Description
This drink is perfectly balanced with sweet fruit, tangy lime, and that delicious almond flavor from the amaretto. Ready in just 5 minutes and looks impressive enough for parties. The fresh cherries add natural sweetness and a gorgeous color that makes this drink stand out.
Ingredients
5 sweet dark cherries, pitted and stems removed
½ oz agave nectar
¾ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1½ oz blanco tequila or mezcal
1 oz amaretto liqueur
Ice cubes
Fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
1. Add the pitted cherries, agave nectar, and lime juice to your cocktail shaker. Use a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon to mash the cherries into a pulp. Make sure each cherry is completely broken apart to release all that sweet juice and flavor.
2. Pour in the tequila or mezcal and amaretto. Give everything a quick stir to combine all the flavors before adding ice.
3. Add a generous handful of ice cubes to the shaker. Seal it tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker feels ice cold and develops condensation all over.
4. Fill a cocktail glass with fresh ice cubes. Strain the margarita through a cocktail strainer into the glass, leaving the muddled cherry pulp behind in the shaker. Garnish with a few fresh cherries on a cocktail pick and serve immediately.
Notes
Use fresh, ripe dark sweet cherries when they’re in season. They should be firm but give slightly when pressed. Remove pits and stems before muddling.
Amaretto brings that distinctive sweet almond flavor. Popular brands include Disaronno or any quality amaretto liqueur.
Fresh lime juice is crucial for the right balance. Don’t use bottled juice.
Blanco tequila works beautifully, but mezcal adds a subtle smoky note that pairs wonderfully with the cherries.
MOCKTAIL VERSION: Replace tequila with club soda and swap amaretto for ½ oz diet cola + ½ oz almond syrup.
Frozen cherries work if fresh aren’t available. Thaw them first and use 6-7 since frozen ones are smaller.
Make multiple drinks by multiplying the recipe, but shake in batches of 2-3 drinks at a time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg