cherry brandy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, chiefly in social/dining contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cherry brandy” mean?
A liqueur made by steeping cherries in brandy, often sweetened and with a distinct cherry flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A liqueur made by steeping cherries in brandy, often sweetened and with a distinct cherry flavour.
Can refer to the liqueur itself, a cocktail made with it, or a flavour descriptor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used similarly in both varieties, though it may be more common as a recognised drink name in the UK. The American term 'cherry liqueur' is sometimes used for similar products.
Connotations
In the UK, may evoke traditional liqueurs or Christmas; in the US, possibly a cocktail ingredient.
Frequency
Moderate in both, more frequent in contexts discussing spirits, cocktails, or recipes.
Grammar
How to Use “cherry brandy” in a Sentence
[Verb] + cherry brandy (e.g., 'drink', 'mix', 'pour')[Adjective] + cherry brandy (e.g., 'sweet', 'homemade', 'aged')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cherry brandy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to cherry-brandy the leftover fruit.
- The recipe instructs you to cherry-brandy the mixture overnight.
American English
- They cherry-brandied the cherries for the holiday cocktail.
- You can cherry-brandy your own fruit at home.
adverb
British English
- The pudding was flavoured cherry-brandy.
American English
- The filling tasted cherry-brandy sweet.
adjective
British English
- She brought a lovely cherry-brandy cake.
- He prefers a cherry-brandy glaze on the ham.
American English
- Try the cherry-brandy sauce with the dessert.
- It had a subtle cherry-brandy aftertaste.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in beverage industry sales or marketing.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or cultural studies of food/drink.
Everyday
Used in social settings, recipes, or when ordering drinks.
Technical
Used in distilling, mixology, and food science contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cherry brandy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cherry brandy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherry brandy”
- Using 'cherry brandy' to refer to any brandy served with cherries (it is a specific infused liqueur).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Broadly yes, as it is a liqueur. However, 'cherry brandy' specifically implies brandy as the base spirit, while 'cherry liqueur' could use other spirits.
Yes, it is commonly used in desserts, sauces, and Christmas recipes like Christmas pudding or black forest gateau.
Yes, it features in several classic and modern cocktails, such as the Singapore Sling or various sour variations.
It varies but generally ranges from 20% to 30% ABV (alcohol by volume), lower than straight brandy.
A liqueur made by steeping cherries in brandy, often sweetened and with a distinct cherry flavour.
Cherry brandy is usually informal, chiefly in social/dining contexts. in register.
Cherry brandy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛri ˈbrændi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛri ˈbrændi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As English as cherry brandy (rare, but a play on 'As English as apple pie')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHERRY BRANDY: Cherries BRewed AND steeped in spirit.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOUR IS FLAVOUR (the deep red colour signifies the cherry taste).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these best describes 'cherry brandy'?