Luxardo Maraschino

Two Centuries of Italian Craftsmanship in One Iconic Bottle.
Few liqueurs have earned such an important place in cocktail history as Luxardo Maraschino. Produced according to a recipe dating back to 1821, this distinctive Italian classic is made from Marasca cherries and is recognised by its crystal-clear appearance and unmistakable green bottle, traditionally wrapped in hand-plaited straw.

The story begins in Zadar, on the Dalmatian coast, where Girolamo Luxardo founded his distillery after his wife Maria perfected a traditional Maraschino recipe. More than two centuries later, the Luxardo family continues to produce the liqueur, now from its home in Torreglia, in Italy's Veneto region.

What makes Maraschino particularly special is its production process. The Marasca cherries are harvested and infused in alcohol together with leaves and branches from the same trees in larch-wood vats. After an extended infusion, both the liquid and solid components are distilled in traditional copper pot stills. The resulting distillate is then matured in ash-wood vats before being transformed into the finished liqueur with water and sugar.

Unlike many cherry liqueurs, Luxardo Maraschino is completely transparent and far more complex than its appearance might suggest. Its aroma combines the distinctive character of Marasca cherry distillate with roasted nuttiness, while the palate brings together cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla and orange marmalade. Smooth yet surprisingly intense, it has a distinctive balance of sweetness, fruit and aromatic depth.

A genuine staple of the classic cocktail world, Maraschino is an essential ingredient in drinks such as the Aviation, Last Word and Hemingway Special. For cocktail enthusiasts, it is one of those bottles that can transform a home bar.

Why we love it:
Luxardo Maraschino is one of those genuinely distinctive liqueurs that deserves a place in any serious cocktail collection. Its flavour is much more complex than a typical cherry liqueur, combining concentrated fruit, roasted nuttiness, chocolate and subtle citrus in a remarkably characterful spirit. A little goes a long way, and its importance in classic cocktail recipes makes it a true bar essential.