From the moment I heard Winston Bishop (the die-hard New Girl fans know) sit down at the bar of The Griffin and request a double amaretto with extra cherries, I knew I had found my next go-to cocktail. The sweet and almond-y libation has remained a personal staple for years now, and I once believed I would never stray from the simple combination of Dissaronno complemented by an indulgent serving of fresh cherries.
That was until I stumbled upon this Sweet Cherry & Almond Margarita, which brings a tequila-based twist to my crowned favorite drink. Upon receiving some early cherries from Stemilt, I just had to dive into this creative recipe.
Sweet dark cherries, limes, and amaretto liqueur combine to make a creation akin to dessert in a glass. With the summer season already lending itself to prime cherry merchandising and increased register rings in the category, what better way to inspire impulse purchases than by displaying a cheerful cherry cocktail recipe right there in the produce department? Not only will the eye-catching image of this Sweet Cherry & Almond Margarita increase traffic in the cherry section, but it will also drive sales for limes and can easily serve as a cross-merchandising device alongside tequila, agave, almonds, and other complementary ingredients. With the weather warming up and shoppers’ summer sweet tooths kicking in, I’d argue there’s no better time to harness the intrigue of mixology to boost your produce department!
It’s safe to say that the next time I’m craving that double amaretto with extra cherries, I’ll certainly be adding some limes and tequila to my cart as well.
3 fresh cherries, pitted and stems removed (plus additional for garnish)
½ oz agave
1 lime, freshly squeezed (optional: save one wedge for garnish)
1½ oz mezcal or blanco tequila
1 oz amaretto liqueur
Sugar or salt (optional, for rim)
Prep Time: 5 mins
Servings: 1
1. Add three cherries, agave, and freshly squeezed lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle the cherries into a pulp, making sure each one is fully broken apart.
3. Add the mezcal or tequila and amaretto (I prefer Disaronno, but the choice is yours!)
4. Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake the mixture for 30 seconds.
5. To add that classic margarita flair, coat the rim of a glass with sugar or salt. Strain the cocktail into the glass over ice.
6. Garnish with the remaining cherries and a slice of lime, if desired. Enjoy!
