cherries with a sweet coating make these as pretty as they are delicious
- Great for gifting. Package them up for a fun, homemade treat for the adults that feels a little special
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Ingredients List
- 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries with stems
- ½ cup whipped cream flavored vodka
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 2-3 Tbsp royal blue sanding sugar
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- The royal blue sanding sugar can be swapped for blue sprinkles, or sugar of another color as desired (like green for Christmas, pink for Valentine’s Day, etc)! The exact amount needed depends on the size of your bowl – it needs to be deep enough to cover the bottom â…“ of the cherry when dipped into it!
- You can use another liquor of choice instead of the whipped cream vodka. I’ve also used vanilla or cherry vodka, Fireball whiskey, and bourbon with great results. The exact amount you’ll need depends on the size of your cherry jar, so note this is an approximation
- Instead of white chocolate chips, you can use white candy melts or almond bark
Step By Step Instructions
- Open the jar of maraschino cherries and pour out the liquid, then add the whipped cream vodka until the cherries are covered again. Replace the lid and let it sit for at least 24 hours (more is fine as well)
- Drain the cherries (you can reserve the cherry infused whipped cream vodka for another recipe if you’d like) and pat them dry with a paper towel. Line a baking sheet or dish with wax paper or parchment paper
- Add the white chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 1 minute, stir, and cook in additional 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Add the sanding sugar to a small bowl as well (in both cases, narrower and tall is better, so you can more easily dip the cherries)
- Grab a cherry by the stem (or stab it with a toothpick if the stem is missing) and dip it into the melted white chocolate about â…” up the cherry. Let excess drip off (I shake it just a little) and then dip the chocolate-covered cherry into the sanding sugar about â…“ up the bottom. The result should give you 3 relatively even layers of red, white, and blue. Place on the wax or parchment lined sheet. Repeat until all cherries are dipped
- Pop the tray or dish filled with cherries into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to finish hardening the white chocolate coating, and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Small Bites
- Cheese board (brie, goat cheese, cheddar): Creamy and slightly tangy cheeses balance the sweetness of the cherries
- Dark chocolate squares: Bittersweet chocolate pairs beautifully with cherry flavor
- Chocolate-covered nuts: A mix of crunchy, sweet, and slightly salty
- Prosciutto-wrapped bites: Salty cured meat contrasts the sweet, boozy cherries
Dessert Pairings
- Chocolate cake or brownies: Rich chocolate and cherry is a classic combination
- Cheesecake: Creamy, tangy flavors complement the sweetness
- Vanilla ice cream: Cold, smooth, and simple alongside bold cherry flavor
- Shortbread cookies: Buttery and mild, letting the cherries stand out
Party Snacks
- Popcorn (lightly salted): A simple, crunchy contrast to the sweet coating
- Pretzels: Salty and crisp for balance!
- Candied nuts: Lean into the sweet-and-crunchy theme
Drink Pairings
- Champagne or sparkling wine: Bubbly and light to balance the richness
- Manhattan or Old Fashioned: Whiskey cocktails pair naturally with cherry flavors. Double down with my Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned!
- Chocolate martini: For a fully indulgent dessert pairing. My Chocolate Espresso Martini is the perfect choice!
- Coffee or espresso: Slight bitterness offsets the sweetness
Occasion Vibes
Perfect for holidays, cocktail parties, New Year’s Eve, or any celebration where you want a fun, boozy treat that doubles as dessert.
This red white and blue version in particular is one of my favorites for Memorial Day cookouts and Fourth of July too!
Recipe FAQs
What Liquor Is Used For Cherry Bombs?
Vodka is the most common choice because it lets the cherry flavor shine, but rum, bourbon, or even flavored liqueurs can also be used. Each option adds a slightly different flavor profile, from sweet to more rich and warm.
How Long To Soak Maraschino Cherries In Alcohol?
For the best flavor, soak maraschino cherries in alcohol for at least 24 hours. For a stronger, more infused taste, you can let them soak for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Can I Make A Non-Alcoholic Version?
Yes! Simply soak the cherries in fruit juice like cherry, orange, or pineapple juice instead of alcohol. You’ll still get a flavorful, fun treat without the boozy kick.
Tips For the Best Boozy Cherry Bombs
- For best results, use room temperature cherries. If you’ve left them in the fridge to chill while soaking, drain and let them warm up for 15-20 minutes before dipping
- Microwave wattages vary. My 1000W microwave takes about 1 ½ minutes total to melt the chocolate. Adjust as needed for your wattage
- You will likely have some leftover sugar and chocolate just by nature of needing it deep enough to dip
Serving and Make Ahead
Serving Tips
- Serve chilled. Boozy cherry bombs taste best cold,so I prefer to refrigerate them after dipping until I’m ready to serve them!
- Use a decorative tray or bowl. A simple white dish or glass bowl makes the glossy cherries really pop!
- Keep portions small. They’re rich and boozy, so a few per person is perfect
Make-Ahead Tips
- Soak in advance. Prepare the cherries 1-3 days ahead and store them in the refrigerator to let the flavor fully develop
- Add coatings last. Coat the cherries in sugar and chocolate the day of serving for the best texture and appearance
- Store in an airtight container. Keep them sealed in the fridge to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out
- Make a big batch. These are easy to scale and perfect for prepping ahead for parties or holidays!
- Blueberry Tomato Caprese Salad
- Fourth of July S’Mores Dip
Final Thoughts
These boozy cherry bombs are perfect for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July celebrations, offering an easy to grab and eat treat that packs an alcoholic punch (for the adults, of course).
Patriotic cherries are so easy to make, with just a handful of ingredients and a microwave – no baking needed! Plus, they’re easy to prepare in advance, so you can get back to relaxing with friends and family.
You can customize them easily with different liquors, chocolate coatings, and even decorations to suit nearly any occasion. For the holiday season, check out my Christmas Cherry Bombs too!
Boozy Cherry Bombs (With Vodka)
Servings: 12
These boozy cherry bombs are soaked in vodka and finished with a candy coating for a party-ready treat! This red white and blue version of drunken cherries is perfect for Memorial Day and July 4th!
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for stirring)
- Baking sheet (or similar)
- Parchment paper (or wax paper)
Ingredients
- 10 ounce jar red maraschino cherries with stems
- ½ cup whipped cream flavored vodka (such as Pinnacle)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 2-3 Tbsp royal blue sanding sugar
Instructions
- Open the jar of maraschino cherries and pour out the liquid, then fill with whipped cream vodka until the cherries are covered again. Replace the lid and let it sit for at least 24 hours (more is fine)10 ounce jar red maraschino cherries with stems, ½ cup whipped cream flavored vodka
- Drain the cherries (use the infused vodka for a cocktail if you like) and pat them dry with a paper towel. Line a baking sheet or dish with wax paper or parchment paper
- Add the white chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 1 minute, stir, and cook in additional 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Exact time needed will vary between microwave wattages. Add the sanding sugar to a small bowl as well (in both cases, narrower and tall is better, so you can more easily dip the cherries)1 cup white chocolate chips, 2-3 Tbsp royal blue sanding sugar
- Grab a cherry by the stem (or stab it with a toothpick if the stem is missing) and dip it into the melted chocolate â…” up the cherry. Let excess drip off (shake it just a little) and then dip the chocolate-covered cherry into the sanding sugar about â…“ up the bottom. The result should give you 3 relatively even layers of red, white, and blue. Place on the wax or parchment lined sheet. Repeat until all cherries are dipped
- Pop the tray or dish filled with cherries into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to finish hardening the coating (store in the fridge until ready to serve), and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use another liquor of choice instead of the whipped cream vodka. I’ve also used vanilla or cherry vodka, Fireball whiskey, and bourbon with great results. The exact amount you’ll need depends on the size of your cherry jar, so note the amount is an approximation
- Instead of white chocolate chips, you can use white candy melts or almond bark
- The royal blue sanding sugar can be swapped for blue sprinkles, or sugar of another color as desired (like green for Christmas, pink for Valentine’s Day, etc)! The exact amount needed depends on the size of your bowl – it needs to be deep enough to cover the bottom â…“ of the cherry when dipped into it!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any decorations added, and quantity consumed. This also assumes use of all chocolate and sprinkles (you will have extra leftover) so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 49g | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 4.6g | Saturated Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 5.8IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 0.1mg
