Collins Stemmed Cocktail Cherries 16OZ

Collins Stemmed Cocktail Cherries 16OZ are maraschino-flavored Royal Anne cherries packaged in a 16-ounce jar, designed as a ready-to-use cocktail garnish. Their intact stems make for clean, elegant presentation in classic and modern cocktails alike.

Quick Facts: Size: 16 oz  |  Cherry Variety: Royal Anne  |  Origin: USA  |  Style: Stemmed Maraschino

Product & Ingredients

Collins is a long-established American bar supplies brand known primarily for cocktail garnishes and mixers. These stemmed cherries are made from Royal Anne cherries — a pale, sweet variety prized for its firm texture — and preserved in a syrup containing corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar alongside citric acid. The cherries are colored with FD&C Red #40 and preserved with sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sulfur dioxide, with both natural and artificial flavoring contributing their maraschino character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A forward sweet cherry fragrance leads, followed by a subtle almond-like note characteristic of maraschino flavoring. The syrup carries a light candied quality.

Taste: The initial bite delivers a familiar maraschino sweetness, giving way to a sour cherry undertone at the center. A faint nuttiness — that signature almond hint — rounds out the flavor. The cherries themselves are rich and deeply colored, almost black in appearance despite beginning as pale Royal Anne fruit.

Texture: Firm enough to hold their shape on a cocktail pick or stem, with a satisfying bite that doesn't dissolve into mush. The syrup is moderately thick and pourable.

How to Use Collins Stemmed Cherries

The stem makes these cherries an intuitive garnish — guests can pluck them directly from the glass without a pick. They are a natural fit for a Manhattan, where the sweet cherry note complements rye or bourbon and vermouth. In an Old Fashioned, the cherry adds color and a touch of fruit sweetness against the bitters and whiskey. They also work well in a Whiskey Sour, providing a visual anchor and a sweet counterpoint to the citrus. For a non-whiskey application, drop one into a Singapore Sling or a Tequila Sunrise where the cherry adds both garnish and a subtle flavor layer to the finished drink.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with essential cocktail garnishes
• Hosting cocktail parties where presentation matters
• Bartenders seeking a reliable, stemmed cherry for classic drinks
• Adding to desserts, ice cream sundaes, or baked goods as a finishing touch

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Collins Stemmed Cherries taste like? They deliver a classic maraschino flavor profile — predominantly sweet with a sour cherry undertone and a subtle hint of almond nuttiness.

How do Collins Stemmed Cherries compare to Luxardo Maraschino Cherries? Luxardo cherries are preserved in marasca cherry syrup without artificial colors or flavors and carry a darker, more complex flavor at a significantly higher price point. Collins cherries use artificial coloring and flavoring but offer a more budget-friendly option for high-volume use in a traditional maraschino style.

Are Collins Stemmed Cherries good for cocktails? Yes — their firm texture, deep color, and intact stems make them a practical and visually appealing garnish for cocktails like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours.

Where are Collins Stemmed Cherries made? Collins Stemmed Cocktail Cherries are a product of the USA, produced under the Collins brand, which specializes in cocktail garnishes and bar accessories.

What foods pair well with Collins Stemmed Cherries? They work on top of ice cream sundaes for a classic parlor-style finish, baked into pineapple upside-down cake for color and sweetness, blended into milkshakes for added fruit flavor, placed atop cheesecake slices as a simple garnish, or served alongside a charcuterie board as a sweet accent next to cured meats and cheese.

What size does the Collins Stemmed Cherry jar come in? This product is available in a standard 16-ounce jar, which is a common size for home and professional bar use.

Are Collins Stemmed Cherries worth the price? Collins positions as a value-tier cocktail cherry, priced well below premium options like Luxardo while delivering the familiar maraschino look and flavor that most drinkers expect in classic cocktails — a practical choice for everyday mixing and entertaining.

Why Collins Stemmed Cherries?

The stemmed format is the key differentiator here — it provides an elegant, functional garnish that requires no cocktail picks or extra tools. Made from Royal Anne cherries, a variety valued for holding its shape in preservation, these deliver the traditional maraschino appearance and flavor that has anchored American cocktail culture for decades. For bartenders and home hosts moving through volume, the 16-ounce jar size offers practical value without committing to a premium artisan price point. They fill a straightforward role: a reliable, recognizable cocktail cherry that looks right in the glass.