The first time I made this Coca Cola Margarita I was skeptical about cola in a margarita.
One sip erased doubts; the cherry and cola add a fizzy, sweet backbone to the classic lime-and-tequila tartness.
It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing cocktail that feels elevated but comes together in minutes.
This recipe works whether you’re mixing for two or scaling up for a backyard party.
If you like riffs on tequila drinks, this one’s worth bookmarking and pinning to your cocktail board.
For an easy dessert-cocktail pairing, try it alongside a simple chocolate treat like 10-minute chocolate rolls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under five minutes from start to finish.
- Balanced: Bright lime cuts through sweet cola and amaretto.
- Textural: Fresh mashed cherries add body and a slight jammy mouthfeel.
- Versatile: Swap the cola, tequila, or amaretto to suit tastes or pantry odds and ends.
The drink is fizzy and slightly effervescent from the cola, with a chewy, fresh-fruit texture from the mashed cherries.
Amaretto brings a warm almond-kissed sweetness that rounds the tequila’s agave bite.
Lime juice keeps the whole glass bright and drinkable, preventing sweetness from becoming cloying.
"Absolutely delicious — the cherry notes with cola and tequila felt like a grown-up soda. My guests asked for the recipe!" — Reader, 5 stars
Key Ingredients
Fresh cherries
Fresh cherries are the flavor anchor here. Mashing them releases both juice and pulp which gives the margarita a natural, unprocessed sweetness and a slight chew. Use ripe Bing or Rainier cherries for the best color and flavor; if cherries are out of season, thawed frozen cherries work surprisingly well.
Lime juice
Fresh-squeezed lime is non-negotiable. Bottled lime juice lacks the bright citrus oils that lift the drink and balance the amaretto’s sweetness. Squeeze right before mixing for the cleanest, sharpest citrus note.
Tequila
A blanco tequila works best—its clean agave flavors play nicely against sweet amaretto and cola. Choose a 100% agave label for quality; cheaper mixto tequilas can taste harsh against the drink’s sweetness.
Amaretto
Amaretto adds almond and marzipan notes that turn the cocktail from a simple soda mashup into something layered. Use a good-quality amaretto (Disaronno is classic) but don’t overdo it; a little goes a long way to sweeten and round the edges.
Full ingredients list:
- Fresh cherries (about 6–8 per cocktail)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (per serving)
- 1/2–3/4 oz amaretto
- 1 1/2 oz tequila (blanco recommended)
- Cola of choice, chilled (to top)
- Ice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the cherries
Wash and pit the cherries, then add them to a cocktail shaker.
Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, mash until the cherries give up juice and the mixture is pulpy.
Pro Tip: If you want a smoother texture, strain the cherry mash through a fine sieve, pressing with a spoon to extract all the flavor.
Step 2: Add the citrus and spirits
Measure in the lime juice, amaretto, and tequila on top of the mashed cherries.
Add a good handful of ice to the shaker to chill evenly.
Pro Tip: Use chilled tequila and cold lime to keep dilution minimal and flavor bright.
Step 3: Shake to combine
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds to fully integrate the cherry pulp with the spirits and lime.
You’ll see the mixture lighten slightly as air and cold marry the ingredients.
Pro Tip: Shake just long enough to combine and chill; over-shaking will over-dilute the drink.
Step 4: Build and top with cola
Pour the shaken mixture (pulp included or strained, your preference) into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Top slowly with your chilled cola of choice to preserve carbonation.
Pro Tip: Tilt the glass and pour cola down the side to reduce fizz loss and keep a pleasing head on the drink.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
Garnish with a lime wheel or a whole cherry on a pick.
Serve immediately and enjoy the fizzy lift and tart finish.
Pro Tip: You’ll know it’s ready when the drink smells bright of lime, the cherry notes are evident, and a thin foam sits on top from the cola.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use ripe cherries for sweetness and color: underripe cherries will taste tart and muddy the cocktail balance.
- Muddling technique matters: press firmly but don’t pulverize the pits. If you accidentally crush pits, the taste can be bitter.
- Choose your cola with intention: a craft cola or Mexican Coca-Cola (made with cane sugar) will bring a cleaner sweetness compared to high-fructose corn syrup colas.
- Keep everything cold: pre-chill tequila and cola, and use fresh ice to minimize dilution and maintain fizz.
- Adjust amaretto by taste: start at 1/2 oz and increase if you prefer a sweeter, nutty profile. Too much amaretto will mask the lime and tequila.
- Stir vs. shake for pulp preference: if you want maximum cherry body, pour the shaken pulp straight in. For a smoother sip, double-strain into the glass or shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.
- Have a small fine-mesh sieve and a spoon ready: pressing cherries through the sieve extracts maximum flavor without large bits.
- For parties, pre-mix the tequila, amaretto, and lime in a pitcher; mash cherries separately and add cola at service to preserve carbonation.
