Lazzaroni Maraschino 750ML

Lazzaroni Maraschino 750ML is a 25% ABV Italian cherry liqueur made from marasca cherries and their crushed pits, produced in Saronno, Italy. This expression earned a remarkable 97-point Platinum Medal Superlative from the International Review of Spirits in 2014, placing it among the highest-rated maraschino liqueurs available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 25% (50 proof)  |  Origin: Saronno, Italy  |  Cherry Liqueur  |  Distillery: Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli

Production & Heritage

Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli is a long-established Italian producer based in Saronno, a town perhaps better known as the home of amaretto. The maraschino is produced by infusing marasca cherries — a small, sour variety native to parts of Italy and Croatia — along with their crushed pits, which contribute a distinctive bitter-almond character. What sets Lazzaroni's recipe apart from other maraschino producers is the addition of essential oils of lemon, orange, vanilla, and neroli, which create a more complex, rounded bouquet beyond simple cherry sweetness. The base spirit is distilled from molasses, and European beet sugar provides the sweetening, resulting in a moderately sweet liqueur that balances fruit and bitter-pit flavors.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A rich fruit bouquet greets the nose, opening with cherry bubblegum and cordial before moving into floral jasmine tea and delicate spices. Subtle circus peanut and a hint of almond emerge as the aromatics develop.

Taste: The entry is smooth and cherry-forward, with bright marasca fruit sweetness filling the mid-palate alongside light nuttiness. A moderately sweet, medium-to-full body carries tones of woody depth and vanilla, while a bitter-almond undercurrent from the crushed pits keeps the sweetness in check. The balance between tart berry and sugar is well managed at this lower proof point.

Finish: Medium in length and warming, with citrus cream, pepper, orange blossom honey, and pistachio brittle lingering as it fades. A drying almond note closes things out, leaving a clean and slightly bitter impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Lazzaroni Maraschino

Sipping neat or slightly chilled reveals the full aromatic complexity, though this liqueur truly excels as a cocktail ingredient where its cherry and almond character add dimension without overwhelming. A Last Word — equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, lime juice, and maraschino — highlights the liqueur's floral and bitter-almond side against herbal and citrus elements. The classic Aviation benefits from Lazzaroni's slightly fuller body, with the cherry and vanilla notes bridging gin and crème de violette. In a Hemingway Daiquiri, the maraschino's tart cherry sweetness complements grapefruit and lime juice while keeping the drink from veering too dry.

Best For

• Building a serious home cocktail bar with essential classic-era ingredients
• Gifting an avid home bartender who mixes pre-Prohibition cocktails
• Adding depth to dessert preparations like cherry clafoutis or zabaglione
• Exploring the maraschino category alongside Luxardo for a side-by-side tasting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lazzaroni Maraschino taste like? Lazzaroni Maraschino delivers bright marasca cherry sweetness balanced by bitter almond from crushed cherry pits, with secondary notes of vanilla, citrus cream, and delicate floral spice. The Beverage Tasting Institute described it as "a delicious and elegant fruit liquor."

How does Lazzaroni Maraschino compare to Luxardo Maraschino? Both are authentic Italian maraschino liqueurs made from marasca cherries, but Lazzaroni is bottled at 25% ABV compared to Luxardo's 32%, making it lighter in body and lower in alcohol intensity. Lazzaroni's recipe also incorporates essential oils of lemon, orange, vanilla, and neroli, giving it a more overtly floral and rounded profile where Luxardo tends to present a drier, more spirit-driven character.

Is Lazzaroni Maraschino good for cocktails? It is an excellent cocktail ingredient, widely used in classic recipes like the Aviation, Last Word, and Hemingway Daiquiri where maraschino liqueur is specified. Its 25% ABV and moderate sweetness make it easy to integrate without overpowering other ingredients.

Where is Lazzaroni Maraschino made? Lazzaroni Maraschino is produced by Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli in Saronno, a town in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Saronno is historically associated with Italian liqueur production.

What foods pair well with Lazzaroni Maraschino? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry and almond notes directly. Aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano contrast the sweetness with savory, crystalline texture. Almond biscotti echo the pit-driven bitter-almond character. Fresh stone fruits such as peaches or apricots mirror the marasca cherry's tartness. Vanilla panna cotta provides a creamy canvas that lets the cherry and floral notes shine.

What sizes does Lazzaroni Maraschino come in? The standard widely available size is 750ml, which is the most common format found in the market.

Is Lazzaroni Maraschino worth the price? Lazzaroni Maraschino positions as a mid-range maraschino liqueur, typically priced competitively against or slightly below Luxardo. Given its 97-point Platinum Medal from the International Review of Spirits and its versatility in classic cocktails, it represents strong value within the cherry liqueur category.

Why Lazzaroni Maraschino?

The 97-point Platinum Medal Superlative from the 2014 International Review of Spirits places this among the most critically acclaimed maraschino liqueurs on record. Its unique recipe — incorporating essential oils of neroli, orange, lemon, and vanilla alongside the traditional marasca cherry and pit infusion — produces a more layered, aromatic profile than many competitors in the category. At 25% ABV, it sits at a lower proof than most maraschino liqueurs, which gives it an approachable sweetness and makes it particularly forgiving in cocktail ratios. For anyone building a bar around pre-Prohibition and mid-century classics, Lazzaroni Maraschino delivers the authentic cherry-pit character these recipes demand while bringing its own distinctly floral Italian personality.