Cherry Simple Syrup

5 from 47 votes

Fresh Cherry Simple Syrup is full of that summertime flavor! Sweet and tart, this perfect syrup can be mixed into cocktails and mocktails or drizzled over desserts and pancakes.

a spoon dripping cherry syrup into a jar

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About this Cherry Simple Syrup recipe

Whenever I first see cherries in the store each summer, a bag is coming home with me. So juicy and succulent. One thing is for sure, I will probably make cherry bounce. And there will be cherry cobbler.

And cherry cocktails — which are going to call for making cherry syrup. Simple syrups make sweetening and flavoring drinks easy, and you can also drizzle them over breakfast foods or desserts. (Hello, homemade ice cream!)

This cherry syrup is made with real fruit, which is important to me — I hate anything artificially cherry-flavored because it reminds me of cough syrup. No, thank you! Fresh cherries all the way. This cherry syrup doesn’t have a fake or medicinal taste, so this recipe fits the bill completely, and you’re going to want to use it all summer long.

For simple syrups, you typically need as much sugar as you do water, and many people boil them together with fruit, but this recipe is a little different. Instead, you’ll boil water and cherries together to draw out a reduced cherry juice, then strain out the solids and stir in the sugar to make a balanced syrup that’s perfect for drinks like cherry limeade.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Cherry syrup has so many uses, and you are going to love trying them all!

  1. It’s versatile. You can make it with fresh or frozen cherries, which is great for when they are out of season but you are craving that summer flavor.
  2. With just three ingredients, this recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes.
  3. It’s an inexpensive and healthier alternative to store-bought cocktail syrups.
A measuring cup of sugar, a glass measuring cup of water, and a pile of fresh cherries for homemade cherry syrup are arranged on a white marble surface, each labeled with text.

Ingredients

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by combining sugar and water, and it’s easy to infuse other flavors with fruits, spices and herbs. So, while you only need three ingredients to make cherry syrup, you can mix things up with great results — check out the section below called Variations & Substitutions. Here’s where to start:

  1. cherries: Fresh cherries will work best in this syrup, but you can also use frozen ones. Any kind of sweet and sour cherries will work — Bing cherries and Rainier cherries are both popular ones.
  2. sugar: Most simple syrups are made with granulated white sugar, but other types of sugar can be used, including honey and brown sugar.
  3. water: Filtered water or distilled water will give you the best, purest-tasting results, and it will help your syrup last a little longer, but tap water will work.

👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!

Best cherries

Cherries are versatile. You can use fresh or frozen, sweet or sour cherries — Bing, Rainier, Montmorency and Lambert cherries are all great options.

If you’ve got some cherries that will need to be tossed soon (aka they’re slightly bruised), simple syrup is a great way to eke out the last of their flavor!

Fresh cherries are sooo juicy with a ton of tart, sweet flavor. Cherry season takes place between May and August in parts of the United States, so if you can find fresh cherries from a local grower, please do — I’ll be so jealous!

No cherries? This Cheerwine simple syrup uses cherry soda to make an easy cherry syrup. You can also use ¾ cup of tart cherry juice instead of fresh cherries to make this fruity syrup.

a gold spoon in a jar of cherry simple sytup

Variations & substitutions

Sugar substitutions: Granulated sugar and cane sugar are what I usually use to make simple syrups. However, feel free to use brown sugar, agave nectar *, maple syrup or honey instead. Since the cherry juices are so dark, they won’t affect the color of this syrup. Or substitute your favorite sugar substitute, such as stevia or coconut sugar, to make a sugar-free syrup.

Flavor variations: Shake things up by incorporating other herbs, spices and fruits to make your syrup pack a punch.

  • Cherry Thyme Syrup: Add thyme sprigs to the syrup while it cools to infuse thyme flavor (see this mint syrup recipe for details).
  • Almond Cherry Syrup: Stir in a little almond extract at the end to for a classic flavor combo.
  • Spiced Cherry Syrup: This one is great for the holidays. Add some whole cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger to the cherry-water mixture while it cooks to infuse spiced flavor.
  • Mixed Berry Syrup: Use a mixture of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, in addition to the cherries.
  • Cherry Lime Syrup: Stir in 2 tablespoons lime juice to add some tart lime flavor à la cherry limeade. (Or lemon juice for cherry lemonade flavor!)
a jar of cherry syrup with a spoon

How to make Cherry Syrup

Though you can buy cherry simple syrup, this is an easy recipe that is also inexpensive to make. It tastes so much better with fresh fruit! In my opinion, it is just not worth buying.

  1. First, wash and dry the cherries, then pit them. You can use a straw if you don’t have a cherry pitter *.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring water and fruit to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Use a fine mesh sieve * to remove the solids and strain the hot liquid into a bowl or jar.
  4. While still warm, stir in sugar until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.
  5. Store in a food-safe, airtight container, such as a mason jar, for up to two weeks.
cherry syrup in a jar with fresh cherries

Uses for Cherry Simple Syrup

Cherry syrup has so many uses! Of course, cocktails are a must. Add the flavor of sweet cherries to your favorite drink recipes — the deep crimson color can’t be beat and the flavor is exquisite. (And don’t forget some homemade cocktail cherries for a garnish!)

You can also drizzle it over breakfast foods or desserts. Bakers can even use it to moisten cherry cake before decorating or mix it into frosting. See how versatile it is?! Here are a few more ideas:

a bowl of cherries with cherry syrup

FAQ

What kind of cherries should I use for this syrup?

You can use any sweet or tart cherries, depending on the flavor you’re going for. Bing and Rainier cherries are popular sweet varieties, while Montmorency and Morello cherries add a bright, tangy kick.

Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Frozen cherries work just as well and are often already pitted, which saves time. No need to thaw them first — just simmer a little longer.

Do I need to pit the cherries first?

Yes, it’s best to remove the pits before making the syrup. A cherry pitter makes the job quick, but you can also use a paring knife or even a sturdy straw.

How long does homemade cherry syrup last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, cherry syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it in small portions.

More simple syrup recipes

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a bowl of cherries with cherry syrup

Cherry Simple Syrup

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Tart cherries make a tasty addition to drinks and desserts with this easy syrup recipe.
5 from 47 votes
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ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries pitted
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup sugar

instructions

  • Wash and dry the cherries, then pit them.
  • In a medium saucepan, bring water and fruit to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Strain the hot liquid into a bowl or jar through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids.
  • While still warm, stir in sugar until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Store in a food-safe, airtight container, such as a mason jar, for up to two weeks.

notes

No cherry pitter? Use a straw to push the pit out by inserting it through the stem end of the cherry. 
  1.  

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nutrition information

Yield: 12 servings

amount per serving:

Serving: 0.5ounce Calories: 39kcal Carbohydrates: 10g Protein: 0.1g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.004g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 26mg Fiber: 0.2g Sugar: 10g Vitamin A: 7IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 2mg Iron: 0.05mg
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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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