Cherry Syrup

Oct 9, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Pantry Sauces syrups glazes Vanilla: Extract Easy

A small glass bottle of cherry syrup with a pour spout, beside an iced latte sweetened with it

Dark sweet cherries simmered and strained into a deep red syrup, with lemon to brighten it and a drop of almond to bring out the cherry flavor.

Prep 10 min

Cook 12 min

Cooling 15 min

Total 37 min

Servings 14

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (310.0 g)pitted dark sweet cherries, fresh or frozen, halved
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)water
1.0 cup (200.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)fresh lemon juice
½ tsp (2.5 ml)pure vanilla extract
⅛ tsp (0.6 ml)pure almond extract (optional)

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Instructions

Combine the cherries, water and sugar in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, mashing the cherries as they soften.
Remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the fruit to release the juice.
Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla and almond extract, cool and refrigerate in a clean bottle.

Tips

Black cherries and Bing cherries give the darkest color and fullest flavor.
Cherry and almond come from the same family of flavors; a tiny bit of extract makes the cherry taste stronger.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cherry syrup?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 12 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to rest. The recipe makes about 1 3/4 cups (14 servings).

How should I store cherry syrup?

Refrigerate in a clean, airtight bottle for up to 2 weeks, or freeze in an ice-cube tray for up to 3 months.

Can I make cherry syrup ahead?

Make it up to 2 weeks ahead, or freeze it in cubes.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract (2.5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Dark sweet cherries simmered and strained into a deep red syrup, with lemon to brighten it and a drop of almond to bring out the cherry flavor.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 14 servings this recipe makes.

70 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

17.9g Carbs

0.3g Protein

17.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (14 servings): ~980 cal · 0g fat · 251g carbs · 4g protein · 241g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.