Dark Italian Amarena cherries, slow-infused with Kentucky bourbon and packed in their own deep red syrup. They are made in small batches in Kentucky, a long way from the neon maraschino in a supermarket jar. The fruit stays firm and glossy, and the syrup carries enough bourbon and cane sugar to stand on its own.
The jar is plain glass with a simple lid and a printed label, so it sits comfortably between a bottle of rye and a shaker on a bar cart. It draws on the old tradition of preserving fruit in spirits, the same instinct behind brandied cherries and Southern pantry shelves. Think of it as a garnish with enough character to be a pantry staple too.
Drop a cherry into an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, or into a glass of sparkling wine. Spoon the fruit over vanilla ice cream, warm brie, or a wedge of aged cheese on a board. The syrup can stand in for simple syrup in a cocktail, so none of the jar goes to waste. It also tucks easily into a gift bag beside a bottle of bourbon or vermouth.