maraschino cherry

American  

noun

1. a cherry cooked in colored syrup and flavored with maraschino, used to garnish desserts, cocktails, etc.

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maraschino cherry British  

noun

1. a cherry preserved in maraschino or an imitation of this liqueur, used as a garnish

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Etymology

Origin of maraschino cherry

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

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’s easy to track the movement of a Dirty Shirley at a bar: Look for a tall glass of Sprite with a gradient of bright red grenadine and a maraschino cherry floating on top.

From New York Times • May 5, 2022

Pour in cream soda and top with a maraschino cherry.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2021

Imagine a couple scoops of caramel ice cream with butterscotch sauce, toffee crumbles, chantilly cream, and a maraschino cherry on top.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2018

A disgruntled Minute Man with poor aim flung a maraschino cherry in the general direction of Otto’s head.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles