Name: Homemade Cherry Drink Syrup Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16 ounces
Ingredients: 12 ounces pitted dark cherries; 1¼ cup granulated sugar; 1¼ cup water; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Skip the dyes, additives, and artificial flavor in store-bought syrup and instead turn to this homemade Cherry Simple Syrup! Made with just dark pitted cherries, water, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in 40 minutes to deliver a sweet, fresh cherry flavor that you’ll want to put on everything!

You’ll Want To Add This Cherry Syrup To Everything!

Meet the newest addition to my ever-growing collection of Homemade Simple Syrups, Cherry Simple Syrup! This easy-to-make 4-ingredient sweetener is the perfect splash of flavor in cocktails, drizzled over desserts or simply enjoyed in a tall, ice cold glass of club soda!

It’s no secret around here that I LOVE homemade simple syrups! Store-bought flavoring is filled with additives, artificial flavorings, and dyes, making them so that they don’t even compare to the fresh, simple taste in homemade syrups.

Now with this Cherry Simple Syrup you can load up your kid’s sno cones, drizzle it over ice cream, or add a splash into their drinks without fretting over red dye 40. And of course, you can add a splash into your adult beverages as well, a true win-win for all!

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Cherry Simple Syrup Ingredients

Homemade Cherry Simple Syrup is made by simmering down dark pitted cherries with granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. You can use fresh or frozen cherries; the syrup will turn out delicious either way!

The granulated sugar provides sweetness while also giving it a syrupy consistency. Feel free to reduce or add more sugar based on how sweet you want your cherry syrup to be.

Though the lemon juice is optional, I do find it helps to balance the overall flavor of the syrup.

How To Make Simple Syrup With Cherries

Add pitted dark cherries, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice to a pot and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook. Afterward, remove the pot of syrup mixture from the stove and allow it to cool.
Strain the cherry mixture, making sure to squeeze any excess juice from the cherries.
Pour the syrup into a bottle or jar, use a funnel if needed. Allow the syrup to cool completely before transferring it to the fridge.

Frozen Cherries – I found that using frozen cherries is easiest since they come already pitted.
Lemon Juice – Though it’s optional, I do find that lemon juice helps to balance flavor but isn’t necessary. Feel free to omit it if you prefer.
Cherry Pitter – This kitchen tool will save you time if you’re using fresh cherries.
Fine Mesh Strainer – Straining the cherry mixture after it has cooled will ensure a smooth syrup consistency without any chunks. When straining the mixture, be sure to squeeze the cherries to release any trapped juices in them!

How To Store Cherry Syrup

Store homemade Cherry Syrup in a tightly sealed jar or bottle, or an airtight container. Then store the syrup in the fridge to enjoy for up to 2 weeks. However, this homemade syrup can be left out at room temperature for a few days and still be fine.

For longer storage, cherry simple syrup can be frozen. This is also a wonderful way to preserve the flavor from fresh cherries all year long or to get ahead for all the summertime gatherings where you’ll want fresh flavor for dessert toppings and to splash into drinks!

To freeze, first allow the syrup to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Then store the cherry syrup in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How To Use Homemade Cherry Simple Syrup

Drinks – The perfect addition to your wet bar for homemade cocktails! Give a boost of fresh cherry flavor to drinks like this Dirty Soda or a batch of Fruit Punch!
Ice Cream – Drizzle this fruity syrup over a hearty scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream!
Sno Cones – This cherry simple syrup along with my peach, raspberry, orange, and strawberry simple syrup would all be great for sno cones! Making the perfect treat for kids all summer long without all of the food dyes!
Desserts – Soak a poke cake in this cherry syrup or drizzle some over a slice of cheesecake!

Delicious Summer Drink Recipes

Raspberry Iced Tea – A refreshingly sweet drink that’s made with only 4 ingredients!
Blackberry Lemonade – This large batch recipe is a fruity, citrusy drink that’s bursting with flavor!
Creamy Lemonade – A viral TikTok recipe that’s ready to enjoy in just 15 minutes!
Sea Breeze Drink Recipe – Splash your taste buds with this fruity 3-ingredient cocktail
Mermaid Punch – Made with blue raspberry Kool-Aid, lemonade, soda, and pineapple juice, serve it as is or make a version with alcohol!

Ingredients

16 ounces

12 ounces pitted dark cherries (fresh or frozen)
1¼ cup granulated sugar
1¼ cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Steps

Add , , , and if using) to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and let it cool for another 20 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, squeezing any excess juice from the cherries.
Transfer the syrup into a bottle or jar, using a funnel if needed. Let the syrup cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate per ounce of syrup.
If using 16 ounces of frozen cherries, increase sugar and water to 1 1/2 cups each. This will yield about 2 1/2 cups of syrup.
How To Store: Cherry simple syrup is to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or a tightly sealed jar or bottle. The homemade syrup can then be enjoyed for up to 2 weeks. However, leaving it out at room temperature for a couple of days is fine.
How To Freeze Simple Syrup: Once it's cooled, transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. This is a great way to preserve the flavor of those fresh cherries all year long or to get ahead for all of those summertime gatherings where you'll want fresh, delicious flavoring to add to all those fun, warm-weather beverages!