How to Make the Best Cherry Margarita
Updated: Sep. 01, 2020
Celebrate peak cherry season with this flavorful and juicy cherry margarita.
Ah, the margarita…a traditional cocktail made with tequila and triple sec, served in a salt-rimmed glass with ice. We’re here to show you a delicious, deep red take on the classic lime green wonder. Behold, the cherry margarita!
You may be thinking, “Cherry? In a margarita? But how?” This libation has a lot going for it. Not only are cherries tasty, but they’re also extremely good for you. And the cherry margarita packs a sweet punch with just enough kick of agave and salt to become an instant favorite.
Plus, lucky for us, the margarita is, an extremely versatile cocktail. You can play with a ton of different fruits to create your own elixir – or even learn how to make a margarita three different ways!
How to Make a Cherry Margarita
This juicy recipe comes to us from Crystal Jo Bruns of Colorado. It makes 4 tasty drinks.
Ingredients
- Lime wedges
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup cherry juice (or cherry juice blend)
- 4 ounces tequila (We found the best one for margs!)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 package (12 ounces) frozen pitted dark sweet cherries
- Honey, optional
- 2 cups ice, optional
Step 1: Salt the Rim
Using the lime wedges, moisten the rims of 4 margarita or cocktail glasses. Set aside the lime wedges for garnish. Sprinkle some kosher salt onto a plate. Hold each glass upside down and dip the rims into a generous amount of salt, enough to cover the edges. Set the drinking glasses aside.
Step 2: Blend It All Together
In a blender, combine the cherry juice, tequila, lime juice, frozen cherries and, if desired, honey for some sweetness. (Start with 1 tablespoon.) If you’d like your margarita to be slushy, add ice to the blender as well. Cover and process until completely blended, about 45 seconds to one minute. (Have you tried an Italian margarita? Get the recipe here.)
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy
Pour the margarita into each of the prepared glasses. Garnish with the reserved lime wedges and a cherry. Cheers!
If you need more reasons to love cherries, check out these juicy facts about the lovely red fruit.
More Fruity Drinks for Summer Sippin’
Summertime Watermelon Punch for a CrowdI attended a patio party years ago where the hostess had a clever watermelon “bowl” with a scalloped edge and filled with this punch. It was the hit of the party, and she was kind enough to share the delicious punch recipe with me. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Bonus: If you like this, you might appreciate a watermelon keg, too.
Lemony Fruit CoolerThis punch looks so pretty with all the colorful fruit floating in the bowl. It has a refreshing taste and is easy to put together. —Dawn Shackelford, Fort Worth, Texas
Nectarine, Basil and Clementine Infused WaterNectarine and basil may sound a little strange, but trust us, this combination is a real winner. A few slices of clementine seal the deal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Honeydew Lime CoolerServe up a frosty glass of this citrusy blend of lime sherbet and honeydew melon for a real thirst-quencher. I like to sip this on warm afternoons, but it's equally good for breakfast or brunch. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Rhubarb Lemonade SlushMy family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Strawberry-Lavender Infused WaterA little bit of lavender goes a long way, so be sure not to overdo it! This pretty combo screams summer, but you can also dry out the lavender and enjoy this anytime.
Guava Coconut Rum CocktailMy beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
Raspberry and Lemon Infused WaterIf you're craving raspberry lemonade but are trying to cut back on your sugar intake, this infused water is the perfect substitute. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Tropical CoolerWith only four simple ingredients, this refreshing punch is easy to stir up in just 10 minutes. I served it at a party for my son, and everyone liked the slightly tart flavor. —Robin Werner, Brush Prairie, Washington
Cherry Fruit SmoothiesYou need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
Rosemary LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Raspberry Iced TeaOne sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Blueberry Lime SlushMy husband's family makes a cranberry beverage for the holidays. I changed it up and serve it this way in winter and summer, when blueberries are in season. —Rebecca Bratsman, Tacoma, Washington
Cran-Grape CoolerYou’re three quick ingredients away from refreshment with this easy-to-drink cooler that’s bound to keep you, well, cool. Didi Desjardins — Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Peach-Basil CoolerMix peaches and basil with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Grilled Lemon & Thyme LemonadeWe use our grill for most summer dinners, so we thought, "why not grill the lemonade?" The flavor is surprisingly smooth, with just the right amount of honey and herbs. We call it Thyme for Lemonade. —Susan Jordan, Denver, Colorado
Watermelon MargaritasSummer’s best flavors get frosty in the cocktail we serve at all our backyard shindigs. We mix sun-ripened watermelon and our favorite tequila with just the right amount of ice for a thick and boozy sipper that’s perfect when we’re grilling and chilling.—Alicia Cummings, Marshalltown, Iowa
Red, White and Blue Frozen LemonadeThis patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Orange Juice SpritzerHere’s a zippy twist on regular orange juice. It is not too sweet and is refreshing with any breakfast or brunch entree. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
Originally Published: June 27, 2019
