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.
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’
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Three simple ingredients are all you need to create this fresh and fruity summer beverage. It's bound to become a warm-weather favorite.—Krista E Collins, Concord, North Carolina
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I 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
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This 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 Water
Nectarine 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
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This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Orange Dream Mimosas
Your inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
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My 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
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A 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 Cocktail
My 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
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It couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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If you're craving raspberry lemonade but are trying to cut back on your sugar intake, this infused water is the perfect substitute.—James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Tropical Cooler
With 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
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Experimenting in the kitchen's fun for me. That's how I came up with this recipe—I adapted it from two different recipes I got from friends for a melon ball basket and for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama
Sparkling Rhubarb Spritzer
Folks with a rhubarb plant or two will love this recipe. It's a nice change from the usual lemonade—we enjoy it all summer long. —Sue Rebers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea
Every special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Rainbow Spritzer
Layers of colorful fruit submerged in a fizzy, sweet beverage make this a kid-friendly sipper that gets two thumbs up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Blueberry Mojitos
Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Cherry Fruit Smoothies
You 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 Lemonade
A 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 Tea
One sip and you'll likely agree this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted.—Christine Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Rhubarb Mint Tea
A bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Watermelon-Strawberry Cooler
My family gulps this frosty cooler because we love, love, love watermelon. The strawberries give it an extra pop. This is a perfect drink for Texas heat. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Rhubarb Citrus Punch
Rhubarb grows abundantly in our large farm garden. I'll make this punch for summertime gatherings or for special occasions with our extended family. —Ina Frey, St. Clemens, Ontario
Blueberry Lime Slush
My 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
Mango Smoothies
Treat yourself to this yummy blend of mango, pineapple, banana and honey. The yogurt makes it rich and creamy, but a serving has only 2 grams of fat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Peach Smoothie
Whip up this creamy concoction as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas
Sweet Raspberry Tea
You only need a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing, spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie
Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
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You’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 Cooler
Mix peaches and basil with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Grilled Lemon & Thyme Lemonade
We 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 Margaritas
Summer’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 Lemonade
This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is tasty. Layering cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that sings with Fourth of July pride. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Orange Juice Spritzer
This refreshing and pretty spritzer is a nice light wake-me-up drink and an easy way to give a twist to an ordinary glass of orange juice. Most people appreciate that it is not overly sweet.—Michelle Krzmarzick, Redondo Beach, California
Blackberry Lemonade
Here's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. In this minty tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Strawberry-Basil Refresher
Fresh strawberries and basil are everywhere, so get them together for a cooler that’s pure sunshine. I garnish with basil leaves and sip outdoors. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
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Ceara Milligan