Cherry Limeade

Summer refreshment just got a nostalgic upgrade with this Sonic-inspired cherry limeade! 

It’s deliciously tangy and sweet, and it’ll transport you back to those carefree drive-in days. 

This fizzy concoction combines zesty lime, jarred cherries, and crisp lemon-lime soda.

On a hot day, it’s your ticket to instant cool. And it’s so easy to whip up, you’ll be sipping on summer in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Limeade

Super Refreshing: It’s not too sweet, perfectly fruity, and has just the right amount of citrus. Oh, and since it’s best served over ice, it’ll definitely cool you down on a hot day.

Easy Customization: Adjust the sweetness with more or less sugar, or swap the lime for lemon if you want it really sour.

Perfect for Entertaining: This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, ideal for parties and get-togethers. Plus, you can easily double or triple it for crowds. 

Ingredients

• Lemon-Lime Soda: The bubbly base that gives this drink its refreshing fizz. 7UP or Sprite work perfectly to provide a crisp, citrusy flavor.

• Cherries: Bright red, sweet, and juicy, cherries add color and fruity goodness to each sip. Use jarred maraschino, sour, or cocktail cherries plus the syrup.

• Lime: Fresh lime juice boosts that cirtus flavor, making it wonderfully bright.

• Sugar: You might not need it if you use maraschino cherries. But with sour fruit, you will.

• Ice: Tiny, crunchy nuggets of ice will keep the drink icy cold – which is essential for the best flavor!

How to Make Cherry Limeade

From lounging by the pool or to an afternoon pick-me-up on a scorching day, cherry limeade is the answer.

And luckily, it’s ready in minutes.

1. DISSOLVE the sugar in the fresh lime juice. Stir in a pitcher until smooth.

2. ADD the cherries and syrup and mix well. At this point, you can pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to sip.

3. POUR in the soda just before serving.

4. SERVE with lime slices, lots of ice, and a few cherries from the pitcher. Enjoy!

Tips For the Best Cherry Limeade

The key to this simple summer drink is to start with a good lemon-lime soda. I prefer Sprite, but 7UP works too.

Yes, you can use diet, but keep in mind the flavor won’t be quite the same.

Here’s a few other tips to make sure your drink is top notch!

• Use fresh limes. Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the best tart flavor to balance the sweetness.

• Adjust the sweetness. If you use maraschino cherries, I suggest skipping the sugar. For cocktail or sour cherries, I recommend starting with a little and adding more to taste. Simple syrup works best for this.

• Add the soda last. If you mix it too soon, it’ll go flat.

• Start cold. If all the ingredients are cold, you won’t need to chill the mix or add too much ice.

• Sugar rim. For a festive look, rim the glasses with lime juice and dip them in sugar before adding the ice and other ingredients.

• Enjoy immediately. The soda will go flat, so it’s best enjoyed right away. You can mix the lime and cherries in the morning and then chill them, but don’t add the soda until serving.

• For a single serving. Place a couple of cherries in a glass and top with ice. Pour in 2-3 tablespoons of cherry syrup and 1 can of lemon-lime soda. Squeeze a lime wedge on top, mix gently, and enjoy!

Substitutes and Variations

This homemade cherry limeade is perfect for summer gatherings or whenever you’re craving a refreshing treat.

But if you want to tweak the recipe, you totally can! Here’s a few ideas:

• Syrup substitute. Use grenadine as a substitute for cherry syrup if it’s more convenient.

• Try ginger ale. For a mildly spiced twist, use ginger ale instead of lemon-lime soda.

• Spike it. Add 1-2 oz of vodka, light rum, or tequila before stirring in the soda. Now, it’s a cocktail!

• Try a different soda. Try it with grapefruit soda, sparkling water, or flavored selzer for a less sweet, healthier alternative.

More Refreshing Drinks Perfect for Summer

Creamy Lemonade
Coffee Milkshake
Blueberry Lemonade
Watermelon Slushie