Where Do Maraschino Cherries Come From

Ever glance at your Shirley Temple or sundae and wonder, where did that bright red cherry actually come from? You're not alone! Maraschino cherries are one of life's small, sweet mysteries sitting right there on top.

Here's the fun part — the story behind this tiny garnish is way more interesting than you'd expect. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a delicious little journey.

A Trip All the Way Back to Croatia

The word "maraschino" doesn't start in the United States — it actually traces back to Dalmatia, a coastal region of modern-day Croatia. There, locals made a liqueur known as maraskino from sour cherries called marasca cherries.

Imagine folks steeping those tart little fruits in brandy-spiked liqueur centuries ago. Sounds gloriously old-fashioned, right?

Where to Find Maraschino Cherries in the Grocery Store? - Chef's Resource

Eventually, people couldn't help but pair those boozy cherries with the drink itself. And just like that, the tradition of "maraschino cherries" was born.

So Wait, Are They Always Boozy?

Not anymore! While the original recipe had plenty of alcohol, modern maraschino cherries are a very different creature. Today they're typically made from sweet cherries — often the Royal Ann or Bing variety — that get put through quite the ride.