Definition & Meaning of "maraschino"

What is "maraschino"?

Maraschino is a liqueur that is made from the distillation of marasca cherries, a variety of sour cherry that is native to Croatia. The liqueur has a clear and colorless appearance and a sweet and slightly bitter flavor with notes of almond. Maraschino is a versatile liqueur that can be used as a flavoring agent in cocktails and mixed drinks, and is often used in classic cocktails such as the Aviation and the Hemingway Daiquiri. It is also used in baking and cooking to add flavor to desserts and other dishes. It has a long and storied history, dating back centuries, and continues to be a favorite among bartenders and mixologists today.