Looking for the perfect boozy treat to wow your guests this Independence Day? These boozy cherry bombs are about to become your new favorite party trick! They're the perfect balance of sweet, festive, and just a little naughty—and they look absolutely stunning on any dessert table.
I made these for our backyard BBQ last summer, and I couldn't believe how quickly they disappeared! Everyone kept asking me for the recipe.
If you love easy no-bake treats like my 4th of July Oreo Balls or 4th of July Chocolate Covered Strawberries, you're going to absolutely fall in love with these cherry bombs.
Why You Will Love These Cherry Bombs
- Ready in just 45 minutes with only 15 minutes of actual prep time
- Only 4 simple ingredients needed
- No baking required—perfect for hot summer days
- Beautiful red, white, and blue patriotic presentation
- Make-ahead friendly for stress-free entertaining
- Adults-only treat (but I'll share a kid-friendly version too!)
- Guaranteed conversation starter at any gathering
Simple Ingredients for Your Boozy Cherry Bombs
- 10 ounce jar of maraschino cherries with stems
- ¼ cup Vodka (I used Absolut Vanilia, but any vodka works)
- 5 ounces white chocolate melting discs
- ¼ cup blue sanding sugar
How to Make Boozy Cherry Bombs
Preparing the Cherries
- Remove the lid of the jar of maraschino cherries, being sure to save the lid, and drain out a third of a cup of juice from the jar. You want to keep the cherries in the jar.
- Add a quarter cup of vodka to the jar of maraschino cherries. Replace the lid to the jar of cherries and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight. The longer you allow your cherries to soak in the vodka-infused juice, the stronger the flavor will be. (When I made these for my sister's birthday, I let them soak overnight and whoa—they packed quite the punch! Just something to keep in mind depending on how "boozy" you want these to be!)
- Once the cherries have soaked in the vodka-flavored cherry juice, carefully remove all the maraschino cherries from the jar. Place them onto a paper towel-lined plate, and pat the cherries dry really well. Tip: Be sure that your cherries are patted completely dry before dipping them into the melted white chocolate, as any excess liquid can cause the white chocolate to seize up and not adhere to the cherries. I learned this the hard way the first time I made these!
- Line a rimmed tray with a piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
Dipping and Decorating Your Cherry Bombs
- In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate melting discs.
- Microwave for thirty seconds to one minute at 50% power, stir, then microwave an additional 15-30 seconds or until the white chocolate is fully melted and stirred to a smooth consistency. Tips: For best results, follow the melting instructions on your brand's packaging for the white chocolate melting discs. Be sure to stir between each heating cycle. Have you ever had chocolate seize up on you? Not fun at all!
- Hold a very dry maraschino cherry by the stem and dip it into the melted white chocolate, covering approximately three-quarters of the cherry with the white chocolate.
- Once you have dipped the cherry into the white chocolate, then dip the bottom of the white chocolate dipped cherry into the blue sanding sugar. Place the dipped cherry bomb onto the prepared rimmed tray. Be sure that the stem is pointing up. Repeat until all the stemmed maraschino cherries have been dipped. Tip: You may need to break apart the blue sanding sugar every so often, as it can tend to clump together in more humid temperatures. It can get "stuck" in clumps if any of the melted white chocolate gets mixed into it as you dip the cherries.
- Place the tray of cherry bombs into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill before serving. I love making these the morning of a party, so they have plenty of time to set up and I don't have to stress at the last minute. Plus, don't they look like little firecrackers? So perfect for 4th of July treats or any patriotic celebration!
Storage Tips for Your Boozy Cherry Bombs
How to Store
Store the finished cherry bombs in the refrigerator, loosely covered with plastic wrap, for up to two days.
Be cautious of condensation affecting the white chocolate's adhesion.
Can I Freeze These?
I do not recommend freezing these cherry bombs. The texture of the cherries changes when frozen and thawed, and the chocolate coating can develop condensation that affects its appearance.
Make Ahead Options
You can prepare the alcohol-soaked cherries and store them in the fridge for a day or two before dipping them in chocolate.
This makes the day-of preparation even quicker! Perfect for busy holiday planning.
Sarah's Tips for Perfect Boozy Cherry Bombs
Customize Your Colors
Feel free to customize your cherry bomb dessert with different color sprinkles to coordinate with a themed party, favorite sports team, or other holiday celebration.
For Halloween, try orange and black sprinkles, or red and green for Christmas. My daughter Emily loves when I make them with her favorite purple sugar!
Make A Kid-Friendly Version
To make these treats kid-friendly, you don't have to soak them in alcohol. For an all-age appropriate snack, skip the vodka soaking step and simply pat the cherries dry, dip them in melted white chocolate, and decorate with sanding sugar.
My nieces and nephews go crazy for these at family gatherings! They're just as pretty without the boozy kick.
Choose Your Favorite Chocolate
If you're not a fan of white chocolate, you can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate melting discs in a one-to-one ratio for a different flavor profile.
I've tried them with dark chocolate and they're delicious—just not as patriotic looking for the 4th of July!
You could also try drizzling different colors of chocolate over the top for an extra decorative touch, like I do with my Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods.
Keep That Sugar Separate
You may need to break apart the blue sanding sugar every so often, as it can tend to clump together in more humid temperatures.
It can get "stuck" in clumps if any of the melted white chocolate gets mixed into it as you dip the cherries. I use a small fork to fluff it up when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boozy Cherry Bombs
Yes! To make a kid-friendly version, simply skip the vodka soaking step. Pat the cherries dry, dip in chocolate, and add the decorative sugar as directed.
Store the finished cherry bombs in the refrigerator, loosely covered with plastic wrap, for up to two days. Note that condensation may affect the white chocolate's adhesion.
Yes! If you're not a fan of white chocolate, you can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate melting discs in a one-to-one ratio for a different flavor profile.
You can prepare the cherries and store them in the fridge for a day or two before dipping them in chocolate. The completed cherry bombs will last up to two days when properly refrigerated.
Serve These Cherry Bombs With...
These festive treats go wonderfully with other 4th of July desserts like my 4th of July Cake Balls, 4th of July Meringue Cookies, or Red White and Blue Popsicles for a complete patriotic dessert table!
You could also serve them alongside my Strawberry Fluff Salad for a delicious red, white, and blue themed spread that will have everyone asking for your recipes.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Recipes You May Like
- 4th of July Funfetti Dip – A fun, colorful dip that's perfect for serving with fruit, cookies, or graham crackers at your patriotic celebration.
- 4th of July Cupcakes – Beautiful red, white, and blue cupcakes that make a perfect partner to these cherry bombs on your dessert table.
- 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats – Another easy no-bake treat that kids and adults will love alongside these cherry bombs.
Perfect Party Treats: Boozy Cherry Bombs
These boozy cherry bombs are such a fun and festive way to celebrate Independence Day! They're the perfect combination of sweet cherries, smooth white chocolate, and just a hint of vodka to make them special for the adults at your gathering.
The patriotic red, white, and blue colors make them absolutely perfect for your 4th of July spread.
The best part? They're so simple to make but look like you spent hours on them! That's my kind of recipe.
If you're looking for more patriotic treats, don't forget to check out my Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies or 4th of July Puppy Chow.
I hope you love these cherry bombs as much as we do! Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later, and let me know how yours turn out in the comments below!
Boozy Cherry Bombs
Equipment
- Microwave-Safe Bowl
- Parchment Paper
- Rimmed Baking Tray
Ingredients
- 10 ounce jar of maraschino cherries with stems
- ¼ cup Vodka I used Absolut Vanilia
- 5 ounces white chocolate melting discs
- ¼ cup blue sanding sugar
Instructions
- Remove the lid of the jar of maraschino cherries, being sure to save the lid, and drain out a third of a cup of juice from the jar. You want to keep the cherries in the jar.
- Add a quarter cup of vodka to the jar of maraschino cherries. Replace the lid to the jar of cherries and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight. The longer you allow your cherries to soak in the vodka-infused juice, the stronger the flavor will be.
- Once the cherries have soaked in the vodka-flavored cherry juice, carefully remove all the maraschino cherries from the jar. Place them onto a paper towel-lined plate, and pat the cherries dry really well.
- Line a rimmed tray with a piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate melting discs.
- Microwave for thirty seconds to one minute at 50% power, stir, then microwave an additional 15-30 seconds or until the white chocolate is fully melted and stirred to a smooth consistency.
- Hold a very dry maraschino cherry by the stem and dip it into the melted white chocolate, covering approximately three-quarters of the cherry with the white chocolate.
- Once you have dipped the cherry into the white chocolate, then dip the bottom of the white chocolate dipped cherry into the blue sanding sugar. Place the dipped cherry bomb onto the prepared rimmed tray. Be sure that the stem is pointing up. Repeat until all the stemmed maraschino cherries have been dipped.
- Place the tray of cherry bombs into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill before serving.
Whitney says
Would a berry vodka bee too strong for these? Or do you recommend vanilla?
Sarah says
Hey Whitney! Berry vodka will be stronger and fruitier, but vanilla is smoother and more balanced. Both work!