maraschino

American

[mar-uh-skee-noh, -shee-] / ˌmær əˈski noʊ, -ˈʃi- /

noun

a sweet cordial or liqueur distilled from marascas.

maraschino British

/ -ˈʃiːnəʊ, ˌmærəˈskiːnəʊ /

noun

a liqueur made from marasca cherries and flavoured with the kernels, having a taste like bitter almonds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of maraschino

From Italian, dating back to 1785–95; see origin at marasca, -ine ¹

Vocabulary lists containing maraschino

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Caporale also suggests swapping the traditional maraschino cherry garnish for something more elevated, like a braided twist of citrus peels.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

It also has been used in toaster pastries, maraschino cherries, and some sodas and fruit-flavoured drinks.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2025

Dan: Yeah, the irony of Moira Rose never having an Emmy win and then all of us getting it felt like a really nice maraschino on top of everything.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

Luxardo maraschino liqueur and Pierre Ferrand dry Curaçao round out the drink.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023

“One sarsaparilla for the forlorn redhead. Extra maraschino cherries.”

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023