Albero d'Oro Marasca Cherries
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Trusted by the World’s Best Bars & Restaurants

Chosen by leading beverage programs and hospitality professionals.

We go through a lot of cocktail cherries, and Albero d’Oro has proven to be the best we’ve ever used. They hold up in service, taste incredible, and our bartenders rave about them. Once we made the switch, there was no going back.

Ryan Baldwin
Beverage Director, The Alston, Chicago, IL

We choose Albero d’Oro cherries for the same reason we select every ingredient with intention: purity, texture, and flavor. Their cherries offer a depth and consistency that enhances our cocktails and complements the standards of our beverage program. A truly exceptional garnish.

Kathleen Hawkins
Beverage Director, Tre Dita (Chef Evan Funke)
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Learn why Marasca is the Superior Choice

The difference between maraschino cherries and marasca cherries lies in their origin, preparation, and quality. Here's a breakdown:

Marasca CHERRIES

Marasca cherries: Premium, natural, minimally processed, used for high-end garnishes.

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  • ORIGIN: A rare variety of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus var. marasca), native to Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia) and parts of Italy and Bulgaria, celebrated for its heritage and authenticity.
  • Quality: These cherries are natural, hand-picked, and renowned for their tart, complex flavor.
  • Flavor: Bold, slightly sour, and rich, with an intensely natural cherry taste.
  • Processing: Minimal. They are often preserved in natural syrup or alcohol to retain their flavor.
  • Use: Traditionally, marasca cherries are used to make maraschino liqueur or preserved whole in syrup for premium garnishes.

MarascHINO CHERRIES

Maraschino cherries: Industrially processed, artificially dyed, and sweetened.

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  • ORIGIN: Derived from sweet cherry varieties like Bing (Prunus avium), grown and processed industrially without regard to region.
  • Quality: Lower quality compared to marasca cherries. Originally, maraschino cherries were made from marasca cherries, but today, most are industrially processed.
  • Flavor: Very sweet and one-dimensional, with less complexity compared to marasca cherries.
  • Processing: Bleached to remove their natural color. Soaked in a brine solution with calcium salts and sulfur dioxide. Recolored (usually bright red) with artificial dyes. Sweetened with corn syrup or other sugars.
  • Use: Commonly used in cheap cocktails, ice cream sundaes, and desserts.

If you're aiming for quality and flavor in cocktails or desserts, marasca cherries are the superior choice! Choose The New Cherry on Top for your golden cherry experience, Albero D’Oro!

Redefining Classics, for Every Sip and Bite

    recipes for Cocktails & cuisine

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    Albero D’Oro Marasca Cherries are bright in color and taste, packed with robust cherry flavor, sealed in a tart and sweet syrup and ready to lead the cherry flavor revolution in your cocktail, pastry or next cherry creation. Indulge in your golden moment with Albero D’Oro Marasca Cherries.

    The Origin of the Word "Marasca"

    The word "marasca" comes from the Italian term for this variety of sour cherry, which itself is derived from the Latin word amarus, meaning "bitter." The name reflects the cherry's signature slightly bitter and tart flavor, distinguishing it from other sweeter cherry varieties. This natural bitterness has made marasca cherries ideal for traditional maraschino liqueurs and other culinary applications that demand depth and complexity. 

    Harvesting and Growth

    The marasca cherry tree takes approximately 3 to 5 years to mature and produce fruit. These cherries are typically harvested during the late spring to early summer, with the peak season falling between June and July. The cherries ripen slowly, allowing their complex flavor profile to fully develop under the Mediterranean sun. This slow maturation contributes to the rich, concentrated taste that sets marasca cherries apart.The process of harvesting marasca cherries is meticulous, often done by hand to ensure that only the ripest and most flavorful fruits are selected. This labor-intensive approach preserves the integrity of the cherries and enhances their premium quality, making them ideal for both culinary and mixology uses.

    A Legacy of Craftsmanship

    The marasca cherry was historically cultivated by Venetian merchants in the 14th century, who recognized its superior flavor for preserving and distilling. Over time, it became a key export of the Adriatic region, cherished for its versatility and use in crafting liqueurs such as maraschino. Unlike artificial or overly sweetened alternatives, the marasca cherry’s natural flavor profile preserves its bold, slightly bitter edge—a hallmark of its authenticity.