This delightful Cherry Mocktail is oh-so-refreshing and flavorful! The combination of fresh lemon juice, tart cherry juice and bubbly soda makes for a wonderful drink that anyone can enjoy.

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About this Cherry Mocktail Recipe
Tart cherry juice is the star ingredient in this flavorful and refreshing mocktail. Its bold, tangy flavor pairs beautifully with citrus and fizzy lemon-lime soda, creating a drink that feels as special as a cocktail — but without the booze.
Tart cherry juice brings a vibrant twist to cocktails and alcohol-free beverages alike. While I love a good Sleepy Girl mocktail before bed, I also love using cherry juice to make other drinks, like this citrusy spritzer that doesn’t contain alcohol.
This mocktail is perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying combination of tartness and effervescence that’s hard to resist. You’re going to love it during the summertime! It’s also great for Dry January when you’re craving a bite of tart juices elevated into a non-alcoholic cocktail.
More mocktail recipes: Cranberry Lime Mocktail • Virgin Yule Mule • Virgin White Russian

Why you’ll love this recipe
This lovable mocktail is fruity and bubbly and so easy to make:
- You only need a few simple ingredients to make this pretty summer mocktail. No zero-proof spirits needed!
- Serve this cherry mocktail at parties, brunch or even for movie night. It’s a versatile drink that everyone will enjoy.
- This recipe is really easy! Even if you don’t have fancy bar tools, you can make a tart cherry mocktail.

Tools & equipment
All you need to make this drink is a rocks glass, bar spoon, jigger and cocktail picks. That’s it — it truly is that simple of a recipe! You can serve it in whatever glass you like.
essential bar tools




Ingredients
You’ll need a few basic ingredients, plus a couple optional add-ins, then you’re ready to mix up this refreshing cherry mocktail:
- tart cherry juice
- lemon juice
- lemon-lime soda
- non-alcoholic aromatic bitters
- cocktail cherries, for garnish (I used Luxardo cherries)
- mint sprig, for garnish
favorite cocktail cherries




Substitutions & variations
Switch things up with these substitutes, if needed:
Citrus swaps: You can use fresh lime juice in place of the lemon juice if you prefer! Orange juice could be delicious too.
Sweeten it up: If you find that your mocktail is a bit too tart, you can add some sweetener if you want. Maple syrup, agave nectar and honey are all great options. You can use simple syrup too!
Bubbly alternatives: Swap the lemon-lime soda with sparkling water, seltzer or anything else that gives this mocktail some bubbles! If you like the fizzy touch, but not the sugar, grab a sugar-free or prebiotic soda that has reduced sugar.
Best bitters: You can use any flavor of bitters with this mocktail — I used aromatic bitters but orange bitters would also be tasty. However, keep in mind that most bottles of bitters contain trace amounts of alcohol. If you wish to avoid booze completely, you can use these non-alcoholic aromatic bitters instead for a similar flavor.
try non-alcoholic bitters
We love adding bitters to drinks to add a little extra depth and flavor complexity. I’ve teamed up with my friends at All the Bitter — who make fantastic non-alcoholic bitters — to bring you an exclusive discount on your purchase. Use code fwbitters for 10% off!
Instructions
Make this yummy mocktail in just a few quick and easy steps:


Add ice to a rocks glass (or whatever glass you want!). Then add the tart cherry juice and lemon juice.


Top with lemon-lime soda or club soda, and then stir everything together gently. Add a dash of bitters, if desired, for an extra layer of flavor.


Finish it off with a cocktail pick with cocktail cherries and a sprig of fresh mint.
Tips & tricks
Check out these tips and tricks to ensure the best results for this amazing cherry mocktail:
- Want to strengthen the mint flavor? Grab a muddler and muddle the mint with the lime juice in the bottom of the glass before making each mocktail.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor! The bottled stuff just isn’t as good and can make this drink too tart.
- You can make ahead, but don’t add the ice or soda to this mocktail until just before serving.

Food pairings
Savory and salty foods go well with sweet cherries. I love to make this for a Friday night with a big charcuterie board. If you want some snacks for a party, this drink pairs well with whipped feta dip and pita chips or even simply some buttery popcorn.
For a fun, summertime brunch, serve this bright beverage with a batch of cherry danishes. It would also be great for a barbecue with pulled pork and some cherry BBQ sauce.
And for dessert, cherries with ice cream are always a winner. This cherry dump cake or a slice of cherry pie would be fantastic with a cherry drink to go with it.

FAQ
Tart cherry juice is just what it says in the name, tart! However, there is a slightly sweet flavor as well. It’s actually a bit reminiscent of red wine!
Since tart cherries contain melatonin, it is possible that this mocktail could make you a bit sleepy. However, this recipe contains such a small amount that it shouldn’t make you too drowsy.
More mocktail recipes
- Virgin Sangria
- Citrus Ginger Beer Mocktail
- Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail
- Virgin Espresso Martini
- The Best Mocktail Recipes
— Did you make this recipe? —
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Cherry Mocktail
ingredients
- 1½ ounce tart cherry juice
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 3-4 ounces lemon-lime soda
- 2-3 dashes non-alcoholic aromatic bitters
- 2 cocktail cherries for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh mint for garnish
instructions
- In a rocks glass filled with ice, add cherry juice and lemon juice.
- Top with lemon-lime soda and stir together gently. Add a dash or two of bitters, if desired.
- Garnish with cocktail cherries and a sprig of fresh mint.
notes
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