Cool off with a Cherry + Rhubarb Margarita: a bright summer cocktail made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and cherry-rhubarb simple syrup blended into a refreshing frozen slush. It’s perfect for backyard parties, entertaining, or easy warm-weather sipping.
The cocktail starts with a flavorful simple syrup made from Michigan cherries and fresh rhubarb. This syrup gives the margarita a vivid red hue and a balanced tart-sweet profile that pairs beautifully with lime and tequila.
Cherry + Rhubarb Margarita
This is a tidy go-to cocktail that’s simple to make and guaranteed to impress. With fresh rhubarb and cherries in season, it’s a perfect drink to share with guests on a hot afternoon.
Making the Cherry-Rhubarb Syrup
The syrup is the flavor base: combine 1 cup pitted cherries and 1 cup rhubarb (cut into 1-inch pieces) with 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Bring to a brief boil, then mash the fruit to release juices. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for about ten minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar and cool before using. Store in the fridge and use to flavor cocktails, sodas, or mocktails.
More Rhubarb Drink Ideas
Try rhubarb in other cocktails such as rhubarb & strawberry bourbon, lavender + rhubarb gin, or a rhubarb frozen slush for seasonal variety.
This margarita is flexible: tequila is classic, but vodka, rum, or even bourbon work well if you prefer a different spirit. The cherry-rhubarb syrup ties the drink together and pairs nicely with both bright and warmer spirits.
Summer Cocktail: Cherry + Rhubarb Margarita
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2½ ounces cherry-rhubarb simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 4 dashes cherry bitters
- 4 frozen cherry popsicles, sticks removed (or frozen cherries)
- 2½ cups ice
- Rim two margarita glasses with coarse salt.
Directions
- Add tequila, lime juice, cherry-rhubarb simple syrup, cherry bitters, frozen popsicles (or frozen cherries), and ice to a blender.
- Pulse or blend until the mixture reaches a slushy consistency.
- Pour into the prepared glasses.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a stemmed cherry wrapped in a thin sliver of rhubarb, or a simple cherry and lime wedge.
- Serve immediately.
Notes:
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin ribbons of rhubarb for an elegant garnish.
- To simplify serving, replace rhubarb garnish with a cherry and lime wedge.
Cherry-Rhubarb Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 8–10 ripe sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 large stalk rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Directions
- Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add pitted cherries and rhubarb pieces.
- Cook until the rhubarb is tender and the cherries have softened.
- Mash the fruit with a potato masher to release juices.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for about 10 minutes.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar and cool before using.
Use this syrup in cocktails, sparkling water, iced tea, or any drink that needs a bright fruit note.
This margarita is one you’ll return to all summer: the combination of Michigan cherries and garden rhubarb captures sunny, relaxed days and pairs with a wide range of grilled foods, salads, and seasonal snacks.
Tips & Variations
Make ahead?
Because it’s a frozen cocktail, it’s best served fresh. If needed, you can blend the mixture, freeze it, and re-blend briefly before serving to restore the slush texture.
Substitutes for popsicles
Swap frozen cherries plus an extra splash of syrup, or use cherry-juice ice cubes for similar flavor without the popsicles.
Non-alcoholic version
Omit the tequila and top with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a bright, boozy-free mocktail.
Adjusting sweetness
Taste and adjust: add more syrup if it’s too tart, or more lime if it’s too sweet.
Best tequila to use
Blanco tequila keeps the drink bright; reposado adds warmth. Use a tequila you enjoy sipping.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry + Rhubarb Margarita is an inviting, versatile summer cocktail that’s easy to make and easy to love. Try it with different spirits, switch up garnishes, or scale the recipe for a party pitcher. Raise a glass to long, sunny days and seasonal flavors.
More Margarita Recipes
Explore other margarita variations like cherry, strawberry, bourbon margarita punch, frozen strawberry, or frozen coconut margaritas for more seasonal inspiration.