Cherry Limeade Recipe: A Zesty, Refreshing Drink

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#Cherry Limeade

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Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Equipment needed: Blender, measuring cups, mixing spoon, pitcher, ice cube trays

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For Non-Alcoholic Cherry Limeade:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries pitted
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice around 4–6 limes
• ¼ cup simple syrup adjust for sweetness
• 2 cups sparkling water or soda
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and cherries for garnish
• For Alcoholic Cherry Limeade:
• ½ cup vodka or rum optional
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries pitted
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice around 4–6 limes
• ¼ cup simple syrup
• 1 ½ cups soda water or tonic water
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and cherries for garnish

Instructions

 

• Step-by-Step Method
• Step 1: Prepare the Simple Syrup
• Simple syrup is easy to make! If you don’t have it on hand, just combine equal parts water and sugar (½ cup each) in a small saucepan. Heat it until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. You can also store extra syrup in the fridge for future cocktails.
• Step 2: Blend the Cherries
• In a blender, add your pitted cherries (either fresh or frozen) and a little splash of lime juice. Blend until smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the pulp, but I like a little pulp in my Cherry Limeade for extra flavor.
• Step 3: Mix in Lime Juice
• In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lime juice with the blended cherries. Stir in the simple syrup, adjusting the sweetness to taste. Keep in mind, the lime adds a tangy bite, so don't skimp on the syrup unless you prefer tart drinks!
• Step 4: Add Sparkling Water
• Pour in the sparkling water or soda of your choice for some fizz. Stir gently to combine the flavors, making sure the sweetness and tartness balance out. If you’re making the alcoholic version, add your vodka or rum at this step.
• Step 5: Serve Over Ice
• Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Cherry Limeade mixture over them. For garnish, add a slice of lime and a cherry to each glass for a pretty and refreshing presentation.
• Step 6: Let It Stand
• Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together. This step really enhances the drink’s flavor!
• Variations & Tips
• Alcohol-Free Substitutions:
• Sugar-Free: You can swap the simple syrup for honey or agave syrup for a natural sweetener. You could also use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a low-calorie option.
• Sparkling Water Substitutes: You can use plain water or club soda instead of sparkling water if you want to reduce the fizz.
• Fruit Options: While cherries and lime are a fantastic combination, you can mix things up! Try raspberries, strawberries, or even a mix of berries if cherries aren’t available. The lime adds enough zing to complement any fruit.
• Alcoholic Substitutions:
• Spirits Swap: If you don’t have vodka or rum, you can substitute gin or tequila for a different flavor profile. Gin adds a more herbal touch, while tequila gives it a tropical twist.
• Cherry Liqueur: Add a splash of cherry liqueur or grenadine for a deeper cherry flavor with a hint of sweetness.

If you’re in the mood for something fruity, zesty, and refreshingly simple, Cherry Limeade is your go-to drink. Let me show you how I make this refreshing cocktail based on my own personal experience. It’s a perfect balance of sweet cherries and tangy lime, and you can enjoy it with or without alcohol, making it super versatile for any occasion.

Let me jump into the details and get you making the best Cherry Limeade at home, whether it’s for a family gathering, a summer BBQ, or just a personal treat.

Notes on What to Expect

Cherry Limeade is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a refreshing burst of lime that’ll wake up your taste buds. If you opt for the alcoholic version, expect a bit more of a punch, but the flavors still remain bright and fruity. The texture of the drink will be slightly pulpy if you don’t strain the cherries, but that adds to the charm, in my opinion.

When you’re using this recipe for a summer party or just to enjoy by yourself, you’ll love how versatile and easy it is. From my overall experience, it’s a great crowd-pleaser, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit everyone’s taste.

Enjoy your Cherry Limeade. Let me show you how I make this refreshing drink, and you’ll see how quickly it becomes a favorite in your home too.

Meal Facts:

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Time to stand: 5 minutes
• Total time: 15 minutes
• Ease of cooking: Super easy, beginner-friendly
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: Approx. 160 calories per serving (non-alcoholic version)
• Cost of ingredients: Budget-friendly (around $8–10 for the non-alcoholic version)
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Drinks
• Equipment needed: Blender, measuring cups, mixing spoon, pitcher, ice cube trays
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making #cherrylimeade here

Ingredients

For Non-Alcoholic Cherry Limeade:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (around 4–6 limes)
• ¼ cup simple syrup (adjust for sweetness)
• 2 cups sparkling water or soda
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and cherries (for garnish)

For Alcoholic Cherry Limeade:

• ½ cup vodka or rum (optional)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (around 4–6 limes)
• ¼ cup simple syrup
• 1 ½ cups soda water or tonic water
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and cherries for garnish
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making #cherrylimeade here

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is easy to make! If you don’t have it on hand, just combine equal parts water and sugar (½ cup each) in a small saucepan. Heat it until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. You can also store extra syrup in the fridge for future cocktails.

Step 2: Blend the Cherries

In a blender, add your pitted cherries (either fresh or frozen) and a little splash of lime juice. Blend until smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the pulp, but I like a little pulp in my Cherry Limeade for extra flavor.

Step 3: Mix in Lime Juice

In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lime juice with the blended cherries. Stir in the simple syrup, adjusting the sweetness to taste. Keep in mind, the lime adds a tangy bite, so don’t skimp on the syrup unless you prefer tart drinks!

Step 4: Add Sparkling Water

Pour in the sparkling water or soda of your choice for some fizz. Stir gently to combine the flavors, making sure the sweetness and tartness balance out. If you’re making the alcoholic version, add your vodka or rum at this step.

Step 5: Serve Over Ice

Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Cherry Limeade mixture over them. For garnish, add a slice of lime and a cherry to each glass for a pretty and refreshing presentation.

Step 6: Let It Stand

Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together. This step really enhances the drink’s flavor!

Variations & Tips

Alcohol-Free Substitutions:

• Sugar-Free: You can swap the simple syrup for honey or agave syrup for a natural sweetener. You could also use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a low-calorie option.
• Sparkling Water Substitutes: You can use plain water or club soda instead of sparkling water if you want to reduce the fizz.
• Fruit Options: While cherries and lime are a fantastic combination, you can mix things up! Try raspberries, strawberries, or even a mix of berries if cherries aren’t available. The lime adds enough zing to complement any fruit.

Alcoholic Substitutions:

• Spirits Swap: If you don’t have vodka or rum, you can substitute gin or tequila for a different flavor profile. Gin adds a more herbal touch, while tequila gives it a tropical twist.
• Cherry Liqueur: Add a splash of cherry liqueur or grenadine for a deeper cherry flavor with a hint of sweetness.
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making #cherrylimeade here

Nutritional Information (Non-Alcoholic Version)

• Calories: 160 per serving
• Carbs: 40g
• Sugar: 35g (depending on sweetener)
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g

If you’re watching your sugar intake, opt for a sugar substitute to lower the calorie count!

Troubleshooting Tips

• Too Sweet or Too Tart? If your Cherry Limeade is too sweet, add a little more lime juice to balance it out. If it’s too tart, simply add a little extra syrup.
• Flat Drink? If you’re losing the fizz too quickly, wait to add the sparkling water right before serving. This will keep your Cherry Limeade nice and bubbly.
• Cherries Too Bland? Frozen cherries sometimes lose their sweetness, so you may need to add a little more syrup or even a splash of grenadine to bring back the flavor.