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A small, round, vivid-red cherry with a smooth, glossy surface and a shallow dimple at one end, served without a stem.

Maraschino cherry Calories

Sweet preserved cocktail cherry

CALORIES · 100 G

165kcal

GI

62medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

54mg

FIBER · 100 G

1.5g

Quick answer

1 piece (small) of Maraschino cherry (8 g) has 13 calories. That works out to 165 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.4 g of carbs, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0.1 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 62 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Maraschino cherry Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (small) · 8 g

13

KCAL / 8G

Carbs

3.4g

· 1% DV

Protein

0g

· 0% DV

Fat

0g

· 0% DV

Fiber

0.1g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 100% · Protein 0% · Fat 0%

Maraschino cherry nutrition facts table · 1 piece (small) (8 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories13 kcal
Total fat0 g0%
Saturated fat0 g0%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium0.64 mg0%
Total carbohydrate3.4 g1%
Fiber0.1 g0%
Protein0 g0%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Small Maraschino cherry?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (small)8 g13 kcal
1 serving (mini)15 g25 kcal
3 piece (medium)24 g40 kcal
2 tablespoon (diced)30 g50 kcal
5 piece (large)40 g66 kcal
0.25 cup (whole)40 g66 kcal
10 piece (jumbo)80 g132 kcal
½ cup (whole)80 g132 kcal
100 g100 g165 kcal

Calculated from 165 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maraschino cherry

What is a Maraschino cherry?

A Maraschino cherry is a preserved, usually pitted cherry served in sweet syrup, most often as a cocktail or dessert garnish. The brightly colored cherries sold in jars today are generally made differently from the traditional cherries preserved in maraschino liqueur.

Are Maraschino cherries real cherries?

Yes, Maraschino cherries are usually made from real cherries, often light-colored varieties such as Royal Ann. They are pitted and processed before being sweetened and colored, so their texture and flavor differ noticeably from fresh cherries.

How are Maraschino cherries made?

Commercial Maraschino cherries are commonly pitted, treated in brine, then sweetened and colored before packing in syrup. This process gives them their soft texture and vivid appearance; traditional maraschino cherries were preserved in maraschino liqueur instead.

Do Maraschino cherries contain alcohol?

Most jarred Maraschino cherries contain no alcohol. The name comes from maraschino liqueur, which was used to preserve traditional versions, but modern cocktail cherries are usually made with syrup. Some specialty versions are still prepared with liqueur.

Why are Maraschino cherries so bright red?

Many Maraschino cherries get their vivid red color from added food coloring after processing. Some varieties are dyed other colors, too, so the familiar bright-red appearance is not the natural color of every cherry used to make them.

What do Maraschino cherries taste like?

Maraschino cherries taste sweet and syrupy, often with a mild almond-like or cherry flavoring. They are much less tart and fresh-tasting than ordinary cherries, which is why they work especially well as a garnish rather than a fruit substitute.

What is the difference between Maraschino cherries and glace cherries?

Maraschino cherries are typically soft cherries packed in syrup for drinks and desserts. Glace cherries are heavily candied and often firmer, making them common in fruitcakes and baking. They are not interchangeable when a recipe depends on texture.

What can I use instead of Maraschino cherries in a cocktail?

Use a fresh cherry or a sour cherry as a replacement for a Maraschino cherry in a cocktail. Fresh fruit gives a less sugary, more natural flavor; a cocktail cherry preserved in brandy is another option, but it can add alcohol.

How should you store Maraschino cherries after opening?

Keep opened Maraschino cherries refrigerated in their syrup with the lid tightly closed. Use a clean utensil when taking them out, and keep the cherries covered by the liquid to help prevent them from drying out.

Can you freeze Maraschino cherries?

Yes, you can freeze Maraschino cherries, but they may become softer after thawing. Drain them first and freeze in a sealed container. Thawed cherries are better suited to sauces or baked desserts than to a neat cocktail garnish.

Maraschino cherry Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin K

0.17µg · 0% DV

B3

0.02mg · 0% DV

B6

0mg · 0% DV

Vitamin C

0.06mg · 0% DV

Minerals

Copper

0mg · 0% DV

Manganese

0mg · 0% DV

Potassium ⭐

4.32mg · 0% DV

Magnesium

0.4mg · 0% DV

Sodium

0.64mg · 0% DV

Maraschino cherry Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

62
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

1
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Maraschino cherry

To burn the 13 calories in 1 piece (small) (8 g):

🚶

3min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

1min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

2min

Cycling

🏊

2min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Maraschino cherry?

A maraschino cherry is a pitted cherry preserved in sweet syrup, often brightly coloured and sold ready to use. The name is linked to marasca cherries and liqueur, though many modern versions are made with syrup rather than preserved in the traditional liqueur. Its soft, juicy texture and concentrated sweetness make it quite different from a fresh cherry.

It is best known as a cocktail garnish, but it also tops ice cream, cakes and sundaes in bars, cafés and home kitchens. Nutritionally, it is mostly carbohydrate, with 42 g per 100 g, and very little protein or fat. For a small burst of sweetness, drain one cherry before adding it to a dessert or drink.

How Nutritious Is Maraschino cherry?

Nutrient density

Low

12/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Low

31/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Maraschino cherry Processed?

NOVA 3

Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Maraschino cherry Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Maraschino cherry Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Maraschino cherry Fat Profile

SATURATED

0g

MONOUNSATURATED

0g

POLYUNSATURATED

0g

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.