Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

Girolamo Luxardo started making maraschino in Zara in 1821, and the family company now works in Torreglia, near Padua. Marasca cherries, with their leaves and branches, infuse for up to three years in larch-wood vats. The infusion is distilled in copper pot stills, aged in ash wood, then sweetened and bottled at 32%.

It is clear, not red, and tastes nothing like cocktail-cherry syrup: cherry stone and cherry preserves, a hint of grappa-like spirit underneath, and a light citrus lift.

A bar needs one maraschino, and this is the one to buy for the Aviation, the Last Word and the Hemingway Daiquiri. Use it by the quarter-ounce, since a little goes a long way.

Pair it with a London dry gin for the first two, or a light rum with grapefruit and lime for the Daiquiri.

More cherry and fruit liqueurs are under liqueurs and cordials. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery across NYC.