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.
Lindsay says
I LOVE anything fresh cherry! These are so yummy and excellent for outdoor summertime drinks.
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
You are the queen of exquisite drinks! This Margarita is just another perfect formula. Blood orange is my favourite, but I need to try cherry too!:)
Lucy says
This is the perfect summer drink. The tartness of cherries and citrus from the lime compliments each other perfectly!
Buddy says
I always love the cherries in cocktails but the idea of cherry-flavoured cocktail had not crossed my mind! I cannot wait to try this!
Beth says
This is my new favorite margarita. It has been a really long week so I think I am going to mix some up tomorrow night.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Sounds like the perfect way to unwind!
Amy Desrosiers says
I never want to try another flavor again! This was amazing--wow, so darn delish!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad you think so, Amy! I really can't get enough.
Tavo says
Wao! That was new! I lived in Mexico and drank all kinds of Margaritas but never a cherry one! It was a fantastic twist! I have a new winner to impress my guests!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! The fresh cherries add such a wonderful summer flavor. Hope y'all have fun!
Nathan says
I'm such a fan of margaritas during the summer and this cherry margarita looks so refreshing! Next time I'm with my friends we're definitely going to try this out!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You will love it! As much as I love all types of margaritas, I can't stop going back to this one during the summer months.
Chenée says
This is my new favorite margarita! It's so perfect for this time of year when cherries are plentiful!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It's definitely one of my favorite ways to use fresh cherries!
Jeri says
Oh my gosh! Wow! This margarita is now my all-time favorite! I just bought some cherries at the store the other day and decided to use them in this cocktail! I had a couple of friends over for a drink in the evening, and they couldn't stop raving about this margarita! It was so refreshing and full of cherry flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Oh, yay! It sounds like it was a great time, and I'm so happy it was a hit!
Nora says
The perfect summer drink! I love it! Can't wait to make it, when we have friends over again! Thanks for sharing!
Melinda says
What a refreshing and fun way to enjoy cherries! We are margarita fans and this is a combination that I’m excited to try, especially with the cheesecake recipe you recommended.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You will love the two together!
Amy says
Having a small birthday party next weekend and was looking for some cocktails to make that looked pretty at the same time. Love the combination of fresh cherries and margarita! So refreshing. Made a small batch to try yesterday and it was yum! Can't wait to serve these up at my party!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Oh, yay! I'm so glad. Have the best time!
Jeannie says
I will be sharing and have this recipe with friends for sure they will be delighted. Thanks for this easy recipe.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You are very welcome!
Freya says
I agree about the Luxardo, it has a much better taste, some cherry products can taste so synthetic, but this was absolutely perfect!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Right?! I'm so glad you loved it! I just savor every sip.