Boozy Cherry Bombs
These 5-ingredient festive Boozy Cherry Bombs are easy to make, sweet and fruity, and the ultimate red, white, and blue party treat for Memorial Day, July 4th, and any summer gathering.
Summertime is a non-stop celebration in my book — from patriotic holidays, special occasions and weekend barbecues, there’s always reason to celebrate. So these sweet and decadent Boozy Cherry Bombs are the perfect sweet treat to add to your summer BBQ spread, and for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day...but reminder, these are for adults only! Incredibly easy to make in about 20 minutes and prep in advance, these drunken cherries are one my of favorite entertaining hacks for busy summer weekends.
Juicy maraschino cherries are soaked in vodka overnight, then dipped in white chocolate and coated with patriotic sprinkles, making these boozy cherries simply irresistible and oh so festive. They’re perfectly poppable and I just love how their red, white, and blue colors look so adorable on dessert boards and as cocktail garnishes. Enjoy responsibly and cheers to summer!
If you like these fruity treats, try some of these other adult-friendly desserts. We love these rich Dark Chocolate Boozy Cherries and this Boozy Banana Split is a tasty spin on a classic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make With Simple Ingredients: These festive cherries come together with just a few ingredients and minimal prep.
- Perfect for Patriotic Holidays: These are ideal for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and all summer entertaining
- Great Make-Ahead Treat: Easily prep them ahead of time and keep chilled until party time.
- Sweet with a Boozy Twist: Vodka-soaked cherries plus white chocolate is a decadent and irresistible combination.
- Incredibly Cute: With an adorable presentation, these look great on dessert boards, party trays, and as cocktail garnishes. They’re also cute when added to charcuterie boards.
- Crowd-pleasing Recipe: Loved by all (adults only!), these are guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear at any summer gathering.
Ingredients
- Maraschino Cherries: Sweet and juicy, use cherries with stems for easier dipping and serving.
- Vodka: Plain vodka works best, but whipped cream vodka or vanilla vodka are also delicious.
- White Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers: Helps to create a creamy white coating around the cherries.
- Coconut Oil: Optional, but helps thin the chocolate for easier dipping.
- Patriotic Sprinkles: Red, white, and blue sprinkles make these perfect for patriotic holidays.
How to Make Boozy Cherries
1. Drain the maraschino cherries and gently pat them dry with paper towels. Place the cherries into a bowl or jar and pour the vodka over the top until the cherries are fully covered.
2. Cover and refrigerate the cherries for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for stronger boozy flavor.
3. Remove the cherries from the vodka and place them on paper towels. Pat them very dry so the white chocolate coating sticks properly.
4. Add the white chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
5. Hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the melted white chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.
6. Immediately top the cherries with patriotic sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
7. Place the dipped cherries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
8. Refrigerate the cherries for 15–20 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is fully set.
9. Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.
Expert Tips
- Dry The Cherries Well: This is key for getting the chocolate to stick.
- Add Coconut Oil: Add a small amount to the melted chocolate to keep it smooth and thin.
- Work Quickly with the Sprinkles: Add them swiftly before the chocolate starts to set.
- Use a Tall Narrow Glass For Dipping: This will help make coating the cherries easier.
- Refrigerate Until Chocolate is Fully Set: Chill them until they’ve hardened and set before serving or plating. They’re best served chilled anways.
- Make Them Family Friendly: Make a non-alcoholic version the kids can enjoy too — just skip soaking the cherries in vodka.
Ways To Serve Boozy Cherries
You can serve these cherries so many different ways and they’re all showstoppers. Here are a few of our favorite ideas.
- Arrange on a patriotic dessert board
- Use as cocktail garnishes
- Place in mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go
- Add to a charcuterie board alongside chocolate, cheese, and crackers
- Pair with the no-bake berry trifle, a patriotic berry trifle and caprese salad for a full patriotic spread
Variations
- Try Another Liquor: Swap vodka for rum, amaretto, or champagne for different flavor profiles.
- Use Different Chocolate: Try dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for another sweet flavor and presentation.
- Add Sprinkles: Use different sprinkle colors for other holidays — orange and black are great for Halloween, red and pink are sweet for Valentine’s day, and red and green are perfect for Christmas, etc.
Storage
Once the cherries are dipped and set, store them in an airtight container in the fridge where they’ll keep for 1-2 days. Enjoy them quickly though, they’re best served within those 1-2 days for the best texture. And keep them refrigerated until ready to serve so the chocolate doesn’t soften.
You can prep these in advance — the cherries themselves can soak in vodka up to 24-48 hours in the fridge and actually taste better the longer they sit.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the best flavor, soak them at least 4 hours. However, overnight soaking gives them a stronger boozy flavor and juicier texture.
Vodka is the most popular because it lets the cherry flavor shine, but rum, bourbon, or flavored vodkas also work great.
No, unfortunately not, as they’re made with vodka. These are an adults only treat. If you want to make them family friendly so the kids can enjoy too, just skip soaking them in vodka so they’re non-alcoholic.
These are perfect for prepping ahead since the the cherries can soak in the vodka up to 48 hours in advance. But once dipped, we recommend eating them within 1-2 days.
If your cherries are too wet or haven’t been patted dry, the chocolate won’t stick.
More July 4th Recipes
Patriotic Boozy Cherries
Ingredients
- 1 10-ounce jar maraschino cherries with stems, drained
- 1 cup vodka
- 12 ounces white chocolate melting wafers or white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil optional, for smoother melting
- 1/4 cup patriotic red white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
- Drain the maraschino cherries and gently pat them dry with paper towels. Place the cherries into a bowl or jar and pour the vodka over the top until the cherries are fully covered.
- Cover and refrigerate the cherries for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for stronger boozy flavor.
- Remove the cherries from the vodka and place them on paper towels. Pat them very dry so the white chocolate coating sticks properly.
- Add the white chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
- Hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the melted white chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Immediately top the cherries with patriotic sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
- Place the dipped cherries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
- Refrigerate the cherries for 15–20 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is fully set.
- Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Once the cherries are dipped and set, store in an airtight container in the fridge where they’ll keep for 1-2 days. Enjoy them quickly though, they’re best served within those 1-2 days for the best texture. And keep them refrigerated until ready to serve so the chocolate doesn’t soften.
- Prep these in advance — the cherries themselves can soak in vodka up to 24-48 hours in the fridge and actually taste better the longer they sit.
- Soaking the cherries overnight gives them the best boozy flavor.
- Be sure to dry the cherries well before dipping to help the chocolate stick smoothly.
- White chocolate melting wafers work best because they melt easier and create a smoother coating.
- You can use vanilla vodka, whipped cream vodka, cherry vodka, rum, or bourbon for fun flavor variations.
