This Cherry Margarita recipe puts a twist on the classic cocktail using fresh cherries and a little maraschino liqueur. This margarita is perfect for BBQs, picnics, and parties. You will be making this cherry cocktail all summer long!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love margaritas and this Cherry Margarita is my new favorite for summer! When the cherry season rolls around every year I always find myself with an abundance of cherries. This year my friend suggested a cherry cocktail and the rest was history!
How to Make a Cherry Lime Margarita
Prepare your favorite lowball cocktail glass with fresh ice. Place the cherries in a cocktail shaker and muddle them with a muddler until nice and crushed. Add the tequila, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice and shake for 20-30 seconds.
Expert Tips for This Cherry Cocktail Recipe
- The more you muddle the cherries, the more cherry flavor you will extract. I would suggest muddling for 45-60 seconds.
- The same goes for shaking a cocktail. You want all of the ingredients to mix together and for the cocktail to get nice and cold. Make sure you shake for a good 20-40 seconds.
- This cherry cocktail is also delicious unstrained with the cherry pieces still in the drink.
- If you want more liquid, add a splash of tonic water or club soda.
- If you want the cocktail to be less sweet, add more lime juice, omit the agave nectar, or add salt to the rim of the glass.
What Tequila to Use
I recommend using silver tequila for this drink. Although silver tequila usually has a harsher taste, it's perfect for cocktails because it mixes with the rest of the ingredients to tone down the harshness.
Good gold tequila is usually expensive and is best reserved for sipping, in my opinion. You can also find 100% agave silver tequila for a decent price. I used Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila which you can usually find for under $30.
But, as with all homemade cocktails, you can use whichever tequila is your favorite!
What is Maraschino Liqueur?
Maraschino liqueur originated in Croatia and is made from Marasca cherries. It's a clear, cherry-flavored liqueur that isn't overly sweet so it's perfect for cocktails like the Last Word or my Gin Elderflower Cocktail.
Any home bar should have a bottle of Maraschino Liqueur in it. If you can find the Luxardo brand, Maraska, and Lazzarroni are both good options.
If you get a chance to make this Cherry Margarita Recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Cherry Margarita
Equipment
- strainer
Ingredients
- 10 fresh cherries, rinsed and pitted
- 2 ounces tequila (I used a silver tequila)
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur ( I used Luxardo brand)
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce agave nectar
- fresh cherry or lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your favorite lowball cocktail glass with fresh ice. Place the cherries in a cocktail shaker and muddle them with a muddler until nice and crushed.
- Add the tequila, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass and garnish. Cheers!
Notes
- This cocktail is also delicious unstrained with the cherry pieces in the drink.
- If you want more liquid, add a splash of tonic water or club soda.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Ramona says
I’ve made this cherry margarita with cherries from my garden. It was absolutely delicious and refreshing, thank you so much for sharing!
Emily says
I’m so glad you loved this cocktail and I’m jealous you can just grab cherries from your garden! 😁
Natalie says
I'm definitely making this. Looks refreshing and perfect for summertime. My hubs will love this too I'm sure.
Emily says
I hope you and your husband enjoy this one!
Toni says
I really loved how refreshing this drink is! Thank you for the recipe!
Emily says
You’re welcome, Toni!
Brianna says
I'm always looking for new ways to use my Luxardo liquer, this cherry marg was fab!
Emily says
I’m glad you liked it! I love using Luxardo whenever I can!
Anaiah says
Oh, this sounds amazing! Definitely going to add this cherry margarita recipe to our poolside bar. It'll make parties that much more fun!
Emily says
This margarita was made for poolside fun!! Enjoy!