Your summer cocktail menu isn't complete without this fresh cherry margarita! Bursting with ripe cherry flavor and tart citrus in every sip, this summery margarita is your perfect refreshing cocktail cooler.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
With summer in full swing, I'm taking advantage of cherry season. Of course, for me, that means plenty of cocktails, like my favorite cherry bourbon smash, cherry-orange Kentucky mule, cherry vodka sparkler and bourbon cherry limeade. And, sure, that right there is one solid cherry cocktail menu, but you can never have enough drink options in your life. Let's add this fruity margarita to the list, shall we?
Besides, look how pretty it is! We feast with our eyes, so I can't imagine a more swoon-worthy cocktail to serve to family and friends.
Ingredients
Before we start mixing, let's make sure our ingredients are in order. Here's everything we need to make this fresh cherry cocktail.
- Cherries
- Reposado tequila
- Luxardo cherry liqueur
- Simple syrup
- Fresh lime juice
- Coarse sea salt
When it comes to tequila, I'm always a big proponent of reposado tequila over blanco tequila, but that's especially true with these cherry margaritas. Reposado spends some time aging in oak barrels while blanco skips the aging process. That oaked flavor works beautifully with cherries. While you can use blanco tequila, I find reposado makes a more complex cocktail.
You might have noticed I specified Luxardo cherry liqueur rather than plain, old cherry liqueur. Luxardo cherry liqueur is distilled with the leaves, pits, stems and skins of marasca cherries, which gives it a rich almond-like flavor. Like the tequila, you can use another type of cherry liqueur in a pinch, but I highly recommend using the Luxardo variety if possible.
How to Make
With our ingredients ready, it's time to start mixing. We grab a cocktail shaker and throw in a handful of stemmed and seeded cherries with our fresh lime juice.
I pit a lot of cherries during the summer, so I use this handy cherry pitter. We can also use a chopstick to push the seed out or slice the cherry open to remove the seed, which is a bit messy, so make sure you do this on a surface that doesn't stain. I also suggest first rolling the lime on the counter under the palm of your hand a few times and using a lime juicer to get as much juice as possible.
Now we muddle together the cherries and lime juice until the fruit mostly breaks down. If you don't have a muddler, a sturdy wooden spoon works in its place. From here, we add our tequila, Luxardo cherry liqueur and simple syrup to the cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and give it a good shake for 15-30 seconds.
Like a salted rim? To do this, we spread coarse sea salt onto a small plate, run a lime slice along the rim of the serving glass and then swirl the glass into the salt.
With our salted rim ready, we trade the cocktail shaker top for a cocktail strainer and pour into an ice-filled glass. Now sip and enjoy, preferably on a cozy patio with good company.
Perfect Pairing
Chocolate and cherries were meant for each other, and I can't think of a more perfect pairing than my chocolate-covered cherry cheesecake. Besides each bite bursting with chocolate-cherry goodness, I love how the citrusy margarita plays off the tangy cheesecake filling. My frozen chocolate-cherry mousse pie is another delicious option and super refreshing for summer.
I hope you make the most of these warm days with this fresh cherry margarita.
Cheers!
Love Margaritas?
- Strawberry-kiwi margarita
- Italian margarita
- Plum-thyme margarita
- Jalapeno-mango margarita
- Blood orange margarita
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📖 Recipe
Fresh Cherry Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Handheld lime juicer
Ingredients
- 6 fresh cherries stemmed and pitted
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce Luxardo cherry liqueur
- 1 ounce simple syrup preferably homemade
- Ice
- Coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
- Lime slices for garnish, optional
- Additional cherries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add the fresh cherries and lime juice. Muddle until the cherries mostly break down.
- Add the tequila, Luxardo cherry liqueur, simple syrup and ice. Put the cocktail shaker top on and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
- If desired, run a lime slice along the rim of your serving glass. Pour coarse sea salt onto a small plate and swirl the moistened rim in the salt. Add ice to the serving glass.
- Replace the cocktail shaker top with a cocktail strainer. Strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a lime slice and fresh cherries if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- If making your own simple syrup, which is recommended, add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Allow to cool. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several weeks. You can also swap regular simple syrup for this homemade cherry simple syrup.
- For full tips, please see blog post.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Adrianne says
Cheers to this refreshing and super delicious looking margarita! I love the simplicity of it and it looks thirst quenching also. Can't wait to to whip it up, thanks!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope you enjoy!
Anjali says
Love this twist on a traditional margarita!! It was light, refreshing and so delicious!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! So happy you loved it.
kushigalu says
How gorgeous and refreshing is this drink. Perfect for summer. Thanks for sharing
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You’re so welcome!
veenaazmanov says
Love Citrus option and this will surely make my evening special. I am already drooling for a sip.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You will love it!
Andrea says
Wow, this is my kind of Margarita! Fantastic flavor!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Isn’t it the best?!
Moop Brown says
This cocktail looks so refreshing and perfect for summer! I really appreciate how straightforward and simple this recipe is as well
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It really is!
Sophie says
This looks so so good. I need to make this ASAP. Thanks for the detailed recipe and guide. I am trying this today.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome! Hope you love it.
Erin says
I need to go out and buy all that stuff! This looks so refreshing and perfect for summer. It's still really hot here so I'm all about summery things!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do! It's so good.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Oh this just screams end of summer! Your photos are absolutely GORGEOUS! This would be perfect for our next girls' night in! They will go crazy over this!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Lori! I bet they will!
Veronika says
Wow, your photos are so beautiful! and I really need this drink in my life today! Finally, it's Friday and I'm ready for a glass or two 😉
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Awww, thank you! I hope it made your Friday even better!
Eva says
You've got an impressive collection of cherry cockatils indeed, but there is never too many cherry recipes, if you ask me. I need to tell you that I love the glass you're using in these photos. So pretty, and makes this cockatil look even more impressive. I especially loved the overhead pictures, that showcase those pretty fresh cherries on top! So beautiful!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Eva! Appreciate the kind words. ?❤️
Aline says
I've made so many of your margarita recipes, and we love all of them!! This one was no different!!! Sooooooo good! Thank you for being so creative and inspiring!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Awww, thanks, Aline! That makes me so happy.
Tracy says
Cherry season is my favorite season! We usually just bake with them, but now I realize we have seriously been missing out. This is an absolutely gorgeous drink!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Tracy! They’re just so good in cocktails! ?
Kathryn Donangelo says
What a delicious cocktail!! Margaritas are my ultimate favorite and the cherries in this is amazing, thank you!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You’re so welcome!
Shelley says
I love cherry season! So short here in Ohio, but so wonderful while it lasts! It's one of those things that inspires you to find every possible way to enjoy it while you can. And oh my goodness, is this a fabulous idea for it! I'm not sure I've ever seen a cherry margarita recipe before, and now I'm wondering why on earth that would be - it's such a delicious idea!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It definitely doesn't last long enough, so I try to get in as many cherry-flavored drinks and treats as possible! I think you'll love this one!