Tempus Fugit Spirits Cocktail Cherries
Tempus Fugit Spirits Cocktail Cherries are wild Italian Amarena cherries candied in a slurry of spiced cane sugar syrup, cherry juice, and Kirsch cherry brandy — and at 12% ABV, they are among the very few commercial cocktail cherries that actually contain alcohol. Revived from an early-1890s pre-Prohibition recipe by the Swiss Spirits house Tempus Fugit, the stemless, small, dense cherries carry a snappy skin and sour-cherry intensity, with traditional gum arabic giving the syrup a velvety texture. They are available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 12% (cherries soaked in Kirsch-spiked syrup)
- Size: jar — 225g (32 cherries) or 415g (60 cherries); confirm on jar
- Origin: made in Italy (Italian wild Amarena cherries)
- Production: candied in Amarena cherry juice, sugar syrup, gum arabic, spices, and Kirsch; pre-Prohibition 1890s recipe
- Use: cocktail garnish — Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, sours
The Cherry That Drinks Like a Spirit
Most cocktail cherries are candy in a jar; Tempus Fugit's are something closer to a liqueur with fruit in it. The Amarena cherries — wild Italian variety, not sweet Bing — are candied in their own juice with spices and a meaningful pour of Kirsch, so the fruit itself carries 12% alcohol and genuine cherry-brandy character. The gum arabic finish gives the syrup a silky, old-world body that modern corn-syrup cherries can't touch. Browse the Tempus Fugit Spirits collection, more liqueurs and bar essentials, and Del Mesa's brandy shelf.
Tasting Notes
Expect deep sour-cherry intensity — dark, jammy, and tart rather than sweet — with almond-like cherry-pit notes, warm baking spice, and a whisper of Kirsch warmth. The syrup is rich and velvety, begging to be spooned into the drink.
How to Enjoy
Drop two into a Manhattan or Old Fashioned (plus a bar spoon of the syrup), or skewer over a whiskey sour. The 12% ABV means they count toward the drink — garnish generously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tempus Fugit cocktail cherries contain alcohol?
Yes — 12% ABV. The cherries are soaked in a Kirsch-spiked syrup, unlike nearly all commercial cocktail cherries, which are alcohol-free.
What sizes do Tempus Fugit cherries come in?
225g (about 32 cherries) and 415g (about 60 cherries) jars — confirm the jar size on the shelf product.
What makes Tempus Fugit cherries different from Luxardo cherries?
The Kirsch soak (12% ABV vs. zero), wild Amarena fruit, the 1890s recipe, and a gum-arabic syrup with old-world texture.
The garnish that drinks like a spirit — order Tempus Fugit Spirits Cocktail Cherries online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.