Kirsch vs Cherry Liqueur

Kirsch - also called Kirschwasser - is a clear, dry cherry brandy distilled from fermented whole cherries including the stones. It is not sweet and carries a clean, fruit-forward bitterness with a subtle almond note derived from the stones. Cherry liqueur (such as Cherry Heering or crème de cerise) is sweetened and significantly more syrupy, and will unbalance a recipe that calls for kirsch by adding sugar and diluting acidity. When macerating fruit for a dessert filling, kirsch keeps the cherries bright and tart; a liqueur substitute will make them cloying. If kirsch is unavailable, a small measure of grappa or eau de vie is a closer substitute than any sweet cherry liqueur.