Test Lab 008: Luxardo Cherry Liqueur

A cherry with a longer story

That straw-wrapped green bottle has been keeping bartenders curious for generations. Test Lab 008 puts Luxardo Maraschino Originale in the spotlight for an evening of tasting, observation and a few surprises.

A few clues before you taste

The wrapping had a job — Luxardo still wraps its Maraschino bottles in straw by hand. The tradition began as a practical way to protect the glass during shipping.

The recipe goes back to 1821 — The formula traces to founder Girolamo Luxardo. Marasca cherries, along with leaves and branches, spend time in an alcoholic infusion before copper-pot distillation and maturation in ash-wood vats.

Cherry can be crystal clear — Maraschino Originale is a clear liqueur. Its cherry character comes through distillation—a useful clue when you start tasting what it does in a cocktail.

How much can one ingredient change a drink? Come taste what happens when Luxardo joins the experiment. We’ll save the cocktail reveals for the Lab.

Your evening at the Lab

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Brass Monkey Lounge · 307 Admiral Blvd, Kansas City, MO
$33 per guest · Three cocktail tastings · 90-minute guided experience
Smoked nuts from Savory Addictions included · Ages 21+

Your host introduces each experiment, invites you to observe and taste, and then talks through what is happening in the glass. Come with questions; curiosity is all you need.

Reserve your place at Test Lab 008

Ingredient notes: Luxardo’s Maraschino Originale notes

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