variants often Maraschino
plural maraschinos
1
: a sweet liqueur distilled from the fermented juice of a bitter wild cherry
2
: a usually large cherry preserved in true or imitation maraschino

Examples of maraschino in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add 4 ounces lime juice, 3 ounces grapefruit juice, 1 ounce maraschino liqueur, 1 ounce simple syrup, and 1 ounce water to account for the dilution that would normally come from shaking. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026 Cookbook author Cheryl Day swaps in deeply flavorful Luxardo cherries for the usual neon maraschinos, bringing a richer, almost winey sweetness that plays off the bright tang of pineapple. — Cheryl Day, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026 Cut into squares and garnish each with a maraschino cherry, if desired. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026 More than the Martini or the Manhattan, the Martinez evokes that Gilded Age, an echo of a long past era reflected in the quantity of vermouth and the unusual character of maraschino. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maraschino

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from marasca bitter wild cherry, alteration of amarasca, from amaro bitter — more at amaretto

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maraschino was in 1770

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maraschino.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maraschino. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural maraschinos
often capitalized
1
: a sweet alcoholic drink made from the juice of a bitter wild cherry
2
: a cherry preserved in true or imitation maraschino
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