- Watch dilution when batching: if you pre-mix spirits with lime, reduce the citrus slightly as ice melt during service will mellow the drink further.
- If using frozen cherries, thaw fully and allow excess water to drain to avoid watering down the cocktail.
Storage & Freezing
Fridge storage: If you must store a pre-mixed batch, combine tequila, amaretto, lime juice, and strained cherry puree in a sealed pitcher.
Keep refrigerated and consume within 24 hours for best flavor; lime will slowly oxidize and the cherries will darken.
At service time, pour over ice and top with freshly chilled cola.
Freezer storage: Do not freeze carbonated cola.
You can freeze cherry puree in ice cube trays for later use; frozen cherry cubes work well directly in cocktails and keep drinks cold without watering them down as they melt.
Store frozen cherry cubes in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating/refreshing: Cocktails aren’t reheated.
If a batch tastes flat from sitting, refresh with fresh lime juice and a splash of amaretto, then top each glass with freshly opened cola to restore effervescence.
If the cherry puree has separated, stir vigorously or re-whisk before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
Cherry Coke Paloma-style: Swap cola for grapefruit soda and increase lime to 1.25 oz for a tangy, less-sweet riff.
Try it with sparkling grapefruit soda for a brighter edge.
Smoky twist: Use reposado or añejo tequila for smoky oak notes that pair with amaretto’s almond sweetness.
This makes the drink richer and more sippable.
Virgin version: Omit tequila and amaretto and replace with 1 oz cherry syrup and 1 oz extra lime; top with cola for a non-alcoholic treat.
For adults avoiding almond, use orange liqueur substitute or a splash of vanilla syrup.
Swap the sweetener: If amaretto isn’t available, 1/2 oz of orgeat or almond syrup plus 1/4 oz orange liqueur can mimic the nutty profile.
Try with a high-quality cola alternative for a lower-sugar option, then adjust lime to taste.
I also like serving this with a small chocolate dessert; it’s a natural pairing—try it with a quick chocolate caramel dump cake for parties at home: chocolate caramel dump cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cola works best in a Coca Cola Margarita?
The best cola is a matter of preference. Mexican Coca-Cola (cane sugar) offers a cleaner sweetness and fuller mouthfeel.
Craft colas or premium colas can add citrus, vanilla, or spice notes that complement amaretto. Regular diet colas will change mouthfeel and may clash with fruit flavors.
Can I make this cocktail without a shaker?
Yes. If you don’t have a shaker, mash cherries in a jar, add all liquids, cap tightly, and shake.
Alternatively, stir well in a mixing glass and pour over ice, though shaking helps emulsify the fruit and citrus for better integration.
How do I make this drink less sweet?
Reduce the amaretto to 1/4–1/2 oz and use a less-sugary cola.
Increase lime juice in 1/4 oz increments until brightness balances sweetness. Adding a pinch of coarse salt to the rim can also cut perceived sweetness.
Can I batch this recipe for a party?
Yes—combine tequila, amaretto, lime, and strained cherry puree in a pitcher and refrigerate.
Don’t add cola until serving to preserve carbonation; top each glass individually. For easier service, keep cola bottles chilled and open at the last minute.
Is fresh cherry necessary or can I use jam?
Fresh cherries are best for bright, fresh flavor and texture.
In a pinch, a high-quality cherry jam thinned with a little water can work, but jam often contains added sugars that alter balance. If using jam, reduce added sweeteners and taste as you go.
Conclusion
If you enjoyed this Coca Cola Margarita riff, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or pin it to Pinterest.
For a similar cherry-and-cola inspiration, see this Cherry Coke Margarita recipe that influenced my thinking.
If you’re looking for a fun appliance to make frozen versions, check the Nostalgia Coca-Cola frozen drink maker that handles margaritas and daiquiris.
For background on tequila-and-cola style drinks, this Tequila and Coke (Batanga) recipe is a great read.
Coca Cola Margarita
Ingredients
For the cocktail
- 6-8 pieces Fresh cherries Use ripe Bing or Rainier cherries for best flavor.
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice Freshly squeezed is recommended.
- 0.5-0.75 oz Amaretto Adjust to taste; Disaronno recommended.
- 1.5 oz Tequila Use blanco tequila for best results.
- Cola of choice, chilled To top; pour carefully to preserve carbonation.
- Ice For serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash and pit the cherries, then add them to a cocktail shaker.
- Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, mash until the cherries give up juice and the mixture is pulpy.
- If desired, strain the cherry mash through a fine sieve for a smoother texture.
Mixing
- Measure in the lime juice, amaretto, and tequila on top of the mashed cherries.
- Add a good handful of ice to the shaker to chill evenly.
Shaking
- Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to fully integrate the ingredients.
Serving
- Pour the shaken mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top slowly with your chilled cola of choice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or whole cherry on a pick and serve immediately.
