The cherry has been a fixture in cocktail culture for well over a century — a small but iconic garnish that evolved from decoration to essential flavor.

Its story begins in the late 19th century, during the golden age of the American cocktail. Bartenders in New York and Europe began garnishing drinks like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned with maraschino cherries, inspired by imported Italian maraschino liqueur made from Luxardo cherries. These preserved cherries were a symbol of refinement, adding color and sweetness to whiskey- and vermouth-based drinks.

By the Prohibition era (1920s–30s), however, the true maraschino cherry had largely disappeared in the U.S. as imports halted. American producers created their own version — typically brined and dyed bright red — to imitate the look of the Italian original. These neon cherries became a fixture in postwar soda fountains and cocktails.

The craft cocktail revival of the 2000s sparked a return to authenticity. Bartenders and brands rediscovered traditional preservation methods, reintroducing Luxardo, Amarena, and brandied cherries made with real fruit and natural syrups. Today, the cherry isn’t just a garnish — it’s a key ingredient, lending depth to cherry-forward cocktails.

From old-world elegance to modern craftsmanship, the cherry’s journey mirrors the cocktail world itself — a return to quality, heritage, and the joy of flavor done right.