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    Home » Recipes » Simple Syrups

    How to Make Cherry Simple Syrup

    Modified: Mar 25, 2025 · Published: Jul 26, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

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    Sweet Cherry Simple Syrup

    A perfect way to enjoy vibrant cherries when they’re in season in the summer months, sweet Cherry Simple Syrup is easy to make and can be used to craft many delicious drinks to enjoy during a long summer day. 

    Sweet Cherry Simple Syrup
    Jump to:
    • What's in Cherry Syrup
    • How to Make Cherry Simple Syrup (Step by Step)
    • Recipe Tips 
    • What Can I Make with Cherry Simple Syrup? 
    • Frequently Asked Questions 
    • Don’t Miss These Fruity Simple Syrup Recipes 
    • More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love 
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Homemade Cherry Syrup Recipe

    Cherry season is never long enough and fresh cherries are one of my favorite summer foods. So I’ve turned sweet cherries - or bing cherries - into a delicious addition to cocktails and mocktails with this cherry syrup recipe. We’re leaving out the lemon juice so nothing interferes with the summery flavor of the cherries. 

    Made with simple ingredients, homemade cherry syrup has a natural cherry flavor that’s hard to get from store-bought. It’s more subtle and not at all medicinal. This easy cherry syrup tastes fresh and summery. No overly-sweet maraschino cherries here! 

    What's in Cherry Syrup

    Ingredients for cherry simple syrup.
    • Sugar - Choose cane sugar or beet sugar for this recipe.
    • Water - Use filtered water for the best flavor.
    • Sweet Cherries - Either fresh or frozen cherries work in this recipe. You MUST pit the cherries before cooking them in the syrup.

    How to Make Cherry Simple Syrup (Step by Step)

    If using fresh cherries, cut each cherry in half - or use a cherry pitter - and remove the pit. (You can skip this step by using frozen cherries since they’re already pitted, though watch for random pits that may have accidentally made it into the bag.) 

    Combine water, sugar and cherries in a small saucepan over medium heat. 

    A cup of sugar being poured into a pot of water.

    Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. 

    Reduce to low heat and let mixture bubble until it starts to foam, about 5 minutes. 

    Water, sugar, and cherries cooking on the stove in a pot.

    Using a potato masher, smash cherries to release all of their juices. 

    Cooked cherries being mashed in a pot with a potato masher.

    Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. 

    Pour the cooled mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. Discard the cherry pieces. 

    Cherry syrup being strained through a fine mesh sieve placed over a bowl.

    Store your cherry simple syrup in a mason jar or other glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

    Finished cherry syrup in a small pitcher.

    Recipe Tips 

    Make your syrup ahead of time. You want to use cold simple syrup in your mocktails and cocktails, so be sure to make your Sweet Cherry Simple Syrup ahead of happy hour so it has plenty of time to chill in the refrigerator before you craft your drink. 

    Use frozen cherries to skip pitting them. Frozen cherries come already pitted, so you can skip the work of pitting fresh cherries by choosing frozen ones. 

    To create a thicker syrup for ice cream or pancakes, reduce the water in this recipe to ½ cup and cook your syrup over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency. 

    No need to thaw the frozen cherries. If you’re using frozen cherries in this recipe, you do not have to thaw them first. Just add them to the sugar and water straight from the freezer. 

    What Can I Make with Cherry Simple Syrup? 

    Besides creating delicious cherry lemonade and cherry Italian sodas, cherry simple syrup is a key ingredient in these Sparkling Cherry Lime Mocktails. They’ll quickly become one of your favorite summer drinks! 

    Cherry Lime Mocktails

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    How long does simple syrup last in the fridge?

    When kept refrigerated, your cherry simple syrup will last for at least 2 weeks. Discard it if it starts to look cloudy. 

    What can I use instead of sugar? 

    Honey is a delicious substitute in this recipe if you don't want to use white cane sugar. 

    Do I have to pit the cherries before I use them? 

    You should. When crushed, cherry pits release prussic acid, which is also known as cyanide. Obviously it’s a tiny amount per cherry, but it can build up in your syrup. Since this is poisonous, it’s best to remove the pits so there’s no risk of breaking or crushing them as you cook or when you smash the cherries in the syrup. 

    Can I use frozen cherries in this syrup? 

    Absolutely. Because I hate pitting cherries, using frozen sweet cherries is my favorite way to make this syrup. They come already pitted, so you save yourself some work. 

    Can I use tart cherries in this syrup? 

    Using tart cherries or sour cherries will completely change this syrup. If you decide to make this swap, be sure to taste test your simple syrup as you go and adjust the sugar accordingly. 

    Don’t Miss These Fruity Simple Syrup Recipes 

    A pitcher of finished blueberry syrup.
    Homemade Blueberry Syrup
    Homemade Peach Syrup in a bottle.
    Peach Simple Syrup

    More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love 

    • Sparkling Non Alcoholic Peach Sangria
    • Watermelon Strawberry Mocktail with Lime (Non Alcoholic)
    • Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail
    • Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
    • How to Make Hibiscus Simple Syrup for Cocktails and Mocktails

    Print the Recipe Card

    Sweet Cherry Simple Syrup

    Homemade Cherry Syrup Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Made with either fresh or frozen cherries, this sweet Cherry Simple Syrup can be used to craft delicious cherry cocktails and mocktails.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Servings 10 oz

    Equipment

    • Glass Bottles
    • Pint Mason Jar
    • Fine Mesh Strainer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1.5 cups sweet cherries fresh or frozen

    Instructions
     

    • If using fresh cherries, remove the pits. (You can skip this step by using frozen cherries since they’re already pitted.)
    • Combine water, sugar, and cherries in a small pot over medium heat.
    • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
    • Reduce to low heat and let mixture bubble until it starts to foam, about 5 minutes. Using a potato masher, crush the cherries to release all of their juices.
    • Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
    • Pour the cooled mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. Discard the cherry pieces.
    • Store your cherry simple syrup in a mason jar or other glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Cherry syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ounceCalories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.1mg
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    I love when you share my recipes!

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    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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