Hotel Starlino Maraschino Cherries

Hotel Starlino Maraschino Cherries is Italian cocktail cherries preserved in Marasca cherry juice with a deep fruit character and glossy finish. Chosen for clarity of flavor and the number of ways it can earn a place in regular cooking.

The Lello View

A cocktail cherry should contribute fruit, texture and balance—not simply color. These have enough character to justify their place in a well-kept bar and enough versatility to move into dessert.

At the Table

• Garnish Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and other spirit-forward cocktails
• Spoon over panna cotta, gelato or chocolate desserts
• Serve alongside an after-dinner bar setup

Details

• Origin: Italy
• Category: Pantry

Ingredients

Cherries, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, Marasca juice, fruit and vegetable concentrate, citric acid, natural flavoring.

Why you'll love it

• Italian aperitivo brand launched in 2020 by Biggar & Leith (the team that grew Malfy gin to 100,000 cases before selling to Pernod Ricard).
• Vermouths/aperitifs made by the Vergnano family's Torino Distillati in Moncalieri, Piedmont — the historic heart of Italian vermouth, ~100 years of vermouth-making.
• The cherries: Italian Marasca cherries matured 15 days in their natural Marasca juice, then rested a further week; de-stoned; non-alcoholic; no artificial flavors or colors. 400g jars and 1kg tins.
• Difford's Guide (2020): "deep red, almost black cherries in thick syrup… rich sweet cherry and jammy fruit with marzipan and chocolate-like notes… attractive firmness rather than being mushy."
• Cocktail native: Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, spritzes; syrup drizzles over ice cream or sweetens cocktails.

Italian Marasca cherries rested 15 days in their own juice — dark, firm, complex. The cherry your Manhattan has been waiting for, from Piedmont vermouth makers.