Tag: Luxardo

By definition, a standard liqueur must contain a minimum of 100g of sugar per liter according to EU law, though for some cherry liqueurs, a lower minimum of 70g per liter applies. So, how much sugar is in cherry liqueur, and how does this affect its taste and use in cocktails? The exact sugar content varies dramatically between brands, depending on the production method, cherry type, and intended flavor profile.

Originally, maraschino cherries were made by soaking marasca cherries in maraschino liqueur, a spirit distilled from the fruit. The answer to "Do maraschino cherries have alcohol in them?" depends on which type of cherry you are considering—the classic European confection or the modern, supermarket-style version.

According to food historian lore, a mid-20th-century urban legend claimed that maraschino cherries were preserved with formaldehyde. In reality, this is a pervasive myth, and formaldehyde is not used in the modern production of maraschino cherries.

The original maraschino cherries were a Croatian delicacy, a fact that surprises many who know only the bright red American version. So, what is the myth about maraschino cherries that claims they are preserved in formaldehyde, and what's the truth behind this urban legend?