A maraschino cherry is a preserved, brightly red-dyed cherry used as a garnish for cocktails and desserts. It originated on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, where the small, tart Marasca cherry was preserved in maraschino liqueur, itself distilled from the same fruit. Most maraschino cherries sold today, however, are made from other varieties such as Royal Ann cherries, bleached and then soaked in a sugar syrup with artificial flavoring and red dye rather than real maraschino liqueur - a cheaper substitute that became standard in the United States over the 20th century. They're a familiar garnish for cocktails like the Manhattan and Shirley Temple and a topping for ice cream sundaes, cakes, and fruit salads, contributing a mild sweet-tart flavor along with their color.