This frozen cherry margarita is rich and refreshing. It’s a beautiful blended cocktail with real cherry flavor and a gorgeous deep red color. The lime keeps it bright and balanced, and it comes together in just a few minutes.

A frozen cherry margarita fills a cocktail glass with a salted rim, garnished perfectly with a cherry on top. A lime wedge rests beside the glass on the gray surface, completing this delightful drinks presentation.

About this frozen cherry margarita

The frozen cherry margarita is a fruity blended cocktail made with tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, cherries, cherry simple syrup, and ice. It’s easy to make at home if you have a blender, and it’s a great choice when you want something slushy and refreshing. Just blend everything until smooth.

Fresh cherries work beautifully when they’re in season, but frozen cherries are just as good (and sometimes even better for getting that thick, icy texture). The cherry simple syrup adds extra sweetness and deepens the cherry flavor. If you want to go even further, a splash of cherry liqueur or amaretto brings out those subtle almond-like notes that cherries naturally have.

I like using blanco tequila here because it’s clean and lets the cherry shine, but reposado works too if you want a little more depth.

Just a few ingredients

Tequila: Blanco tequila works best. It’s crisp and clean, which lets the cherry flavor come through. Reposado adds a touch of oak if you prefer something a little smoother.
Cherries: Fresh or frozen both work great. Frozen cherries actually help make the drink thicker and icier. Make sure they’re pitted.
Cherry simple syrup: This is what gives the drink its deep cherry flavor and sweetness. Homemade tastes best (especially with a touch of almond extract), but store-bought works too.
Triple sec: Adds a subtle orange sweetness that complements the cherry. Cointreau is a nice upgrade if you have it.
Fresh lime juice: Always use fresh. It’s what keeps the drink from being too sweet and gives it that bright, balanced flavor.
Cherry liqueur (optional): Adds a more intense, rich cherry flavor. De Kuyper or similar works well. You could also use amaretto for those almond-like notes.

How to make

If you want a rimmed glass, rub a lime wedge around the edge and dip it into a small plate of salt or sugar.
In a blender, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cherry simple syrup, cherries, and ice. Blend until smooth.
Pour into your prepped glass and garnish with a lime wheel and a fresh cherry.

A black blender filled with red smoothie sits on a kitchen counter. The smoothie is partially blended and splattered inside the clear plastic container. The background features a white tiled wall.

A vibrant red frozen cherry margarita is being poured into a salt-rimmed glass. The glass sits on a gray countertop with a white tile backsplash in the background.

Tips

Use frozen cherries for a thicker texture. They’re already cold, so they help the drink stay icy without getting watered down.
Adjust the sweetness. If your cherries are very sweet, you might want less syrup. Taste the blend before pouring and add more syrup or lime as needed.
Don’t skip the lime. Fresh lime juice is what keeps this from tasting like a cherry slushie. It balances the sweetness and makes it taste like a proper margarita.
Add the ice gradually. Start with one cup, blend, and add more if you want it thicker. It’s easier to add more than to fix a too-thick drink.

Variations

Non-alcoholic version: Skip the tequila and triple sec. Blend the cherries, syrup, lime juice, and ice with a splash of orange juice and top with sparkling water.
Spicy cherry margarita: Add a few slices of jalapeño to the blender before blending.
Smoky version: Swap the tequila for mezcal for a nice smoky depth.

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