Black Forest Liqueur with Chocolate & Cherry Flavours

Introduction

Black Forest Liqueur with Chocolate & Cherry Flavours is a decadent homemade treat inspired by the classic German Black Forest cake. With its rich layers of luxurious chocolate and bold cherry notes, this liqueur is a true showstopper for gatherings, special occasions, or as a gourmet gift. The alluring aroma and deep, balanced flavor make it a must-try for lovers of chocolate, cherry, or craft spirits.

Why You’ll Love This Black Forest Liqueur

This recipe is remarkably simple yet yields impressively complex results. The liqueur captures the essence of ripe cherries and velvety chocolate in a silky-smooth spirit, perfect for sipping neat, drizzling over desserts, or crafting creative cocktails. Unlike store-bought versions, you control the sweetness and intensity, ensuring a custom-made liqueur that dazzles every palate.

Making the Chocolate & Cherry Infusion

The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the careful extraction of flavors from quality ingredients. Begin by pitting and roughly chopping fresh cherries. To speed up the process safely and efficiently, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for consistent results.

Combine the cherries with dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, and a good-quality vodka or brandy in a sterilized jar. Allowing the mixture to steep for several days draws out the intense flavor and aroma, resulting in a truly authentic liqueur base.

Blending and Sweetening Your Liqueur

Once your infusion has fully developed, strain out the solids. For a velvety-smooth result, pour the mixture through a double layer of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Next, blend the infusion with a homemade chocolate-cherry syrup. For this, simmer cherries, sugar, cocoa, and water until thickened, then blend the syrup using a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black for a glossy, uniform texture.

Balance the flavors by adding the syrup to the strained spirit a little at a time, tasting as you go. This step ensures your liqueur is neither too sweet nor too tart and delivers the bold chocolate-cherry profile that defines the Black Forest experience.

Serving Suggestions and Creative Uses

Black Forest Liqueur shines in a variety of presentations. Enjoy it straight over ice, swirl it into a rich hot chocolate, or drizzle over vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an instant gourmet dessert. For parties, batch the liqueur and store it in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for easy pouring and gifting.

Garnish each serving with a maraschino cherry and a curl of dark chocolate for a presentation that’s as stunning as it is delicious.

Nutritional Information & Yield

This recipe produces approximately 1 liter of liqueur, with one serving (about 1.5 oz) containing roughly 100–120 calories, depending on your chosen sweetness level and alcohol type. Enjoy responsibly!

Black Forest Liqueur with Chocolate & Cherry Flavours (Recap)

This liqueur brings together classic Black Forest flavors of cherry and chocolate in a lusciously smooth, homemade spirit. Its versatility and irresistible flavor profile make it a winning choice for celebrations, thoughtful gifts, or personal indulgence.

Ingredients

Infusion:
– 1½ cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries, roughly chopped
– ¾ cup chopped dark chocolate or cocoa nibs
– 750 ml quality vodka or brandy

Chocolate-Cherry Syrup:
– 1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– ¾ cup water

To Finish:
– Additional sugar, to taste
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large, sealable jar, combine the pitted and chopped cherries and chocolate/cocoa nibs. Pour in the vodka or brandy, seal, and shake to mix.
2. Let the mixture infuse in a cool, dark place for 5–7 days. Shake the jar gently every day to evenly distribute the ingredients.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with a double layer of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll into a large bowl or pitcher, discarding the solids.
4. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup cherries, sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and mash the cherries as they soften. Once thickened, cool briefly, then blend until smooth with a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black.
5. Stir the syrup into your cherry-chocolate infusion a little at a time, tasting until your desired sweetness and flavor balance is reached. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt, if using.
6. Transfer the finished liqueur to clean bottles or use Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) and refrigerate. Allow liqueur to rest at least 24 hours before serving to let flavors meld.
7. Shake or stir gently before serving. Serve on the rocks, in cocktails, or as a dessert drizzle.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 30 minutes (active)
Infusion Time: 5–7 days
Syrup Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 6–8 days (mostly hands-off)