I hate maraschino cherries. Or, rather, I like the look of them sitting plumply in my manhattan, but the waxy candy flavor is offputting and, in my view, undercuts the quality of the booze.

Fortunately, it’s cherry season right now, and the perfect time to stock up on real cherries. I pit them with the help of a olive pitter, put them in plastic bags and freeze them for when I need them in a cocktail.

Do note that frozen, they will float unless you thaw them first. But it’s worth using them. Instead of wax balls you get real cherries, with a hint of tartness.

And if the price puts you off, bargain hunters should note that Droubi Brothers market in Roslindale currently stocks them for two dollars a pound.

Say what you will about Whole Foods, but they sell handy little cans of tonic water and club soda for a reasonable price. If I’m making a round of gin and tonics for company, I’ll go ahead and get a bottle or two of tonic water, but most of the time you pour a couple of drinks and the rest go flat. Or you buy the Schwepps six pack of mini-bottles and pay an arm and a leg. With cans, I get enough for two drinks (or at least drink and a half) and only have to open as much as I need. Or, if a guest wants that mojito but everyone else is drinking manhattans, just pop open a can of soda water that’s tucked in the back of your fridge. Easy.

Similarly, cans of Coke, Sprite and Ginger Ale are good for a home bar to have on hand. Since I’m not normally a softdrink fan, if I buy a two-liter bottle it’ll go to waste. But I can get 12 oz. cans at the Hi-Lo Supermarket for 25 cents each. I stock up on a couple to be prepared for when someone asks for a rum and Coke.

Whole Foods’ many locations can be found online. Hi-Lo is located at Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.