Cherry Limeade

Cherry Limeade may be the perfect warm weather sipper! Sweet cherry and tart lime come together in a ultra-refreshing and colorful drink you’ll want to enjoy all summer long.

About this Cherry Limeade recipe

One of the things I love about drinks is that a certain flavor can immediately take you back in time. The sweet Shirley Temple transports me to my favorite Chinese restaurant from childhood while guava juice has me at my grandparent’s house enjoying breakfast at their kitchen table.

A single sip of a Cherry Limeade and I’m sitting at the local drive-in diner I frequented in college, surrounded by friends and dreaming about summer break. There’s something about that sweet-and-sour combination that hits all the right notes!

When you get one at a drive-through, or a drive-in, they’re often brightly colored thanks to the artificial colors and flavors in the syrup. However, this version combines homemade ingredients (with some store-bought shortcuts if you’re in a pinch) for a fresh, flavorful drink that’s perfectly refreshing.

This Cherry Limeade skips the lemon-lime soda (probably Sprite) that’s common in the restaurant versions. Trust me, you won’t even miss it — or the nugget ice!

More cherry recipes: Cherry Mocktail • Cheerwine Old-Fashioned Cocktail • Shirley Temple • Sleepy Girl Mocktail

What is limeade?

You’ve had lemonade, a quintessential summer drink loaded with lemon flavor. Limeade is the lime version, made of fresh-squeezed lime juice. My homemade limeade includes some sweetener and a touch of fresh mint for a refreshing citrus sipper.

It’s a great way to beat the summer heat, plus it’s good for you too! Limes contain vitamins and nutrients that helps make the water in the drink extra hydrating. It’s also delicious, and perfect for recipes like this!

Tools & glassware

If you’ve ever made homemade lemonade or limeade before, you know how much of a difference a good citrus juicer ^* can make! Outside of that, this recipe is pretty simple.

You’ll want a saucepan and measuring cups for the cherry syrup, and a fine mesh strainer ^* to avoid pulp in your finished drink. Add a bar spoon ^* for stirring and you’re ready to go!

Since this is a big-batch recipe, I like to mix it in a large pitcher for easy serving. These recipes are great for entertaining in the summer — I love the ease of mixing it ahead of time and allowing guests to help themselves so I can enjoy the party instead of getting stuck mixing drinks all night.

favorite pitchers

round glass pitcher

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tall glass pitcher

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glass carafes

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Ingredients

With just a few ingredients, along with some optional add-ons, you’ll be well on your way to sipping a sweet-tart Cherry Limeade!

• Fresh lime juice: It’s gotta be fresh, you guys! It really makes a big difference. (Trust me, I’ve made the mistake of making limeade with lime juice concentrate.)
• Cold water
• Cherry syrup: It’s made with fresh or frozen cherries, water and sugar, or you can use what’s leftover from a jar of cocktail cherries.
• Vanilla extract ^*: Optional, but recommended! You may be wondering about the vanilla. Since it’s such a small amount, it doesn’t overpower the drink but rather adds to the depth of the flavor and rounds out this ruby-red drink.

Garnishes

Let’s get one thing straight — cocktail cherries and maraschino cherries are not the same thing.

While those bright red artificially-colored and sweetened cherries have their place (namely, a Dirty Shirley), cocktail cherries are sophisticated, flavorful and darker in color. The latter are my go-to for drinks, but I use them atop desserts like cakes and ice cream too.

You’ll want to use cocktail cherries, either from the store or homemade cocktail cherries, as a garnish for this recipe. Their taste will be a perfect compliment to the sweet cherry syrup and tart limeade! Add a lime wheel and your drink will be dressed to impress.

favorite cocktail cherries

luxardo cherries

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amarena cherries

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bourbon cherries

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Substitutions & variations

No time to make your own limeade? No problem! Grab a store-bought version and check out the adjusted ratio below. You can also use the syrup from a jar of Luxardo cherries ^*.

Try other flavors: Once you’ve tried Cherry Limeade, explore other flavors by switching up your simple syrup. These flavors would be tasty as a limeade, too:

• Coconut
• Blueberry
• Lavender
• Watermelon
• Basil

Find this recipe too sweet? Too tart? Adjust the amount of cherry syrup to create the perfect drink for your tastes.

Make it a cocktail. While this is a non-alcoholic drink, it would make a great cocktail! Simply add your favorite booze — vodka, gin or tequila would all be great!

Cherry syrup

First, you’ll want to make your cherry syrup. First, wash and dry cherries (this won’t work with cherry juice), then pit them (you can use a straw if you don’t have a cherry pitter ^*). In a medium saucepan, bring water and fruit to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat.

Use a fine mesh sieve ^* to remove the solids and strain the hot liquid into a bowl or jar. While still warm, stir in your sugar until it dissolves. Let cool to room temperature while you work on the limeade.

Instructions

Let’s get squeezing on a homemade Cherry Limeade! There are two main ways.

In a pitcher: To make a big batch, here’s what you’ll do!

1. Cut your limes in half and then use a citrus juicer ^* to juice each one. Strain the lime juice through a fine mesh strainer ^* to remove all of the pulp.
2. Combine your lime juice, cold water and vanilla extract ^*. Then, add your cooled cherry syrup.
3. Place in the fridge for at least one hour to let the flavor really come together.

Or, you can make it by the glass with homemade or store-bought limeade.

By the glass: If you are using store-bought limeade with cherry syrup, you can combine the limeade and syrup directly in a glass.

Stir well, until your drink turns deep red, then garnish with a lime slice and a cocktail cherry ^*.

Food pairings

This Cherry Limeade was meant for summer sun and fun, so pair it with snacks that are too!

Try pizza pinwheels or baked jalapeño poppers to spice up your summer gathering. Add a dessert like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and you’re ready to party!

FAQ

More refreshing recipes

• Summer Shandy
• White Wine Spritzer
• Honey Deuce