Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
This cherry limeade recipe is the perfect summer thirst-quencher. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect balance of tart and sweet. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars Recipe for Spring Desserts and Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe Easy and Creamy.
Why This Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks Is Pure Comfort
- Tangy and sweet cherry flavor
- Easy to make with just a few ingredients
- Perfect for summer cookouts and BBQs
- Better than store-bought mix
What You'll Need for Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Maraschino cherries
- Limes
- Sugar
- Sparkling water
- Cherry juice
- Lime juice
- Optional: Lime wheels
- Optional: Maraschino cherries
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Maraschino cherries: Make sure to use the juice from the jar in the recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker — Always have fresh sparkling water on hand. → See on Amazon
- Citrus Juicer — Effortlessly juice limes for this recipe. → See on Amazon
How to Make Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
- Step 1: Juice 4 limes to get 1/2 cup of lime juice.
- Step 2: In a pitcher, combine 1 cup of maraschino cherry juice, 1/2 cup of lime juice, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups of sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Serve over ice, garnished with lime wheels and maraschino cherries.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dilute the cherry limeade. Start with 4 cups of sparkling water and adjust to taste.
- Tip: For a stronger cherry flavor, use cherry juice concentrate instead of maraschino cherry juice.
- Tip: Make a big batch and freeze some in ice cube trays for a refreshing summer treat.
Storing & Reheating Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make the cherry limeade mixture up to 1 day ahead. Add sparkling water just before serving.
Freezing Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
Freeze cherry limeade in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1/4 cup.
- Best substitution: Use lemon juice instead of lime juice for a slightly different flavor.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your cherry limeade is too sweet, add more lime juice or sparkling water to balance the flavors.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Maraschino Cherries — Use these for both the juice and garnish in this recipe. → Check price on Amazon
Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Maraschino cherries
- Limes
- Sugar
- Sparkling water
Seasonings
- Cherry juice
- Lime juice
Optional Toppings
- Lime wheels
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Step 1: Juice 4 limes to get 1/2 cup of lime juice.
- Step 2: In a pitcher, combine 1 cup of maraschino cherry juice, 1/2 cup of lime juice, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups of sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Serve over ice, garnished with lime wheels and maraschino cherries.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1/4 cup.
- Best substitution: Use lemon juice instead of lime juice for a slightly different flavor.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your cherry limeade is too sweet, add more lime juice or sparkling water to balance the flavors.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cherry limeade in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
- Make ahead: Make the cherry limeade mixture up to 1 day ahead. Add sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks FAQs
Yes, make the cherry limeade mixture up to 1 day ahead. Add sparkling water just before serving.
You may have used too much sugar or not enough lime juice. Adjust the sugar and lime juice to taste.
Yes, thaw and drain the cherries before using. The juice may be slightly watered down, so adjust the sugar and lime juice to taste.
Yes, easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
Cherry limeade is made with lime juice and sparkling water, while Shirley Temple is made with lemon-lime soda and grenadine.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
