Lazzaroni Maraschino Liqueur
Lazzaroni Maraschino Liqueur is a clear, relatively dry Italian maraschino — 750mL at 25% ABV (50 proof), made by Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli in Saronno from Marasca cherries including their crushed pits — and you can order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 25% (50 proof, US bottle)
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: Saronno, Italy
- Producer: Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli (founded 1851)
- Production: Marasca cherries with crushed pits (bitter-almond character) plus lemon, orange, vanilla and neroli oils; molasses-distilled base, European beet sugar
- Award: International Review of Spirits — 97 points, Platinum Medal Superlative (2014)
A Maraschino Built on Whole Marasca Cherries
The defining move in maraschino is using the whole cherry — flesh, skin and crushed pit — and Lazzaroni does exactly that: Marasca cherries go in complete, the pits contributing the subtle bitter-almond note that separates a great maraschino from a merely sweet cherry liqueur. Lemon, orange, vanilla and neroli oils round it out over a molasses-distilled base. The result is clear and relatively dry — a ripe cherry-cordial nose with floral jasmine notes, a cherry-forward palate with light nuttiness, moderately sweet with a bitter-almond undercurrent and a clean, lingering finish. It's the bottle an Aviation, a Last Word or a Hemingway Daiquiri deserves — find it alongside the other Italian classics in the liqueur collection, and see the full range from Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli.
Tasting Notes
Ripe cherry cordial on the nose with floral jasmine and spice. Cherry-forward entry, light nuttiness, moderately sweet with a bitter-almond undercurrent; clean, lingering cherry-almond finish.
How to Enjoy
Essential in an Aviation, Last Word, Martinez or Hemingway Daiquiri. Fine neat or on a single cube when you want to taste the Marasca character straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is maraschino liqueur?
A clear, relatively dry liqueur distilled from Marasca cherries — including the crushed pits, which give it its signature bitter-almond character. It's not a sweet red cherry syrup.
What is the ABV of Lazzaroni Maraschino?
25% ABV (50 proof) on the US bottle. Some UK/EU listings show 32% — a different-market bottling, not the US 750mL.
What cocktails use maraschino liqueur?
The Aviation, Last Word, Martinez and Hemingway Daiquiri all call for it.
Has Lazzaroni Maraschino won awards?
Yes — 97 points and a Platinum Medal Superlative from the International Review of Spirits in 2014.
Stock your bar cart properly — get Lazzaroni Maraschino Liqueur delivered by ordering online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.