I love a cherry daiquiri. It’s a classic daiquiri with cherry liqueur and homemade cherry syrup added, and the result is a deep, rich cocktail with a beautiful ruby red color and a real cherry flavor that doesn’t taste artificial.
About this recipe
A classic daiquiri is rum, lime juice, and simple syrup and this version swaps the simple syrup for cherry simple syrup and adds a splash of cherry liqueur. The cherry liqueur brings depth and a slightly boozy cherry note, and the syrup adds sweetness and a more concentrated fruit flavor. Together they make the drink taste genuinely cherry without being cloying.
The cherry syrup is worth making yourself. My homemade cherry simple syrup is super quick to make and tastes much better than anything from a bottle. The syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries also works well if you have some on hand.
Shaken hard and strained into a chilled coupe. For more cocktail ideas, browse my vodka cocktail recipes.
Key ingredients and why
- White rum: A light white rum keeps things clean and lets the cherry come through.
- Cherry liqueur: Adds a rich, boozy cherry depth that the syrup alone can’t give.
- Fresh lime juice: The sour element that balances the sweetness of the cherry. Always use fresh!
- Cherry simple syrup: Adds sweetness and concentrated cherry flavor. My homemade cherry syrup is delicious but the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries works as a substitute.
Method
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer while you make the drink.
- Add the rum, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and cherry syrup to a cocktail shaker with a generous handful of ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Related recipes
- Cherry Gimlet – another cherry cocktail with lime
- Cherry Gin Sour – gin with cherry syrup and egg white foam
- Coconut Daiquiri – a creamy tropical daiquiri
- Passionfruit Coconut Daiquiri – a tropical mashup
Cherry Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz white rum
- 1/2 oz cherry liqueur
- 3/4 oz lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 oz cherry syrup or maraschino syrup
- Ice
- Cocktail cherries to garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer.
- Add the rum, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and cherry syrup to a cocktail shaker with a generous handful of ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Notes
- Cherry Syrup: Full recipe at cherry simple syrup. Keeps in the fridge for two weeks. The syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries works as a substitute.
- Shake hard for a full 15 seconds – you want the drink properly cold.
