Cherry Old Fashioned: Recipe with Brandied Cherries

The Cherry Old Fashioned is what happens when you stop using cherries as garnish and start using them as a flavor ingredient. Most Old Fashioneds drop a single brandied cherry on top as decoration; this variation muddles 2–3 cherries into the build itself, integrating their syrupy fruit character with the rye's spice and the cocktail's bitters. The result is a richer, fruit-forward Old Fashioned that still respects the original recipe's structure.

This is the recipe and the why-it-works behind it. For the broader sub-hub, see our Old Fashioned Variations guide. For the cherry-as-garnish technique on the classic build, see Cherries & Garnish.

The Cherry Old Fashioned Recipe

Total prep: about 90 seconds.

Why Cherry and Rye Work Together

Cherries and rye whiskey share a structural compatibility. Both have:

• Stone fruit notes — present in rye's flavor profile, dominant in cherries
• Slight bitterness — cherries have natural tannins that complement Angostura
• Caramelized sweetness — brandied cherries' syrup picks up notes from oak-aged spirits

The variation reads as the cocktail's standard build with one dial turned up. Where the classic Old Fashioned has cherry as a background note (from a single garnish cherry), the Cherry Old Fashioned brings cherry to the foreground without losing the rye's structural backbone.

Choosing the Right Cherries

This is critical. Bright-red supermarket maraschino cherries are sugar-water-dyed and produce a sweet, gummy cocktail that doesn't taste like cherries. Real cocktail cherries — Luxardo, brandied, or quality Italian Marasca — are the only acceptable choice.

Cherry	Verdict	~Price
Luxardo Maraschino	Gold standard. Italian Marasca cherries soaked in liqueur	$25/jar
Brandied cherries (homemade)	Excellent. Make a quart at a time	$15 ingredients
Filthy Black Cherries	Cocktail-bar focused, clean syrup	$15/jar
Tillen Farms Bourbon Cherries	Good budget pick	$10/jar
Bright-red maraschino (supermarket)	Avoid. Will ruin this drink	—

For full sourcing details, see our Cocktail Cherries & Garnish guide.

Best Spirit for a Cherry Old Fashioned

Rye is our default. The pepper and dryness offset the cherries' natural sweetness. Bourbon also works — produces a softer, sweeter version. Skip wheated bourbons here (Maker's Mark) — they'll over-sweeten when combined with cherry.

Bottle	~Price	Notes
Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye	$30	Default. 100 proof, peppery, balanced
Wild Turkey 101 Rye	$25	Bolder; cherries soften the spice
Buffalo Trace Bourbon	$25	For a sweeter, vanilla-forward cherry build
Four Roses Single Barrel	$45	High-rye bourbon — best of both

For deeper rye picks, see Best Rye Whiskey for Old Fashioned.

Variations on the Cherry Old Fashioned

Cherry-Vanilla Old Fashioned

Add ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract or 1 dash vanilla bitters to the build. Smoother, more dessert-leaning.

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned

Build the standard cherry version, then smoke the glass with applewood for 30 seconds. Smoke + cherry + rye is one of the most-requested winter variations. See our Smoked Old Fashioned for technique.

Cherry-Cinnamon Old Fashioned

Add 1 cinnamon stick to the muddle (snap it in half so it releases oils). Holiday-leaning. Garnish with a whole cinnamon stick alongside the cherry.

Glassware & Tools

• Molten Tumblers or any rocks glass — see Best Old Fashioned Glass.
• Glacier Rocks Sphere mold — for the ice rock.
• Stainless Steel Muddler — essential for muddling cherries gently.
• Big Jig Double Jigger — for measuring.
• Trident Cocktail Spoon — for stirring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a Cherry Old Fashioned?

Lightly muddle 2–3 brandied or Luxardo cherries with ⅛ oz demerara syrup, ½ tsp cherry syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Add 2 oz rye whiskey and one large ice rock; stir 20–25 times. Garnish with an expressed orange peel and a whole cherry.

What kind of cherries do you use in a Cherry Old Fashioned?

Real cocktail cherries: Luxardo Maraschino, brandied cherries (homemade or commercial), or Filthy Black Cherries. Avoid bright-red supermarket maraschino cherries — they're sugar-water-dyed and will ruin the cocktail.

How is a Cherry Old Fashioned different from a regular Old Fashioned with a cherry garnish?

The standard Old Fashioned uses a cherry as garnish only — one cherry dropped on top. The Cherry Old Fashioned muddles 2–3 cherries into the build itself, making cherry a flavor ingredient rather than decoration. The result is fruit-forward without becoming dessert-y.

Can you use frozen cherries?

For a Cherry Old Fashioned specifically, real brandied or Luxardo cherries (already pickled in syrup) work better than thawed frozen fresh cherries. Frozen cherries lack the syrup-soaked depth that makes the variation work.

What rye is best for a Cherry Old Fashioned?

Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof, ~$30) is the default — peppery enough to offset the cherries' sweetness. Wild Turkey 101 also works. For a more elegant version, Sagamore Spirit Rye.

Can you make a Cherry Bourbon Old Fashioned?

Yes. Buffalo Trace or Four Roses Single Barrel work especially well — high-rye bourbons keep some structure under the cherry's sweetness. Drop the demerara to ⅛ oz and add 1 dash of orange bitters.

What season is the Cherry Old Fashioned for?

Year-round, but especially good in fall and winter. The deep, syrupy character reads warmer than other fruit Old Fashioneds. Excellent paired with cigars or after dinner.

More from the Recipe Room: All Variations · Classic Rye · Maple · Honey · Cranberry