If you’re craving something crisp, colorful, and a little nostalgic, this Cherry Limeade Margarita hits all the right notes. It blends the classic tang of limeade with juicy cherry flavor and a tequila kick. It’s easy to shake up for one, or scale for a crowd without fuss.
Think backyard cookouts, late summer evenings, or a casual taco night with friends. This is a cocktail that feels playful, looks stunning, and tastes like sunshine in a glass.
What Makes This Special
This margarita brings together two flavors people love: cherry and lime. The cherry adds a touch of sweetness and that deep, jewel-toned color, while lime keeps everything bright and tart.
Tequila ties it together with a smooth, earthy backbone, and a hint of orange liqueur makes the fruit pop. It’s familiar, but not boring. It feels like a classic you’ve known forever, with a cheerful twist that’s easy to love.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila (or reposado for a warmer, vanilla note)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 1 ounce cherry juice (100% cherry juice or tart cherry concentrate diluted to taste)
- 0.75 ounce orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau)
- 0.5–0.75 ounce simple syrup (adjust for sweetness; cherry juices vary)
- Ice (for shaking and serving)
- Coarse salt or sugar (optional, for the rim)
- Lime wedge (for rimming and garnish)
- Maraschino or fresh cherries (for garnish)
Optional boosts: A splash of club soda for fizz, a few drops of cherry bitters for depth, or a pinch of flaky salt directly in the drink to sharpen the flavors.
Instructions
- Prep the glass. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks or margarita glass.
Dip the rim into coarse salt, sugar, or a 50/50 mix. Set aside.
- Measure your ingredients. Add tequila, lime juice, cherry juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup to a shaker. Start with 0.5 ounce simple syrup; you can add more later.
- Ice and shake hard. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake for 12–15 seconds until the outside is frosty. This chills and slightly dilutes the drink for balance.
- Taste and adjust. Crack the shaker, take a small sip. Add a splash more simple syrup if it’s too tart, or an extra squeeze of lime if it’s too sweet.
- Strain and serve. Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice.
Strain the cocktail over the ice. For a cleaner sip, use a fine strainer to catch pulp and ice shards.
- Garnish. Add a lime wheel and a cherry. If you like bubbles, top with 1–2 ounces of club soda.
Keeping It Fresh
Fresh lime juice makes a big difference.
Squeeze right before mixing, or keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours in a sealed jar. If you’re batching for guests, combine everything except ice and club soda in a pitcher, then chill. Add ice to individual glasses, not the pitcher, to avoid watering it down.
Cherry flavor can fade if it sits too long, especially if you’re using fresh cherry puree. For the best color and flavor, mix the cherry component within a day of serving. Store any extra simple syrup in the fridge for up to a month in a clean, sealed bottle.
Health Benefits
This is still a cocktail, but there are a few small perks.
Lime juice provides vitamin C and that bright, refreshing lift. If you use 100% tart cherry juice, you’ll get antioxidants and naturally occurring compounds that support recovery and sleep quality. Moderation matters, though.
Alcohol can offset these benefits if you overdo it, so enjoy slowly and pair your drink with food and water.
What Not to Do
- Don’t use bottled lime juice if you can help it. It can taste flat or bitter, and the drink won’t sparkle.
- Don’t skip measuring. Eyeballing can make the drink too sweet or too harsh. Use a jigger for consistency.
- Don’t overload the rim. A thick crust of salt or sugar can overwhelm the first few sips.
A light, even coat is best.
- Don’t shake with soda. If you want fizz, add it after shaking. Otherwise, you’ll lose the bubbles and risk a sticky mess.
- Don’t rely on syrup alone. If your cherry juice is already sweet, heavy syrup will make the drink cloying. Taste and adjust.
Variations You Can Try
- Frozen Cherry Limeade Margarita: Blend the ingredients with a cup of crushed ice.
Add a splash more cherry juice if it needs color or flavor.
- Smoky Cherry Mezcal Margarita: Swap half or all of the tequila for mezcal. The gentle smoke pairs beautifully with cherry.
- Spicy Cherry: Muddle a few jalapeño slices in the shaker, or infuse your tequila with chili. Balance the heat with a touch more syrup.
- Cherry Vanilla: Add a tiny splash of real vanilla extract (just a drop or two) or use a reposado tequila with vanilla notes.
- Light and Fizzy: Cut back the tequila to 1.5 ounces and top with 2–3 ounces of club soda.
It drinks like an adult cherry lime spritz.
- Cherry Limeade Mocktail: Skip the alcohol. Use 2 ounces cherry juice, 1 ounce fresh lime, 0.5–0.75 ounce simple syrup, and top with sparkling water.
FAQ
Can I use grenadine instead of cherry juice?
Grenadine will add color and pomegranate-cherry sweetness, but it’s sweeter than cherry juice. If you use it, start with 0.25–0.5 ounce and reduce or skip the simple syrup.
The flavor will be different—still tasty, just less tart.
Which tequila works best?
A clean, 100% agave blanco is classic and lets the lime and cherry shine. If you prefer a rounder, slightly oaky profile, a reposado adds warmth without overpowering the fruit. Avoid heavily aged añejo for this recipe; it can feel too rich.
How do I make a big batch?
Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings and mix everything except ice and soda in a pitcher.
Chill for at least an hour. When serving, pour over fresh ice and top with soda if using. Keep a bowl of lime wedges and cherries nearby for easy garnishing.
Is tart cherry concentrate okay?
Yes.
Dilute it according to the bottle’s instructions, then measure 1 ounce for the recipe. Tart concentrate brings bold flavor and that eye-catching color. You may need a bit more simple syrup to balance the extra tang.
What’s the best rim: salt or sugar?
Both work.
Salt plays up the margarita’s citrusy snap, while sugar leans into the cherry-limeade vibe. A half-and-half rim gives you the best of both worlds and looks great.
Can I use a premade limeade?
You can, but choose one that isn’t overly sweet and still add fresh lime juice to brighten it. If your limeade is sweet, reduce or skip the simple syrup.
Taste as you go so the tartness stays front and center.
In Conclusion
A Cherry Limeade Margarita is easy to love and simple to master. With fresh lime, real cherry flavor, and a well-chosen tequila, you get a drink that’s vivid, balanced, and party-ready. Keep the measurements tight, taste as you go, and don’t be afraid to tweak the sweetness.
Whether you shake one for yourself or batch a pitcher for friends, this playful twist on a classic always delivers. Cheers.
