Take advantage of cherry season & enjoy a Cherry Margarita or two! Fresh cherries turn your ordinary cocktail into something extra special for summer!
More booze! More summer cocktails!
Even more reasons to sit by the pool!
Which isn’t something I do a lot of, since I’m definitely a distant cousin of Casper. But drinks like these cherry margaritas make me want to sit back, soak up the sun, and think about stuff.
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Cherry season is far too short, in my opinion.
Those little ruby beauties are one of my favorite fruits! I’ve tried using them in everything from fruit salads to cupcakes to pies to decadent dessert grilled cheese. I’ve even used their juice in cold treats like these tart mojito cherry popsicles. Nothing beats them for me!
So of course, working them in to a cocktail was the next step.
What’s in fresh cherry margaritas?
Margaritas are a simple combination of three to five ingredients:
- Fresh cherries – I mean…it’s in the name!
- Tequila – blanco yields the best flavor for mixed drinks. Save the aged reposado and añejo for shots.
- Lime juice – always, always freshly squeezed! Don’t try to substitute in pre-squeezed juice, and please skip the margarita mix! Fresh is always SO much better!
- Sweetener – either simple syrup or agave nectar work well in any margarita. Opt for agave if you want to cut back on the calories!
- Cherry liqueur – ultimately, this is up to your tastes, but a little splash of liqueur adds a nice citrusy sweetness to the final product. You can also use raspberry liqueur – aka creme de cassis – for a little flavor twist.
- Rimming salt – coarse salt, kosher salt, sea salt… any of them work! You can also use a bit of granulated sugar for a little bit of a sweeter sip.
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
Ultimately, the best tequila for margaritas depends on personal preference and budget. Blanco tequilas are often the go-to choice for classic margaritas, but reposado or añejo tequilas provide a nice depth of flavor.
- Blanco tequila is unaged, or aged for a short period, making it a great choice for margaritas. It gives cocktails a fresh, vibrant flavor and is usually cheaper than aged tequilas. Our favorite brands are Casamigos Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Don Julio Blanco.
- Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for a few months, meaning smoother, more complex flavors. Our favorite brands are Roca Patrón Reposado, 1800 Reposado, and Herradura Reposado.
- Añejo tequila is aged for at least one year, and their robust flavors are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Our favorite brands are Don Julio Añejo, Patrón Añejo, and Olmeca Altos Añejo.
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely! While fresh cherries provide a vibrant flavor, you can certainly use frozen ones. Just thaw them before muddling or blending, and they’ll work just fine.
How to make cherry margaritas
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle fresh cherries, sugar, and lime juice to mostly a pulp.
- Add tequila, liqueur, and 1/4 cup ice. Shake vigorously for 45-60 seconds.
- Strain into 2 ice-filled glasses rimmed with salt, adding some of the muddled cherries to the glass as well.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry or two and a slice of lime.
To make a pitcher (8-10 servings):
- Add cherries and sugar to a food processor and pulse a few times, just to break down the fruit a bit. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart pitcher.
- Pour in the tequila, lime juice, and liqueur. Stir well, taste and adjust sweetness as desired, then refrigerate the pitcher until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, rim the glasses with salt (if desired) and fill each with ice.
- Pour the desired amount of margarita into the prepared glasses. Garnish with fresh cherries and a lime wheel and serve.
Love these cherry margaritas? Try these fantastic cocktail recipes next!
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Fresh Cherry Margaritas
Ingredients
Individual
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or agave nectar
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ cup tequila blanco
- ¼ cup cherry liqueur or raspberry liqueur
- Ice
- Sliced limes & fresh cherries for garnish
- Rimming salt
Pitcher (8-10 servings)
- 3 cups fresh cherries pitted
- ½ cup granulated sugar or agave nectar
- 2 ½ cups tequila blanco
- 1 ½ cups fresh lime juice
- 1/2-3/4 cup cherry liqueur or raspberry liqueur
- Ice
- Sliced limes & fresh cherries for garnish
- Rimming salt
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle cherries, sugar, and lime juice to mostly a pulp.
- Add tequila, liqueur, and 1/4 cup ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain into 2 ice-filled glasses rimmed with salt, adding some of the muddled cherries to the glass as well.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry or two and a slice of lime.
Pitcher
- Add cherries and sugar to a food processor and pulse a few times, just to break down the fruit a bit. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart pitcher.
- Pour in the tequila, lime juice, and liqueur. Stir well, taste and adjust sweetness as desired, then refrigerate the pitcher until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, rim the glasses with salt (if desired) and fill each with ice.
- Pour the desired amount of margarita into the prepared glasses. Garnish with fresh cherries and a lime wheel and serve.
Nikki says
I cannot wait to try this one! Haven’t had a cherry margarita before! Looks stunning!
Marye says
What an unusual margarita but SO pretty! My story is similar but includes a divorce after a 30 year marriage and a foray into business after being a stay at home mom. Being content is not enough for sure! Congrats on taking the step!
Liz says
I’m so happy that your journey has brought you to a really good place! Congratulations on making the hard decision to make a change. P.S. This margarita looks fabulous!
Laura Dembowski says
I’m happy that you’re happy 🙂 Good for you for going for it and even better that it’s working out. These margaritas look fab. I love cassis with all the rich currant flavors.
Christie says
I’ve been drooling over cherries at the grocery store. Now I have a reason to buy them! Looks DIVINE!
Hezzi-D says
Margaritas and cherries are two of my favorite things! This sounds so good!
Eileen says
I’m obsessed with cherries and margaritas are my favorite cocktail – so I’m on board.
28 years ago I left a boring but well paying corporate job to go to pastry school. This year I closed a successful custom cake business to blog full time. Both times people thought I was crazy. I’ve not regretted either choice. Glad you’re enjoying your new role.
Barrie says
I love this post. A: the recipe of course is drool-worthy, and B: The job change…but you left me hanging! Is it that you are doing your blog full time?If so,congratulations! That is awesome and I agreed very creative and fun. I am mid-stream in job change myself and searching…I am taking some mental notes on your brave journey! Good luck to you!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Love these photos, and love fresh cherry margaritas. Great recipe for Taco Tuesday!