The perfect garnish can truly make a cocktail in both the aesthetic and taste departments. I always try to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients I can find, so when I have a chance to enhance a staple ingredient and make it from scratch, I jump at it. Here, I vamped up the classic Manhattan with some homemade Maraschino cherries.

The beauty of this Maraschino cherry recipe? You can play with the spices and liqueur that you use to best suit your favorite cocktail. Don't have Maraschino on hand? Give brandy or aged rum a try. Not a big fan of nutmeg? Just stick with the cinnamon, and maybe some cloves. I happen to think they make an awesome gift, especially for an Old Fashioned or Manhattan lover.

Homemade Maraschino Cherries

recipe adapted from Serious Eats

1 lb pitted and stemmed cherries (we used frozen cherries)
1 cup Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 stick cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch of salt

Combine water, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Continue to stir as sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in brandy and cherries. Coat cherries in syrup. Once the cherries have cooled, store in the fridge in a tightly sealed jar. 

Classic Old Fashioned

2 oz bourbon
1 tsp sugar
4 dashes Angostura bitters
2 cherries
1 1/2 orange wheels
splash club soda

Add sugar, bitters, and bourbon to a lowball glass. Stir to combine, fill with ice, and serve with an orange wheel and cherry garnish.