Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries. This may be a first for our Trader Joe's reviews...I've actually used these in a recipe before reviewing them. More on that in a minute.
UPDATE: Check out our sister site, Sweet on Trader Joe's, dedicated to all things Trader Joe's!
These cherries come in a 16-ounce jar; look for them on an endcap or near the jellies and jams. I believe they are seasonal, but I don't know how long their "season" is.
The cherries are pitted with stems intact. Similar to Maraschinos, Amarena cherries are sweet and packed in syrup. A jar costs $4.49.
Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries review:
She says: Oh. My. These cherries are one of my favorite Trader Joe's finds. I thank Flavia for that. They're sweet and decadent in a thick, luxurious syrup. No artificial colors or flavors. As much as I love a Maraschino cherry, these are better. The cherries are more flavorful with a sumptuous syrup. Amarena cherries are like Maraschino's very sophisticated aunt who lives on the Amalfi Coast, wears red lipstick, a scarf, and big sunglasses.
Overall rating: 5 of 5 stars
He (Mr. E) says: I like cherries. A LOT. Mostly in pies, as a topping on ice cream sundaes, or in milkshakes. But these were super rich in flavor, not like the cherries you normally come across. I’m not much of a mixed-drink, adult beverage kind of guy (beer or whiskey, please and thank you), but I had cocktails on the brain after just two of these cherries.
Overall rating: 4 of 5 stars
How to use Amarena cherries?
- in a drink or cocktail (hello, cherry Coke!)
- in a recipe, like this Amarena Cherry and Chocolate Marbled Bundt Cake!
- on a cheeseboard
- to top an ice cream sundae
- for a gift with a bottle of booze and some pretty glasses
- ...right out of the jar
