Three Olives Cherry 750ML

Three Olives Cherry 750ML is a cherry-flavored vodka distilled from English wheat, bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) in a 750ml format. Widely recognized as the first cherry-flavored vodka on the market when it debuted in 2001, this expression earned 87 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and an A- grade from Drinkhacker, establishing it as a benchmark in the flavored vodka category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35% (70 Proof)  |  Origin: England / Lawrenceburg, Indiana  |  Flavored Vodka  |  Distillery: G&J Greenalls

Production & Heritage

The base spirit for Three Olives Cherry is distilled at the historic G&J Greenalls distillery in Warrington, England, using English wheat and water sourced from Lake Vyrnwy in Wales. The vodka undergoes quadruple distillation and filtration before being shipped to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where natural cherry flavoring is added at the bottling facility. As the first cherry-flavored vodka introduced to the spirits market in 2001, this expression helped pioneer an entire subcategory that dozens of brands have since followed.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A strong, immediately recognizable nose of sweet red cherry dominates, leaning toward maraschino-style cherry character. There is a subtle floral lift beneath the fruit that adds a touch of complexity to the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is soft and sweet, recalling cherry lifesaver candy with a smooth, approachable texture. At mid-palate, the sweetness gives way to a more authentic Bing cherry flavor with good balance between sugary and tart elements. A mild mouth-warming quality builds as the spirit reaches its peak.

Finish: The finish pivots toward tartness, providing a clean counterpoint to the sweeter opening. It fades at moderate length with lingering cherry-skin notes and gentle warmth.

How to Drink Three Olives Cherry

At 35% ABV, this vodka is designed primarily as a mixing spirit rather than a sipper, though it performs well chilled and served neat as a dessert pour. A Cherry Martini is the natural showcase, combining the vodka with a splash of dry vermouth and a maraschino cherry garnish to amplify its core flavor. It also works well in a Cherry Lemonade Cocktail, where the tart finish complements fresh lemon juice and simple syrup for a balanced warm-weather drink. For something richer, try it in a Black Forest Martini with chocolate liqueur and cream, where the cherry character provides a fruity anchor against the dessert-forward profile.

Best For

• Building a home bar focused on flavored vodka cocktails
• Hosting summer gatherings where fruit-forward mixed drinks are in demand
• Introducing friends to flavored vodka with a well-established, critically recognized expression
• Creating cherry-themed dessert cocktails for dinner parties

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Three Olives Cherry taste like? Three Olives Cherry delivers a prominent maraschino and Bing cherry flavor balanced between sweet and tart, with a soft candy-like entry that transitions into a clean, tart finish with mild warmth.

How does Three Olives Cherry compare to Absolut Cherrys? Both are European-distilled cherry vodkas, but Three Olives Cherry uses an English wheat base quadruple-distilled at G&J Greenalls, while Absolut Cherrys is made from Swedish winter wheat in Åhus, Sweden. Consumers frequently place Three Olives on par with Absolut in overall quality, though Three Olives tends to lean more toward a maraschino cherry profile while Absolut Cherrys skews slightly more natural and tart.

Is Three Olives Cherry good for cocktails? Yes — at 35% ABV it is formulated specifically as a mixing vodka, and its pronounced cherry flavor holds up well when combined with citrus, soda, or cream-based cocktail ingredients without disappearing into the drink.

Where is Three Olives Cherry made? The base vodka is distilled at the G&J Greenalls distillery in Warrington, England, using English wheat and Welsh water from Lake Vyrnwy. The natural cherry flavoring is then added at a bottling facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

What foods pair well with Three Olives Cherry? Dark chocolate truffles complement the maraschino sweetness with bitter cocoa contrast. Baked brie with cherry preserves echoes the fruit profile while adding creamy richness. Vanilla panna cotta provides a neutral canvas that lets the cherry shine. Grilled duck breast with cherry reduction creates a savory pairing that mirrors the vodka's fruit character. Almond biscotti bridges nicely with the subtle floral and stone-fruit notes.

What sizes does Three Olives Cherry come in? The standard and most widely available format is the 750ml bottle, though Three Olives products have also been offered in 50ml, 375ml, 1L, and 1.75L sizes depending on market availability.

Is Three Olives Cherry worth the price? Three Olives Cherry positions as a mid-range flavored vodka, sitting above budget options while remaining well below ultra-premium territory. With 87 points from Wine Enthusiast and pioneer status as the first cherry vodka, it delivers strong value relative to its price tier.

Why Three Olives Cherry?

As the original cherry-flavored vodka — launched in 2001 before any major competitor entered the subcategory — Three Olives Cherry holds a unique historical position in the spirits world. Its quadruple-distilled English wheat base gives it a cleaner foundation than many flavored vodkas built on less refined spirits, and the 87-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms that the cherry flavoring is executed with restraint and balance rather than artificial excess. The dual-country production process, combining English distillation with American flavoring and bottling, results in a spirit that balances Old World technique with accessible New World fruit character. For anyone building a flavored vodka collection or seeking a reliable cherry vodka for cocktails, this remains the expression that defined the category.