Gastronomista: Unexpected Uses for Cocktail Cherries

Any cocktail enthusiast will tell you that a better cherry will seriously up your cocktail game, but how about your food game?? The answer is yes, and I'm here to prove it to you.

I'm a firm believer that Luxardo makes the best cocktail cherry on the surface of the earth, and so naturally, these cherries have been creeping into all sorts of other recipes. Breakfast? Yes please. Ice cream? Hell yes. Cheese Platters? Bring. It. On.

Today I will be showing you 3 unexpected ways to use cocktail cherries, and therein, change your life.

First up: The Cherry Ice Cream Float

Ice cream floats are insanely delicious to begin with - but when you add a heavy drizzle of Luxardo syrup, they become nothing less than pure bliss. I love this recipe because it replaces any artificial sweeteners or flavorings, and it is incredibly simple to make. I also appreciate that it uses the leftover syrup of the cocktail cherries themselves, which is a shame to waste.

Cherry Ice Cream Float
Created by Gastronomista

1 oz Luxardo Cherry Syrup (From the Jar of Cherries)
1 Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
Soda Water
Luxardo Cherries to Garnish

Build syrup and ice cream in a low ball cocktail glass, and top with soda water. Serve with a metal straw, a spoon, and garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry or two.

Another favorite place to use cocktail cherries? Breakfast.

Luxardo Cherries are fabulous on a bowl of Greek Yogurt, especially when loaded up with granola, fresh fruit, toasted coconut flakes, and spiced chickpeas. Add a drizzle of the cherry syrup for more sweetness, and enjoy!

Sweet and Savory Yogurt Bowl

Greek Yogurt
5-6 Luxardo Cherries (whole or diced)
1 T Toasted Coconut Flakes
1 T Spiced Chickpeas
1 T Granola
2 T Fresh Fruit
1/2 oz Luxardo Cherry Sryrup

Scoop fruit into a bowl and top with fruit, granola, coconut, chickpeas, and cherries. Drizzle with cherry syrup and enjoy!

Last, but certainly not least, I want to share another entertaining tip and an unexpected use for cocktail cherries: Paired with Cheese! I sneak Luxardo cherries into my cheese boards and pair with elegant white creamy cheeses like white gouda, ripened goats milk cheese, and even a creamy blue cheese.

Creamy cheeses pair really well with the sweetness of the cherries, and it can replace any other sweetener you would typically serve on a cheese plate (honey, jam, quince...). Just remember, presentation is everything: build a decadent cheese platter with loads of crackers, fresh fruit, meats, nuts, and a selection of a few different cheeses.

Here are a few cheeses I recommend that pair beautifully with the cocktail cherries:

Jasper Hill Harbison – A soft-ripened cheese with a rustic bloomy ring

Cypress Grove Midnight Moon – Goat’s Milk from Northern California

Cypress Grove Bermuda Triangle – Goat’s Milk Soft Ripened Cheese with an Ash Rub

Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese – Cow’s Milk Blue Cheese aged in Roquefort Modeled Caves

Président Triple Cream Brie - Creamy Brie that is easily found in any grocery store