You are in for a treat! This simple recipe for a Cherry Bomb drink is “the bomb”! Fresh cherries muddled with rich bourbon, vanilla, lemon juice, a surprise ingredient and a splash of club soda make the ultimate Cherry Bourbon Smash, saved over 36,000 times!
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Why You Will Love These Cherry Cocktails
- Adapt for everyone! Leave out the bourbon for a cheery, cherry drink!
- Surprise Ingredient: Adding a touch of maple syrup, lightly sweetens this naturally sweetened drink with a beautiful hint of fall flavors.
- In Demand: Every time I make this drink, I am asked for this recipe! It’s that good and so easy too!
I was trying to figure out what to name this cocktail, which is a “Cherry Vanilla” but also contains maple syrup.
Perhaps “Cherry Maple Vanilla Cocktail“, though it’s made with bourbon as well, “Maple Cherry Vanilla Bourbon Cocktail” that’s a bit long.
Then I asked my husband if he wanted a drink last week and he said, “Yes, can you make that Cherry Bomb drink again!?” A drink is born! It’s also known as a Cherry Bourbon Smash!
Cherry Bomb Drink Ingredients
- Fresh Cherries: While you can use frozen cherries, I encourage you to try with fresh. The flavor is out of this world!
- Bourbon: If you make the alcoholic version, you will need a good smokey bourbon. For a lighter taste, try cherry vodka or regular vodka.
- Maple Syrup adds just a touch of sweetness to the drink, with a hint of maple. Many stores now carry bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup.
- Vanilla Extract: Nobody thinks to put vanilla in drinks, but it adds amazing depth — I love using Bourbon Vanilla!
- Lemon Juice: A splash of citrus is the perfect enhancer for this drink!
- Club Soda: Top it all off with a little bubbly, no-calorie club soda!
- Garnish: I personally love using real cherries for garnish, but if you prefer, use maraschino cherries or Luxardo cherries.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cherry Bombs
I love fresh seasonal cocktails, like this Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule or this Grapefruit Basil Vodka Smash. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I concocted this perfect late summer cocktail.
Using in-season, fresh* cherries, bursting with amazing flavor, encouraging their dark red juice and flavors to mix with wee dram of bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla and club soda.
The perfect way to end a long, hot summer day. *Frozen cherries may be substituted!
- Cut or pit about ⅓ of a cup of fresh cherries and place into an old fashioned glass. Use equal amounts of frozen (slightly thawed) cherries.
2. Pour the bourbon over the cherries…
3. …and then the vanilla, I used my homemade bourbon vanilla, either is fine! (That big bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon is my homemade bourbon vanilla – oh yeah)!
4. Then add maple syrup…
5. Finally, the fresh lemon juice.
6. Grabbing a muddler or the end of a thick wooden spoon, gently smash the cherries with the liquids, releasing their juices and flavors.
I don’t mind the bits of cherries left behind, but if you don’t like that, then now is the time to strain the mixture into a clean glass.
7. Filling your glass with ice (I used my Ninja smoothie blender to crush the ice)
8. Top off the glass with club soda, using a spoon gently stir and bring up some of the cherries to the top for a delicious, refreshing, stunning Cherry Cocktail!!
For Mocktail Cherry Bombs
This makes a refreshing and vibrant Cherry Maple Mocktail! Omit the bourbon and adding a bit more cherries/juice and club soda for a slightly different take on a Shirley Temple drink. Or try using Sprite or another lemon-lime soda or sparkling water instead of Club Soda.
Cherry Bomb Recipe Variations
There are so many easy ways to change up this Cherry Bomb Drink depending on what you have on hand or the flavors you love. Here are a few variations and liqueur swaps to try:
- Try a Cherry Liqueur: Swap the vodka or bourbon for rum or a cherry liqueur like Cherry Heering or Luxardo. It really amps up the cherry flavor and adds a rich, slightly sweet finish.
- Use Amaretto: A splash of amaretto pairs beautifully with the cherries, giving the drink a subtle almond note—almost like a cherry almond dessert in a glass.
- Citrus Boost: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to brighten the drink and balance the sweetness. A little citrus really makes those cherry flavors pop.
- Cherry Bomb Mocktail: Want to keep it alcohol-free? Swap the booze for sparkling water, lemonade, or ginger ale. You’ll still get that bold cherry flavor without the alcohol.
- Garnish Ideas: While fresh cherries steal the show, a splash of grenadine or a maraschino cherry garnish is totally optional if you love that classic cocktail look.
Tips for Making a Cherry Bomb Shot
Want to turn this into a fun Cherry Bomb Shot? It’s super easy and perfect for parties, game nights, or just mixing things up:
- Use chilled ingredients for a smoother shot. I like to pop my vodka, bourbon, or liqueur in the freezer ahead of time—it really makes a difference.
- Muddle or blend the cherries well and strain to pack in all that fresh cherry flavor without leaving big chunks in your shot glass.
- Skip the club soda when making this as a shot—you’ll want that flavor nice and concentrated.
- Adjust the maple syrup to taste. Since it’s served as a shot, you might want it a little sweeter or dial it back depending on how sweet your cherries are.
- Add a splash of energy drink if you’re going for that classic “bomb shot” vibe—but it’s totally optional. I personally love keeping it fresh and simple.
- Garnish with a cherry if you want to dress it up. A simple skewer or just drop one in—it’s a fun finishing touch.
- Whether you sip it slow or toss it back, this Cherry Bomb is all about those bold, fresh cherry flavors!
I hope you have loved this cherry bomb, cherry bourbon smash or whatever you want to call it! It’s one of our favorites!
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup fresh cherries pitted and sliced (or frozen may be substituted)
- 1 – 1.5 oz bourbon omit for mocktail
- ½-1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Or try bourbon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Ice cubes or crushed ice
- Club soda
Instructions
- Cut or pit about ⅓ of a cup of fresh (or frozen) cherries and place into an old fashioned glass.⅓ cup fresh cherries
- Pour the bourbon over the cherries and then the vanilla, I made homemade vanilla using a bottle of bourbon, so this was bourbon vanilla, either is fine.1 – 1.5 oz bourbon, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Then add in maple syrup, lemon juice and using a muddler or the end of a thick wooden spoon, gently smash the cherries with the liquids, releasing their juices and flavors.½-1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Fill glass with ice (I used my Ninja blender and crushed ice), top off the glass with club soda, using a spoon gently stir and bring up some of the cherries to the top for a delicious, refreshing, stunning cocktail or mocktail.Ice cubes or crushed ice, Club soda
Notes
Nutrition
Sheri
This was our “theme” cocktail for a recent camping trip to Door County WI which is known for their cherries so we named it our “Door County Bourbon Smash”. Everyone loved it! We used less syrup and Sprite instead of the club soda. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thank you so much Sheri, so glad you loved it and even came up with a name for it! And I love your twist on it!
Jules
We love this drink! Maybe a little too much LOL! The fresh cherries with the bourbon is so smooth!
Jennifer Stewart
The cherries are my fave and work so well with bourbon! CHEERS!
Thank you my friend!
Jennifer Stewart
Erin
I’ve been on the hunt for a wonderfully balanced bourbon cocktail recently, and this cherry bomb is it! I love the addition of maple syrup and the vanilla extract for a little sweetness. Seriously–so good!
michele
What a great refreshing drink in all the heat we’ve been having. Really enjoyed it with the BBQ this weekend!
Debi
This is delicious. I’ve been trying my hand at different cocktails during all of this stay at home business, and this one I’ll make after all this is over! A great treat.
Deb Clark
Love this cocktail – just the right amount of tart and sweet!