Buzzed Cherry Bombs –
Here it is by popular demand, a full post on how to make Buzzed Cherry Bombs. I originally posted the photo and instructions you see above on Facebook. Readers went gaga for them and shared the post more than 90,000 times. Thank you all!
My inbox has been full of questions. This step-by-step photo tutorial takes care of the most common ones. When you make these alcohol soaked cherries dipped in candy you’ll be the most popular guest at your next barbecue.
How do I soak the cherries?
Just drain the juice out of a bottle of maraschino cherries and replace it with vanilla vodka. You will taste the vodka in these so use a good quality brand. I like the smooth feel of Stoli. Pop the lid back on and let them soak. The longer they sit, the stronger they will taste. At minimum, soak them overnight. Last time I made these, I soaked them for 48 hours and got rave reviews.
What if I don’t like vanilla vodka?
While this recipe calls for vanilla vodka, you can use any flavor you like; chocolate, whipped cream, cherry, absolutely anything you’re into. If you’re not into vodka, choose a different liquor. Spending time in the kitchen should be fun so let your inner bartender shine and get as creative as you want.
What if I can’t have alcohol or want to serve these to kids?
You can make virgin cherry bombs! Instead of alcohol, add a teaspoon or two of vanilla to the jar with the cherries and cherry juice. Let that soak for 12-48 hours. Then dip them in vanilla chips and sprinkles as the recipe instructs. You’ll get a nice cherry-vanilla flavor and the fun patriotic look without the buzz.
After your cherries have their buzz, it’s time to get them out of the pool. Gently pat them dry. You just want to get the surface liquid off, not suck all the liquid out of them.
Speaking of liquid, you don’t have to send the soaking liquid down the drain. You can save it! While the vodka infuses the cherries, the cherries also infuse the vodka. So, you end up with cherry vanilla martini shots for you and your friends to enjoy while you dip the fruit.
Next, set up a dipping station with your cherries, melted chips, and sugar.
Dunk your cherries into melted vanilla chips. You just need a thin layer to make the sprinkles stick. If there’s too much candy, the sprinkles get gloppy. So let the excess drip off. You can spin the cherry by the stem to speed things along.
What are vanilla chips? Can I use something else?
Vanilla chips are like chocolate chips without the chocolate. I used Hershey’s baking pieces
Milk and dark chocolate dips also tastes great. However, the color of the sprinkles doesn’t pop quite as well with those.
How do I melt the chips?
Place the vanilla chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave them at half power for thirty seconds. Stir well. Do this repeatedly until your candy is nice and smooth.
Dunk each cherry in blue decorating sugar.
Can I use different sprinkles?
Sure! You can use any type of sprinkles in any color you choose. The blue looks great for a Fourth of July picnic but you could switch it up to match any holiday (think green for Christmas) or even your favorite sports team or college colors.
Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. Set the drunk cherries their to dry.
There you have it, a buzzed cherry bomb. It’s an adorable red, white, and blue dessert shot that kind of looks like a Pepsi logo. That makes me wonder how these would taste soaked in cola. How do cherry cola bites sound? Might have to try that.
Now for the really hard part, try not to eat them all before you get to the party (or before your guests arrive if you’re hosting).
Side note – I got that sweet little bucket in the $1 section at Target. I love Target! The only problem is I go in for one thing and leave with 15. Anyone else?
I don’t like cherries. Can I use a different fruit?
Yes. You can soak all sorts of fruit in alcohol (you just wouldn’t be able to call them cherry bombs). If you don’t like maraschino cherries, you can use fresh cherries. They just won’t have that bright red color.
Update: I now have a buzzed strawberry recipe posted for you.
If you’re interested in trying something a little different you might also like my Chocolate Covered Champagne Strawberries.
Cheers!
If you have a question I didn’t answer, feel free to drop me a note in the comment section at the bottom of the page. That’s also a great spot to share the flavor and color combinations you come up with.
If you like these, you might like some of my other recipes too! To make sure you don’t miss out on any fun, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. You can also sign up for a free email recipe subscription.
- One (ten ounce) jar maraschino cherries
- 1 cup vanilla vodka
- 1 cup melted vanilla chips (you can also use white chocolate or candy melts)
- 1/2 cup blue sugar sprinkles
- Drain juice from cherries. Pour vodka over cherries in jar. Let sit 12-48 hours.
- Gently pat cherries dry. Dip in melted chips. Dip in sprinkles. Places on wax paper covered baking sheet to set.
- Serve within 24 hours.
- The longer your cherries soak, the stronger the alcohol taste in them will be.
Kate @ Framed Cooks
June 8, 2015 at 7:57 am (5 years ago)OK, it’s not even 8am and I can already tell this is going to be my favorite recipe of the day. Delicious and adorable, and I absolutely DO like all those ingredients so I am all set! 🙂
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 8, 2015 at 8:26 am (5 years ago)Thanks Kate!
If you start soaking at 8a.m. you could be eating them by this evening!
Tammy
June 11, 2015 at 5:40 am (5 years ago)How long will the cherries be good for in fridge after dipped in the white chips. If I make today for event on Saturday, will they still be good.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 11, 2015 at 9:46 am (5 years ago)Hi Tammy,
By Saturday they may start to weep. Chocolate covered fruit is usually best within 24 hours. If you have to make them earlier, please let me know how they end up so other readers can see. Enjoy your event!
Tony
June 11, 2015 at 7:53 pm (5 years ago)Once you open the jar of Cherries and replace the juice with the Vodka, do you have to store in the Fridge? Or is out on the counter OK?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 11, 2015 at 8:53 pm (5 years ago)Hi Tony,
I always err on the side of food safety and put them in the fridge. Enjoy!
Alison Lewis (@alisonlewis)
June 20, 2015 at 4:29 pm (5 years ago)so cute!! I am sharing on my instagram!!!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 20, 2015 at 4:40 pm (5 years ago)Thank you, Alison!
AJ
June 21, 2015 at 9:59 pm (5 years ago)These are so cute, I will try for 4th of July. I’m going to do the kid friendly version.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 24, 2015 at 10:48 pm (5 years ago)I’m sure the kids will love them, AJ!
Brittany
July 4, 2015 at 4:10 am (5 years ago)I am also doing these for the 4th of july! They are so cute and perfect for the 4th!
Chelsey
June 24, 2015 at 10:41 pm (5 years ago)After the are dipped and ready to be eaten do you store them in the fridge again until ready to be served?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
June 24, 2015 at 10:48 pm (5 years ago)I have no problem leaving them out for a few hours. If it’s going to be longer than that, you should put them in the fridge.
Karen
July 1, 2015 at 1:47 pm (5 years ago)Making these for a 4th of July party.
How many do you get out of one jar?
Thanks KO
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm (5 years ago)Hi Karen,
That depends on the brand you’re using. Usually, you’ll get about 20.
Sue Bresler
July 1, 2015 at 6:07 pm (5 years ago)Instead of white melted chips can you use vanilla almond bark?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 1, 2015 at 6:47 pm (5 years ago)You sure can, Sue!
Chris Hall
July 1, 2015 at 6:25 pm (5 years ago)Love this! But my question, all the jarred cherries, most don’t have the stems and I don’t want to use fresh ones…someone will end up breaking a tooth! Lol…So any certain brand that has stems?
Can’t wait o make these!!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 1, 2015 at 6:55 pm (5 years ago)My local family supermarket brand has stems. Daily Chef (Sam’s), Market Pantry (Target), Great Value (Walmart), all have varieties with stems. Sometimes stores keep the jars with stems near the ice cream sundae supplies. If you can’t find them near you, you can use a sturdy toothpick or candy fork to help with your dipping.
Sue Bresler
July 1, 2015 at 7:57 pm (5 years ago)I found mine in the baking section of my local grocery store. But, I also saw jars of them at liquor and wine stores
Shannon Pesti
July 1, 2015 at 9:26 pm (5 years ago)Just made them, excellent idea! It can be complicated, but few simple tricks… Job accomplished!
One tip: after dipped the cherries in vanilla dip, you probably will get a “tail” hanging at bottom…
If so,
Turn cherry upside down (holding stem) very carefully. And lightly shake in small circle motion. This will distribute the “extra tail” part so you end up with flat surface to dip in sprinkles!
Good luck! They turn out beautiful!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 1, 2015 at 9:30 pm (5 years ago)Thank you for sharing your tip, Shannon!
laura
July 2, 2015 at 1:07 am (5 years ago)Can someone tell me where you got the blue sprinkles?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 8:45 am (5 years ago)Laura, I got mine at a grocery store. If yours doesn’t have them you can find them at a craft store like AC Moore or Michaels.
Sherru
July 2, 2015 at 11:32 pm (5 years ago)You can make your own. Just add food coloring to sugar in a Baggie…mix and then spread on cookie sheet to dry.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 8:27 am (5 years ago)Great idea, Sherru!
elena
July 2, 2015 at 9:20 am (5 years ago)These are so cute! Going to make them for July 4th. Could they be soaked in rum instead of vodka? Also, they don’t get mushy?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 10:29 am (5 years ago)Hello Elena,
You could definitely use rum instead. I’ve never heard anyone have a problem with them getting mushy. Enjoy your holiday!
Mandy
July 2, 2015 at 11:16 am (5 years ago)I’ve got my cherries soaking in citrus vodka, and then I plan on using that vodka in the red jello for the jello shots I’m going to make! ! Thank you so much for this adorable idea! Have a safe and fun 4th 🙂
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 12:56 pm (5 years ago)That sounds great, Mandy!
Kelli
July 2, 2015 at 1:54 pm (5 years ago)Do you refrigerate the cherries while they soak in the vodka?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 1:57 pm (5 years ago)Hi Kelli,
I usually do.
Connie
July 2, 2015 at 2:05 pm (5 years ago)If you use fresh cherries do you take the pit out before you soak them?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 3:39 pm (5 years ago)Connie,
That’s up to you. If you don’t pit them, be sure to remind people the pits are still in there!
Kelli
July 2, 2015 at 2:31 pm (5 years ago)Thank you!! For 2 jars of cherries do u need 1 or 2 bottles of vodka? Sorry for all the questions
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 3:40 pm (5 years ago)Hi Kelli,
That depends on what size bottle of vodka you buy. Most full-size bottles will fill at least two jars.
Bonnie
July 2, 2015 at 4:41 pm (5 years ago)Making mine tomorrow for campground party sat.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 4:42 pm (5 years ago)Enjoy your party!
Michelle
July 2, 2015 at 7:27 pm (5 years ago)I’m planning to make them tonight for Saturday. Hopefully it’s not to early since I won’t have time tomorrow. I don’t have wax paper but I hope parchment paper will work the same.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 10:54 pm (5 years ago)Parchment paper will work fine, Michelle. The cherries may weep a little by Saturday but they’ll still taste good!
Marie
July 2, 2015 at 10:58 pm (5 years ago)I’m excited to make these for our Saturday barbecue! There’s a lot of people, so I think I want to make three jars with three different flavors of liquor. I’d love to use amaretto in one of them… but do you think the dark liquor will discolor the cherries too much? Thanks!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 2, 2015 at 11:07 pm (5 years ago)That sounds fun, Marie! I think amaretto would be delightful.
Teressa
July 3, 2015 at 8:50 am (5 years ago)I tried this and the white chips either don’t melt, they burn, they separate, turn brown and will not stay melted….I tried microwave, sitting bowl inside another bowl of hot water to to keep it warm….nothing works. I was so excited and now I’m so disappointed.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 9:38 am (5 years ago)I’m sorry to hear you are having trouble with your white chips. If microwaving them at half power thirty seconds at a time isn’t working, your microwave might be running hot. Try doing 15 second intervals instead. Place the chips in a small bowl. Microwave at half power for 15 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Do this repeatedly until the chips are nice and soft. You want to finish the melting while stirring, not while microwaving.
If you don’t like working with the vanilla chips, candy melts are an excellent option. Ghirardelli makes fantastic melts and Wilton’s work well too. White almond bark is another option.
Karen
July 4, 2015 at 12:15 pm (5 years ago)Iam also having a issue.I dip maybe 6 cherred and my chocolate hardens up .grr
Stephanie
July 3, 2015 at 9:15 am (5 years ago)How did you find blue sprinkles/sugar/crystals like that?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 9:39 am (5 years ago)I found mine in the grocery store. If yours doesn’t have any, try your local craft store.
Desiree
July 3, 2015 at 10:44 am (5 years ago)Ahh these are so cute and simple, I wish I had allowed myself more time to make these. I have made drunk cherries though, and they’re great with Fireball, for those who aren’t crazy about vodka 😉
Jeanie
July 3, 2015 at 3:06 pm (5 years ago)If I don’t have vanilla vodka can I add a bit of vanilla to my vodka??
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 3:18 pm (5 years ago)Yes, Jeanie. You sure can!
Kelly
July 3, 2015 at 6:46 pm (5 years ago)I have my cherries soaking as we speak. I will make them tomorrow morning. I couldn’t find blue sugar sprinkles anywhere. Everyone must be making these. LOL. I made my own blue sugar….so simple. I just took white sugar, added a few drops of blue food coloring, left it out on a cookie sheet to dry over night, and now have the colored sugar.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 7:02 pm (5 years ago)That was very resourceful, Kelly!
h
July 3, 2015 at 7:25 pm (5 years ago)I’m assuming I will need to reheat the chocolate to not harden while dipping? Also, about how long does it take for the cherries to set after dipped and I can put in refrigerator?
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 3, 2015 at 7:30 pm (5 years ago)Hi there,
I have never had to reheat the chocolate. The dipping goes pretty quickly. They harden within 20 minutes. You can put them in the fridge to speed things up.
jen
July 4, 2015 at 4:13 am (5 years ago)Can you use vanilla frosting as well? I’m making these tomorrow and am trying that!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 4, 2015 at 6:33 am (5 years ago)I think you could use frosting but I imagine it would get kind of messy. If you do, please let me know how it works out.
Layla
July 4, 2015 at 8:12 am (5 years ago)I started soaking the cherries in Cherry Whipped vodka last night for use today and then like Mandy, will use the infused vodka for a batch of jello shots. So excited to jump out of my jello shot realm and try something new. Thanks for posting!
Cathy
July 4, 2015 at 12:39 pm (5 years ago)I hadnt seen the recipe in awhile and forgot what you used for dipping….i am going to use a combo of cool whip and cream cheese for a take on cherry cheesecake. Hope it works. Also, am only going to be able to soak them for about 5 hours. Last minute decission to make them.
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
July 11, 2015 at 5:00 pm (5 years ago)Hi Cathy,
How did that work out for you?
Michele
July 12, 2015 at 3:25 pm (5 years ago)AWESOME- I am so doing this next Independence Day- thanks for the idea – cute pics, too! Yay!
mbmayes
September 7, 2015 at 5:48 am (4 years ago)I will be making these for Christmas, but with green sprinkles. ?
Derek
December 23, 2015 at 9:24 pm (4 years ago)I swapped out the blue for green for Christmas and called them The Grinch’s Balls! So yummy!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
December 25, 2015 at 8:30 pm (4 years ago)How fun! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Colleen Matlick 1momRN
December 31, 2015 at 4:50 pm (4 years ago)Love your recipe, and the ideas of others. Thanks !!!
Laurie @ FrostingAndASmile
January 1, 2016 at 10:36 am (4 years ago)Thank you! Happy New Year!