Collins Bordeaux Cherries 10OZ

Collins Bordeaux Cherries 10OZ are premium cocktail cherries packed in real-sugar syrup, offering a sophisticated dark-hued garnish in a 10-ounce jar. Produced by Collins, a Chicago-based garnish and mixer company founded in 1934, these cherries stand apart from conventional bright-red maraschino varieties with their deep purple color and rich Bing cherry flavor.

Quick Facts: Size: 10 oz  |  Type: Cocktail Cherry Garnish  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Brand: Collins (est. 1934)

Heritage & Production

Collins Brothers got its start in 1934 on North Clark Street in Chicago, originally selling bottle openers and homemade grenadine before expanding into a full line of garnishes, mixers, and syrups. The company works directly with professional bartenders and sources produce from growers to ensure ingredient quality and flavor integrity. The Bordeaux Cherries are preserved in syrup made with real sugar — not high-fructose corn syrup — resulting in a cleaner, more fruit-forward profile than mass-market maraschino cherries.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet, ripe Bing cherry with a gentle syrupy warmth. There is no artificial candy-like quality — the fruit character comes through naturally.

Taste: The initial bite delivers rich, dark cherry sweetness that transitions into a juicy, full-bodied fruit flavor. The real-sugar syrup supports rather than overwhelms the cherry itself, keeping the profile balanced and not cloying.

Finish: A lingering natural cherry sweetness with a slightly jammy quality. The texture is firm yet yielding — plump and juicy without the rubbery consistency common in cheaper alternatives.

How to Use Collins Bordeaux Cherries

These cherries are designed as a cocktail garnish, and their deep color and rich flavor make them a functional ingredient as well as a visual accent. Drop one or two directly into the glass for drinks that benefit from a touch of dark-fruit sweetness.

• Manhattan: The dark, juicy cherry complements rye whiskey and sweet vermouth without adding artificial color to the drink.
• Old Fashioned: The Bordeaux cherry's Bing flavor integrates naturally with bourbon, bitters, and sugar, adding depth to the classic build.
• Amaretto Sour: The deep cherry sweetness echoes the almond-and-stone-fruit character of amaretto, tying the garnish to the drink's flavor profile.

Beyond cocktails, the cherries and their syrup work well on charcuterie boards, desserts, and ice cream sundaes — reviewers note they are enjoyable to snack on straight from the jar.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with quality cocktail garnishes
• Upgrading Manhattans and Old Fashioneds from standard maraschino cherries
• Gifting alongside a bottle of bourbon or rye for a complete cocktail kit
• Adding a refined finishing touch to desserts and charcuterie spreads

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Collins Bordeaux Cherries taste like? They deliver a rich, natural Bing cherry flavor with balanced sweetness from real-sugar syrup, resulting in a dark, juicy cherry that tastes distinctly of fruit rather than artificial candy.

How do Collins Bordeaux Cherries compare to Luxardo cherries? Both are premium cocktail cherries positioned well above standard maraschino varieties; however, Collins Bordeaux Cherries come in a thinner syrup compared to Luxardo's thick, dense marasca cherry syrup, which some bartenders and home users prefer for cleaner pours and less residual sweetness in the glass.

Are Collins Bordeaux Cherries good for cocktails? Yes — their deep purple hue and firm, juicy texture make them a go-to garnish for spirit-forward cocktails like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned, where a dark cherry adds both visual sophistication and complementary flavor.

Where are Collins Bordeaux Cherries made? Collins is a Chicago, Illinois-based company that has been producing cocktail garnishes, mixers, and syrups since 1934, sourcing produce directly from growers.

What foods pair well with Collins Bordeaux Cherries? They complement aged cheeses on a charcuterie board, work as a topping for vanilla ice cream or chocolate desserts, pair naturally with dark chocolate truffles, and add depth to baked goods like cherry clafoutis or black forest cake.

What sizes do Collins Bordeaux Cherries come in? The standard retail size is the 10-ounce jar, which provides enough cherries for numerous cocktails and garnishing occasions.

Are Collins Bordeaux Cherries worth the price? Collins Bordeaux Cherries position as a mid-premium cocktail cherry — more affordable than Luxardo while delivering a significant upgrade in flavor, texture, and appearance over conventional bright-red maraschino cherries found in grocery stores.

Why Collins Bordeaux Cherries?

In a category long dominated by artificially dyed, bleached-and-recolored maraschino cherries, Collins Bordeaux Cherries represent a straightforward upgrade backed by nearly nine decades of garnish-making experience. The real-sugar syrup and natural dark color translate directly into better-looking, better-tasting cocktails. Their Bing cherry base gives them a genuine fruit character that holds up alongside quality spirits rather than detracting from them. For anyone building or refining a home bar, these cherries close the gap between a good drink and a properly finished one.