July 3, 2021

Cherry Margarita

Name: Cherry Margarita
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 10 fresh cherries, rinsed and pitted; 2 oz tequila ((I used a silver tequila)); 1/2 oz maraschino liqueur (( I used Luxardo brand)); 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice; 3/4 oz agave nectar; fresh cherry or lime wedge for garnish

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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!

cherry margarita with tequila and maraschino liqueur

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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 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. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass and garnish. Cheers!

Tips for Making a Perfect Cherry Lime Margarita

The more you muddle the cherries, the more cherry flavor you will extract. I would suggest muddling for 45-60 seconds.
The same goes with 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.

a cherry margarita on ice with two cherries as garnish

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.

a cherry margarita, tequila, maraschino liqueur, and cherries

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