Cherry Limeade
This Cherry Limeade is the ultimate summer refresher — tart, sweet, fizzy, and bursting with cherry flavor. Perfect for poolside sipping, chill afternoons, or pretending you’re on vacation even if you’re just in your fuzzy socks.
Equipment
- Pitcher
- Lime juicer or reamer
- Knife & cutting board
- Cherry pitter or chopstick!
- Saucepan for cherry-syrup step
- Wooden spoon or muddler
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Pretty glasses we’re here for the vibes
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted (frozen works too if fresh isn't happening)
- 6-8 fresh limes juiced (about ¾ cup of juice — go ahead, get those arms working!)
- ¼ cup simple syrup or more if you like it sweeter, babe
- 4 cups sparkling water or club soda for that fizzy magic
- 2 cups ice the more the merrier
- Extra cherries and lime slices for garnish because we're fancy like that
- Fresh mint leaves optional but SO worth it
Instructions
Get Those Cherries Ready
- First things first — pit those cherries and give them a rough chop.
- Don't stress about making them perfect — chunky is cute, and you want those little bursts of cherry flavor!
- (Pro tip: do this over a bowl because cherry juice stains and we're not trying to redecorate the kitchen today.)
Make It Sweet and Tangy
- In a small saucepan, gently muddle about half your chopped cherries with the simple syrup.
- Let it sit for like 10 minutes so those flavors can get cozy together.
- Meanwhile, juice those limes — and girl, roll them on the counter first to get every drop of that liquid gold!
Mix It Up Like a Queen
- In your pitcher, combine the cherry-syrup mixture, fresh lime juice, and the rest of your chopped cherries.
- Give it a good stir and taste — need more sweet? Add syrup. Want more tang? Squeeze another lime. You're the boss here, babe!
Bring on the Bubbles
- Add your ice, then slowly pour in that sparkling water.
- Stir gently (we want bubbles, not flat sadness) and taste again.
- Adjust as needed because this is YOUR masterpiece!
Serve It Up with Style
- Pour into glasses over ice, drop in some extra cherries and lime slices for the 'gram.
- Throw in a sprig of mint if you're feeling extra fancy — because why not?
Notes
- No cherry pitter? Use a metal straw, chopstick, or piping tip to push out the pits — works like magic.
- Make it sweeter: Add more syrup or even a splash of grenadine if you’re feeling nostalgic diner vibes.
- Can’t find fresh cherries? Use frozen and let them thaw — they get all juicy and jammy.
- Want it fizzy longer? Only add the sparkling water right before serving.
- Make it a cocktail: Add 1–2 oz vodka, white rum, or even tequila for a grown-up cherry limeade.
- Party size? Double or triple the ingredients, prep everything except the soda water ahead, then pour and stir last-minute for max fizz.