Chocolate Covered Bourbon Cherries
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Chocolate Covered Bourbon Cherries are soaked in bourbon overnight, then dunked in semi-sweet chocolate for a boozy holiday treat!
Jump To
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you feel like celebrating, this candy is for you! Not only is it quick and easy to make, it's an adult-only treat your friends will love. I guarantee if you give these drunken cherries as gifts, you'll be the hit of the Christmas party!
You'll love the explosion of bourbon flavor followed by the bitterness of semi-sweet chocolate. If you're a wine lover, these cherries taste divine with a glass of dry red wine.
Ingredients You'll Need
There are only 4 ingredients in this recipe, and chances are you already have them in your pantry!
- maraschino cherries - (ad) purchase the stemmed variety
- bourbon - or another liquor of your choice
- semi sweet chocolate chips - can use dark chocolate if desired
- coconut oil - helps the chocolate harden when cooled
How to Make Them
- Drain cherry juice from jar and place in an airtight container. Pour bourbon over cherries and refrigerate overnight.
- Drain alcohol from cherries and reserve for a nice bourbon cocktail or cake recipe. Pat cherries with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30 second intervals until smooth, stirring each time. It usually takes up to 3 minutes.
- Hold the stem of the cherries and dip into the chocolate. You can also use a wooden pick if you can't find stemmed cherries. Use a spoon to help cover the cherries with chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip into the bowl.
- Place chocolate covered cherries onto a parchment lined baking sheet to cool. Refrigerate cherries for one hour to allow chocolate to set.
Can I Use a Different Type of Alcohol?
Sure! These cherries absorb alcohol really well, that's why they're often called tipsy or drunken cherries. You could try vodka, rum, or tequila, but I recommend bourbon because the flavor is hard to beat.
Flavored vodkas are fun to use, especially the white chocolate variety. However you make them, Chocolate Covered Bourbon Cherries are delicious!
Can I Make This Candy Without Alcohol?
Yes, if you have small children at home, I recommend making this candy without alcohol or it will be hard to resist. The alcohol is simply for flavoring and isn't necessary if you want to make a 'shirley temple' version.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Dry cherries before dipping them or the chocolate won't stick.
- Make sure you heat the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time. Longer heating times can cause scorching.
- The coconut oil helps the chocolate set, but it also thins it slightly which allows easier coverage.
- If the chocolate starts to get cold and thicken, just pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to create the proper coating consistency.
- Refrigerate candy after dipping in chocolate to help it set. Store cherries in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if you have any left over!
- When serving this candy, be sure not to stack it in a bowl. It works best in single layers.
More Holiday Treats to Love
- Oyster Cracker Candy
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Salted Chocolate Toffee Bars
- Best Sausage Ball Recipe
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Bark
- Santa's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe Card
Chocolate Covered Bourbon Cherries
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 1 - 16 oz. jar maraschino cherries with stems
- 1 cup bourbon (or liquor of your choice)
- 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
Instructions
- Drain cherry juice from jar. Place cherries in a bowl or airtight container.
- Pour bourbon over cherries until they are covered. Refrigerate overnight.
- Drain bourbon from cherries. Pat cherries with a paper towel to dry.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring each time. Chocolate is ready when it is completely smooth.
- Holding the stem of one cherry at a time, dip it into the chocolate. Use a spoon to help cover the cherries with chocolate.
- Transfer the chocolate covered cherries to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Refrigerate cherries for 1 hour so chocolate will set.
Notes
- This recipe contains alcohol and is intended for ages 21 and over.
- Prep time does not include soaking cherries in bourbon overnight.
- Be sure to dry cherries before dipping in chocolate or it won't stick.
- If chocolate becomes too thick to cover cherries, microwave it again for 30 seconds and stir to thin.
- Store cherries in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If giving as a gift, do not stack or they will stick together.
- View the Google Web Story for Drunken Bourbon Cherries!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!
Can they be frozen.
Hi Becky. I have never tested these by freezing them. I know that chocolate sometimes does not freeze well and can turn chalky, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Can I use white chocolate?
Absolutely! That would be really pretty I think!
Made these Christmas 2021 and they were a Big Hit ! Best Friend even hid some for her Very Own 😄 Making again this Christmas for Snacking Gifts !
Thanks for an Easy Button Recipe 😊
That's awesome, Diane! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
I never like the traditional chocolate covered cherries, but I guarantee I would love these!
I bet you would too Lorna!
Wow! I made these tonight and they turned out fantastic. It’s hard to stop eating them though. 🤗