18 Stunning Maraschino Liqueur Cocktails Every Woman Must Try At Least Once Updated 06/2026

From timeless classics to gorgeous modern sips, these maraschino liqueur cocktails will transform your at-home bar game forever.

If there is one bottle that belongs on every stylish woman’s bar cart, it is maraschino liqueur. Clear as water, complex as a great novel, and endlessly versatile, this cherry-forward spirit is the secret weapon behind some of the most iconic, beautiful, and delicious cocktails ever created. Whether you are hosting a girls’ night in, planning a romantic dinner, or simply treating yourself after a long week, the right maraschino liqueur cocktail can turn an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.

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This guide walks you through 18 must-try maraschino liqueur cocktails, complete with step-by-step recipes, fascinating history, and everything you need to know to sip with confidence and elegance.

What Is Maraschino Liqueur (And Why You Need It Right Now)

Before diving into the recipes, let us clear up a very common confusion. Maraschino liqueur is not the sugary red syrup in a jar of cocktail cherries. The two could not be more different.

Maraschino liqueur is a clear, cherry-flavored liqueur made by distilling Marasca cherries, a variety that grows on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. Large-scale production started back in 1759 in Zadar, Croatia, where it is still manufactured today.

The liqueur is crafted from the leaves, branches, pits, and skins of sour Marasca cherries, which are fermented and distilled, resulting in a complex spirit with notes of cherry, vanilla, and almond. That hint of almond? It comes from the cherry pits themselves, making every sip layered, nutty, and hauntingly beautiful.

The flavor is best described as: lightly sweet, slightly tart, floral, subtly nutty, with a clean finish. It is nothing like a syrupy liqueur. Think sophisticated, refined, and endlessly mixable.

A History Worth Savoring: The Fascinating Story Behind the Bottle

Few spirits carry a backstory as compelling as maraschino liqueur.

According to legend, the recipe for rosolio Maraschino was born in a Dalmatian monastery in the 16th century, thanks to a friar pharmacist. Only the place of origin is certain: the town of Zara and its surroundings, ruled in the past by the Republic of Venice and nowadays part of Croatia.

In 1759, Francesco Drioli, a Venetian merchant, began industrial-scale production of maraschino in Zadar, Croatia. By the end of the 18th century, his maraschino had already gained widespread fame and cornered major markets in Europe, especially England. In 1804, the Austrian Emperor granted the factory the title Imperial Regia Privilegiata, entitling it to use the Imperial coat of arms. British warships were even dispatched to pick up shipments for the British royal family.

Girolamo Luxardo, a Genovese businessman, and his wife, Maria Canevari, moved to Zara in 1817. It was Maria who began perfecting the liqueur, produced in Dalmatian convents since medieval times. Her recipe was of such high quality that it gained the attention of connoisseurs, and her husband founded the Luxardo Distillery in 1821.

Then came World War II. During the war, the Luxardo family fled Yugoslavia with only a single cherry sapling from their orchard. They replanted it in Italy, where it became the foundation for rebuilding their entire Maraschino empire from scratch. That is not just history. That is devotion.

Today, Luxardo sells over a million jars of their signature cocktail cherries a year, and the maraschino liqueur remains their heart and soul, first exported to New Orleans in 1839, where it found a home in cocktails like the Aviation, Last Word, Brooklyn, and Floridita.

One more fun fact: the distinctive straw-wrapped Luxardo bottle was originally designed to prevent breakage during long sea voyages in the 19th century when the liqueur was shipped around the world. Style with purpose, as always.

The 18 Best Maraschino Liqueur Cocktails to Try

The Aviation

The floral, lavender-hued dream that started it all.

The Aviation is arguably the most famous maraschino cocktail ever created, and for good reason. Its gorgeous pale purple color, delicate floral aroma, and bright citrus backbone make it the ultimate show-stopper. This is the cocktail you make when you want to feel like you are in a Parisian salon circa 1916.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz dry gin
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.5 oz Creme de Violette
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, maraschino liqueur, Creme de Violette, and lemon juice.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
4. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Garnish with a single Luxardo cherry.

Tip: Do not skip the Creme de Violette. It is what gives this drink its iconic lavender hue and floral whisper.

The Last Word

Equal parts bold, herby, and utterly addictive.

The Last Word is a well-balanced elixir consisting of equal parts gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice. One of the all-time favorite classic cocktails from the early 1900s. Born during the Prohibition era and recently experiencing a renaissance, this is the cocktail for the woman who likes her drinks with personality.

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Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz dry gin
• 0.75 oz green Chartreuse
• 0.75 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• Amarena cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine all four ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add a generous amount of ice.
3. Shake for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
5. Garnish with an Amarena cherry.

Tip: The equal-parts formula is non-negotiable here. Each ingredient must be in perfect balance to achieve that magical result.

The Hemingway Daiquiri (Papa Doble)

For the adventurous spirit who drinks like a legend.

Ernest Hemingway’s favorite cocktail is a slight variation on the classic daiquiri. Legend has it that Hemingway, a diabetic who avoided sugar, ordered his daiquiris with double the rum and grapefruit juice instead of sweetener. The result is bracingly tart, refreshing, and deeply sophisticated.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• Grapefruit twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass (no ice).
4. Express a grapefruit twist over the surface and lay it on the rim.

Tip: Use freshly squeezed juice only. The difference between fresh and bottled citrus is everything in a drink this simple.

The Brooklyn Cocktail

Manhattan’s cooler, more mysterious sister.

The Brooklyn was born in the early 1900s and is similarly spirit-forward, with maraschino liqueur and dry vermouth adding nuance and intrigue. This one is perfect for impressing friends at a dinner party or cocktail hour.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 0.75 oz dry vermouth
• 0.25 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.25 oz Amer Picon (or Amaro CioCiaro as substitute)
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled and properly diluted.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Tip: Stirring (not shaking) keeps this silky and spirit-forward. This is a cocktail meant to be savored slowly.

The Mary Pickford

A Prohibition-era tropical treasure.

First shaken up sometime in the 1920s, the Mary Pickford traditionally combines white rum, fresh pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur. It was created in honor of Canadian silent film star Mary Pickford during her visit to Havana. The result is fruity, festive, and absolutely stunning in a glass.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz grenadine
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• Pineapple slice or cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur.
3. Shake well for 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a fresh pineapple slice or a cherry.

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Tip: For a more complex version, swap white rum for a lightly aged Jamaican rum to bring out baked fruit notes.

The Casino Cocktail

Classic, tart, and deceptively refined.

The earliest print version of the Casino’s recipe was published in 1909 and called for the same ingredients used today, including Old Tom gin and maraschino liqueur. With a splash of fresh lemon juice and orange bitters, the Casino is vibrant, tart, and ideal for springtime sipping.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz Old Tom gin (or dry gin)
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Maraschino cherry and lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and orange bitters in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon twist.

Tip: Old Tom gin is sweeter and slightly fuller-bodied than London Dry, making this drink more balanced. Worth hunting down a bottle.

The Division Bell

Smoky, sultry, and absolutely unforgettable.

The Division Bell is a smoky, sultry, and citrusy pairing of mezcal, Aperol, and maraschino liqueur that is bold and eye-catching. This cocktail is new to the scene but riffs on a classic and will have everyone talking.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz mezcal
• 0.75 oz Aperol
• 0.75 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wheel or cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well for 15 seconds.
3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or cherry.

Tip: The smokiness of mezcal plays beautifully against the sweet cherry notes of maraschino. Choose a lightly smoky mezcal if you are new to the spirit.

The Lux Daiquiri

The most luxurious three-ingredient drink you will ever taste.

