Whip up a pitcher of these Cherry Margaritas for your next summer party! Perfect for a crowd and packed with flavor!
Why This Recipe is Best
These Cherry Margaritas are bright, refreshing and the perfect cool drink to sip on a warm summer evening.
From the cheery red color to the sweet cherry flavor, they just scream summertime!
- Go big or go home. We’re making a BIG batch of margaritas, so invite your friends and neighbors over!
- Frozen cherries make this recipe easy to make anytime of year, but you can also substitute fresh cherries if they are available.
- The fresh lime juice and triple sec add a great citrus flavor to brighten these margaritas.
Ingredient Notes
- Cherries – Get a bag of frozen tart cherries, with the pits removed, to make this recipe extra easy. Or swap in fresh cherries; just remove the pits and measure out 2 cups.
- Tequila – I use a mid-shelf variety that’s our go-to for mixed drinks.
- Triple Sec – This is the orange liqueur we keep on hand, but any variety (such as Cointreau) would work well here.
- Lime Juice – You need 2 full cups of lime juice, which is about 24 fresh limes. Use a citrus press to make quick work of it.
Easy Instructions
STEP 1. Make the simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
STEP 2. Add the cherries. Blend the simple syrup and cherries in a blender until pureed.
STEP 3. Make the margaritas. Combine the cherry mixture with the tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Stir together well.
STEP 4. Garnish and serve. Dip the rim of the glass in extra simple syrup (or water) and then dip in turbinado sugar. Add ice and margarita mixture, garnish with a lime slice and serve!
Tips and Tricks
- Blend the cherries until completely smooth. The puree shouldn’t have any lumps in it.
- You don’t have to go to top shelf, but don’t cheap out on the tequila either. The flavor will come through, so a solid mid-range tequila is a good bet.
- Have fun with the garnishes! Dipping the rim of your glasses in the turbinado sugar adds a sweet and pretty presentation. Lime slices or wedges also look great in contrast with the red drinks. You could add fresh cherries or even maraschino or fancy cocktail cherries on a skewer for extra cherry love.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can mix these together in a pitcher up to a few hours in advance. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
You can substitute fresh, tart cherries for the frozen. Be sure to remove the pits and then measure 2 cups worth.
You could use vodka in place of the tequila if you prefer.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Christmas Punch
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Pineapple Sangria
- BBC Drink – frozen baileys, banana, and coconut cocktail!
- Frozen Brandy Slush – make it in an ice cream bucket!
- Cranberry Ginger Ale Punch
- The Perfect Tan – an ice cream milkshake with Baileys!
- Lemonade Beer with Cherry Rum
- MORE DRINKS!
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Cherry Margaritas
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups frozen tart cherries pits removed (or fresh)
- 1 bottle tequila 750 ml
- 2 cups triple sec
- 2 cups lime juice
- ¼ cup turbinado sugar for garnish
- 1 lime sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, make a simple syrup by combining the water with the sugar. Whisk over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
- In a large blender, combine simple syrup with frozen cherries (or fresh). Blend until pureed.
- For the pitcher of margaritas, combine cherry mixture with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Refrigerate or serve immediately, stir together.
- To garnish the glass, dip rim of glass in extra simple syrup (or water) and then dip in turbinado sugar. Add ice and margaritas. Place a slice of lime on each glass, enjoy!
Notes
- Blend the cherries until completely smooth. The puree shouldn’t have any lumps in it.
- You don’t have to go to top shelf, but don’t cheap out on the tequila either. The flavor will come through, so a solid mid-range tequila is a good bet.
- Have fun with the garnishes! Dipping the rim of your glasses in the turbinado sugar adds a sweet and pretty presentation. Lime slices or wedges also look great in contrast with the red drinks. You could add fresh cherries or even maraschino or fancy cocktail cherries on a skewer for extra cherry love.
Do you have a break down of the recipe to not make a full pitcher but for 2 glasses?
I used half fresh cherries and half Maraschino cherries and poured some Maraschino cherry juice and cut back on the simple syrup. I don’t drink but it’s a treat for my wife and she likes it, says it was one of my best attempts at making a store bought drink since Bars are shut down for Chinese Wuhan Virus.
Made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. I was going to squeeze the lime juice from fresh limes and did about 8 limes before I ran out and had about a half cup or so of bottled lime juice so I only ended up with 1.5c of lime juice. I would probably cut back on the simple syrup ever so slightly, although maybe it would’ve been a perfect balance had I the full 2c of lime juice. Also I had burnt orange sugar from milk street that I used to rim the glass…. ahhhhhmazzing! I’m on my 3rd!
This drink looks so good. I can’t wait for some warmer weather (or a good party) to share it with friends.
I made it without the alcohol and it was fantastic!
The best kind of margarita! Love the cherry flavor!
Yum! You don’t see a lot of cherry drinks recipes, so love that this is different. Plus, what a great roundup of other choices! We’re moving this summer, so pretty sure I’m going to need all of those. Thanks, Aimee!
You’re welcome. Good luck with your move!!