These brandied cherries are sure to take your next Manhattan or any cocktail to the next level. Not to mention this recipe is loaded with a healthy dose of prosperity, luck, and success thanks to a little kitchen witchery.

Apple Brandied Cherries Recipe

Makes 1 Quart

Hands-on Time 35-45 Minutes

Total Time 2 Weeks

The Ingredients

1 - 1 1/2 lbs sweet cherries

1 C Chemist Spirits Eau de Vie Apple Brandy

3/4 C water

1/2 C organic sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 vanilla bean

2 whole allspice

2 T lemon juice

2 long strips of orange peel

The Method

1. Pit the cherries. I used a reusable straw and pressed straight through at the stem to pop the pits out of the bottom. You could use a toothpick to do this as well.

2. Add everything but the cherries to a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes until the liquid reduces by about 1/3.

3. Put the pitted cherries in a quart mason jar or 2 pint mason jars. Once the liquid is ready, pour it over the cherries while still hot. I poured through a fine mesh strainer, but then decided to put the spices back in to give them a little extra kick.

4. Once cooled to room temperature, put the lid(s) on and store in fridge. Allow the cherries to cure for at least 2 weeks before using. The cherries will last for a couple months in the fridge, or you can heat process and store them for up to a year.

The Magic

Allspice // Masculine // Mars // Fire

These Jamaican beauties give extra oomph to your spellwork and charms along with quite a few other properties. You can carry an allspice berry in your wallet or purse to attract money, and he’s often used in spells for money, success, and luck. He’s also used for his healing properties in baths and relieves mental tension.

Allspice got his current name because he embodies flavors from several other spices like cinnamon, clove, ginger, and pepper. You’ll notice that he also shares a lot of correspondences and properties with these herbs.

Cinnamon // Masculine // sun //fire

This is another spice that gives extra power to your magical work similar to allspice. When you use him in recipes, he nourishes a certain drive to your actions and attracts prosperity and success thanks to all that fiery energy. This is a go-to herb for your witch’s cabinet anytime you want to ignite or empower your intentions.

Vanilla // Feminine // venus // water

This orchid is actually the flower that I used in the Makin’ Whoopie Kitchen logo. She’s one of my favorite herbs right behind lavender and has many different magical properties. Probably most widely known for use in love and lust spells, she’s also known for improving your energy and your mind.

For my fellow business babes, create a sachet with a vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and allspice. Store it wherever you keep your money at your place of business, and watch it help you attract more customers and success.

Cherry // Feminine // Venus // water

Another plant widely known for her use in attracting love or a partner across many cultures. The cherry pits have long been used for divination and fortune telling. The juice from cherries can be used as a replacement for blood in spells. I can tell you that after pitting the cherries for this recipe, I can see where it would make an excellent replacement for blood. My entire kitchen looked like a murder scene - I’m not the tidiest cook in the kitchen.

Another bonus of working with cherry magic - you can use all the parts of the tree for different spells, charms, and incense. The bark, leaves, blossoms, fruit, and seeds/pits can all be used for different aspects of your craft.