The Lux Daiquiri uses aged gold rum, Luxardo maraschino liqueur with its syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice to create a decadent beverage perfect for sipping by the pool. Simple, gorgeous, and completely satisfying.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz aged gold rum
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add aged rum, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice to a shaker.
2. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Tip: Use a quality aged rum like Appleton Estate or El Dorado 5 Year for the richest result.

Seventh Heaven

Three ingredients, infinite elegance.

Seventh Heaven needs only maraschino liqueur, grapefruit juice, and your favorite gin to create a whirlwind of flavors in this super-simple yet dynamic cocktail.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz dry gin
• 0.75 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice
• Grapefruit slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine gin, maraschino liqueur, and grapefruit juice in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
4. Garnish with a slice of pink grapefruit.

Tip: Pink grapefruit is less bitter than yellow and creates a prettier, more balanced cocktail.

The Red Hook

Brooklyn-born, rye-powered, completely beguiling.

Named for the small Brooklyn neighborhood, the Red Hook fuses rye whiskey with maraschino liqueur and Punt e Mes, a bitter Italian vermouth. Bittersweet and full of peppery spice, the Red Hook captures the same vibrant, gritty energy of its namesake neighborhood.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.5 oz Punt e Mes (or other Italian bitter vermouth)
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add rye, maraschino liqueur, and Punt e Mes to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Tip: Punt e Mes is the key here. Its bittersweet complexity is what separates this drink from a simple Manhattan riff.

The Tuxedo No. 2

The most elegant gin martini variation you have never tried.

The Tuxedo No. 2 is a fantastic riff on the classic gin martini made with dry gin, dry vermouth, absinthe, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, and a lemon twist. It sounds complex, but the result is impossibly smooth.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz dry gin
• 1.5 oz dry vermouth
• 1 barspoon Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 1 barspoon absinthe
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
4. Express a lemon twist over the surface and use it as garnish.

Tip: The barspoon quantities are intentional. Absinthe and maraschino are supporting roles here, not leads.

The Coronation Cocktail

Posh, sherry-forward, and perfectly autumnal.

The Coronation cocktail features earthy sherry and herby vermouth, plus a layer of orange to tie it together. It looks perfectly posh with a citrus twist.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz fino sherry
• 1.5 oz dry vermouth
• 0.25 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine sherry, vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
4. Express an orange peel over the surface and garnish.

Tip: This is a low-ABV cocktail thanks to the sherry base, perfect for a long, leisurely brunch.

Cherry Blossom Gin Fizz

Pink, floral, and absolutely gorgeous on a table.

This modern favorite uses maraschino liqueur alongside rose water for a drink that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Think spring garden party in a glass.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz gin
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 tsp rose water
• 2 oz club soda
• Maraschino cherry and edible flowers for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add gin, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, and rose water to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 12 seconds.
3. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
4. Top gently with club soda.
5. Stir once and garnish with a cherry and edible flowers if desired.

Tip: A little rose water goes a long way. Use a measured half teaspoon, not a splash.

The Royal Hawaiian

A tropical escape in every single sip.

The Royal Hawaiian cocktail whisks you away to paradise after just one sip. The orgeat syrup is lightly nutty and sweet with a delightful orange finish, and it pairs beautifully with cherry.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz dry gin
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.5 oz orgeat syrup
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• Pineapple frond and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with a pineapple frond and cherry.

Tip: Homemade or quality-brand orgeat makes a significant difference in this drink.

The Improved Whiskey Cocktail

Old Fashioned sophistication, elevated.

The improved whiskey cocktail is a mix between a Sazerac and an Old Fashioned, and it just may be your new favorite whiskey cocktail. Maraschino adds a beautiful cherry undercurrent beneath the warm rye.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 0.25 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.25 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash absinthe
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rinse a chilled rocks glass with a small dash of absinthe (swirl and discard excess).
2. In a mixing glass with ice, combine rye, maraschino liqueur, simple syrup, and bitters.
3. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Strain into the prepared rocks glass over a large ice cube.
5. Express a lemon twist over the top.

