Cherry bitters are a type of cocktail bitters made by infusing a combination of botanicals, herbs, spices, and sour or tart cherries in high-proof alcohol. They are typically used as a flavoring agent in cocktails to add complexity and depth of flavor.
Cherry bitters were first introduced in the mid-19th century, and were commonly used in classic cocktails like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned. They have a rich, fruity flavor with a slightly bitter and slightly sour taste, and can be used to balance out the sweetness of cocktails or to add a new layer of complexity to the overall flavor profile.
There are many different brands of cherry bitters available, each with their own unique blend of ingredients and flavor profile.
Cherry Bitters Cocktails Recipes
The Manhattan
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Directions: Combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and cherry bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
The Old Fashioned
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Orange peel (for garnish)
Directions: In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube (or simple syrup) with a splash of water and the cherry bitters. Add ice and the bourbon or rye whiskey, and stir until chilled. Garnish with an orange peel.
The Whiskey Sour
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 dash cherry bitters
- Cherry (for garnish)
Directions: Combine the bourbon or rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cherry bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry.
Cherry Lime Rickey
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Club soda
- Cherry (for garnish)
Directions: Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and cherry bitters, and stir. Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry.
Cherry Bourbon Sour
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz cherry syrup
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Lemon wheel (for garnish)
Directions: Combine bourbon, lemon juice, cherry syrup, simple syrup, and cherry bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Cherry Negroni
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Directions: Combine gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and cherry bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cherry Blossom Spritz
- 1.5 oz gin
- 1 oz cherry liqueur
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Club soda
- Cherry blossom (for garnish)
Directions: Fill a wine glass with ice. Add gin, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, and cherry bitters, and stir. Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry blossom.
Cherry Vanilla Bourbon Smash
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz vanilla syrup
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Mint leaves
- Cherry (for garnish)
Directions: Muddle mint leaves in a shaker. Add bourbon, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, cherry bitters, and ice, and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a cherry.
Cherry Almond Collins
- 1.5 oz amaretto
- 1 oz cherry juice
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Club soda
- Almond slices (for garnish)
Directions: Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add amaretto, cherry juice, lemon juice, and cherry bitters, and stir. Top with club soda and garnish with almond slices.
Cherry Chocolate Martini
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz chocolate liqueur
- 1/2 oz cherry juice
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Chocolate shavings (for garnish)
Directions: Combine vodka, chocolate liqueur, cherry juice, and cherry bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Cherry Margarita
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz cherry juice
- 2 dashes cherry bitters
- Salt
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
Directions: Rim a rocks glass with salt. Fill with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, cherry juice, and cherry bitters, and stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Note: If you don’t have cherry bitters, you can substitute with another type of bitters or omit it entirely, but the flavor profile of the cocktail will be different.
About Cherry Bitters
Origin: The origin of cherry bitters can be traced back to the mid-19th century when bitters were commonly used as a digestive aid and flavoring agent in cocktails. The use of cherry bitters in cocktails became popular in the United States, especially in classic cocktails like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned.
Ingredients: The ingredients in cherry bitters vary depending on the manufacturer, but typically include a combination of botanicals, herbs, spices, and tart or sour cherries. Some common ingredients found in cherry bitters include gentian root, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and orange peel.
Flavor: Cherry bitters have a rich, fruity flavor with a slightly bitter and slightly sour taste. They add a layer of complexity to cocktails and can help balance out sweetness or add depth of flavor.
Proof: The alcohol proof of cherry bitters varies depending on the brand and production method, but typically falls in the range of 40-45% ABV (80-90 proof).
Usage: Cherry bitters are typically used as a flavoring agent in cocktails. They can be used in a variety of cocktails, from classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned, to more modern cocktails like the Cherry Blossom Spritz and Cherry Almond Collins.
Serving: Cherry bitters are often used in small amounts, usually 1-2 dashes per cocktail. They can be added directly to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, or directly to a glass.
Production and Manufacturer: Cherry bitters are produced by a variety of manufacturers, including Fee Brothers, Woodford Reserve. The production process typically involves macerating the botanicals, herbs, and cherries in high-proof alcohol, then filtering and bottling the resulting liquid.
Variations: There are many variations of cherry bitters available, each with its own unique blend of ingredients and flavor profile. Some cherry bitters are made with more or less sour cherries, some have a stronger or milder flavor of cinnamon, and some have a more pronounced orange peel flavor. Some manufacturers also produce cherry bitters with additional flavors, such as vanilla or chocolate.