Tip: The absinthe rinse is subtle but crucial. It gives the drink an anise perfume that elevates everything.

The Fancy Free

*Bourbon, cherries, and bitters. Pure comfort.

This warming bourbon cocktail features maraschino liqueur alongside aromatic bitters for a drink that is rich, round, and deeply satisfying on a cool evening.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine bourbon, maraschino liqueur, and both bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 25 to 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Express an orange peel over the top and lay it as garnish.

Tip: This is a fantastic introduction to maraschino for bourbon drinkers. The cherry notes complement bourbon’s vanilla and caramel perfectly.

The Starry Night

Delicate, dreamy, and completely unexpected.

The Starry Night features Chablis wine, poire eau-de-vie, and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur for a delicate pear and aromatic cherry combination over a wine base. Light, ethereal, and perfect for a slow Sunday afternoon.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz Chablis (or other dry white wine)
• 0.75 oz poire eau-de-vie (or pear brandy)
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir gently for 20 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
4. Garnish with a delicate lemon twist.

Tip: This is a lower-ABV option that is endlessly elegant. Serve it before dinner as an aperitivo.

The Casa Blanca

White rum romance in a glass.

The Casa Blanca features light rum, triple sec, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur, creating a sweet but tart flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying. The drink is traditionally served in a cocktail glass, making it ideal for a night out gathering with friends.

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz light rum
• 0.5 oz triple sec
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• Lime wedge and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add rum, triple sec, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well for 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a cherry.

Tip: This cocktail is beautiful served straight up but equally lovely over ice in a rocks glass on hot days.

Bartender Tips for Working with Maraschino Liqueur

Always use Luxardo if you can. While there are other brands available, Luxardo is the gold standard and the one most classic recipes were written around. Its flavor profile is more complex and nuanced than cheaper alternatives.

Use it sparingly in most recipes. Maraschino liqueur is potent. Most classic recipes call for only 0.25 to 0.75 oz, and that small amount carries enormous weight. When in doubt, use less, not more.

Shake with citrus, stir without. If your cocktail contains lemon or lime juice, shake it. If it is all spirits, vermouth, and liqueurs, stir it. The texture difference matters enormously.

Fresh citrus juice is non-negotiable. Maraschino liqueur is a nuanced, quality ingredient. Do not undermine it with bottled juice.

Store your bottle properly. Once opened, maraschino liqueur keeps beautifully for 12 months or more in a cool, dark place. No refrigeration required.

Your Maraschino Liqueur Starter Kit

If you are just beginning your maraschino cocktail journey, start here:

• The bottle: Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur (the one in the wicker bottle)
• Your first cocktail: The Aviation for gin lovers, the Hemingway Daiquiri for rum lovers, the Brooklyn for whiskey lovers
• The garnish: A jar of Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. The real ones, in syrup. Not the neon red kind.
• The tools: A cocktail shaker, a jigger for measuring, a coupe glass (they are prettier than a martini glass and hold everything better)

Final Thoughts

Maraschino liqueur is one of those rare ingredients that makes every cocktail it touches taste more intentional, more sophisticated, and more special. From the floral delicacy of an Aviation to the smoky intrigue of a Division Bell, these 18 maraschino liqueur cocktails cover every mood, every season, and every occasion.

In the 1800s, maraschino was similar to what limoncello and sambuca are today, consumed after a meal. It was very common to find a bottle in most Italian houses. But only after the creation of popular cocktails featuring the liqueur did it experience such a boom.

Now, more than two centuries after that first bottle was filled in Zara, the boom continues. And your glass is the perfect place to be part of it.

Pick up a bottle, gather your ingredients, and start with whichever recipe called to you most in this list. You deserve a drink this good.

Please enjoy responsibly. All cocktail recipes are intended for adults aged 21 and older.

Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Cocktails