Cherry Limeade
A delightfully sweet, tart, and effervescent non-alcoholic drink, Cherry Limeade combines the bright tang of fresh lime with the luscious sweetness of cherries, finished with a fizzy sparkling base for a truly refreshing and vibrant beverage.
What is this drink?
Cherry Limeade is an all-American soda fountain classic born in the mid-20th century drive-in era, where muddled sweet cherries met sharp lime juice in an effervescent union that became as iconic as the era itself. The drink was popularized by chains like Sonic Drive-In, where it became a beloved summer staple. This homemade version using real cherries and fresh lime juice delivers something the commercial versions never can — genuine depth of flavor.
Why you'll love it
The sweet, slightly jammy flavor of muddled cherries against the sharp, bright acidity of fresh lime creates an irresistible sweet-tart dynamic that is as refreshing as it is nostalgic. The sparkling water transforms it from a syrup into something light and celebratory.
When to serve
Cherry Limeade is quintessential summer fare — perfect for backyard barbecues, drive-in movie nights, diner-themed parties, or any occasion that calls for a fun, vibrantly colored refreshment that everyone will enjoy.
Pro tip
Muddle fresh or thawed frozen cherries with the lime juice rather than with water — the citric acid in lime juice helps extract more color and flavor from the cherries, giving you a deeper ruby hue and more concentrated cherry taste.
Fresh or Frozen Pitted Cherries
The backbone of the drink — muddled cherries release their sweet, slightly tart juice and deep ruby pigment, which is what makes this drink so visually stunning and flavor-forward.
Fresh Lime Juice
The sharp citrus counterpoint that prevents cherry sweetness from becoming cloying, adding a bright, tangy dimension that makes the drink genuinely refreshing.
Sparkling Water / Club Soda
The effervescent finish that lifts the muddled cherry-lime base into a light, bubbly drink with a festive character perfect for sipping on warm days.
Swap Options
Replace fresh cherries with high-quality cherry syrup for a quicker preparation without muddling. Swap simple syrup for grenadine for an even deeper red color and a slightly pomegranate-influenced sweetness. Use blood orange juice instead of lime for a less sharp, more tropical citrus note. Add a few fresh basil leaves during muddling for an herbaceous complexity.
Muddle cherries and lime juice
In a sturdy glass, combine 0.25 cup (about 40g) fresh or frozen pitted cherries with 1.5 ounces (45 ml) fresh lime juice. Muddle gently to crush the cherries and release their juice. If using frozen cherries, allow them to thaw slightly before muddling.
Tips:
- •For a stronger cherry flavor, you can slightly warm frozen cherries before muddling. Muddle enough to extract juice, but avoid pulverizing completely if you like small fruit pieces.
Add sweetener and ice
Add 0.75 ounce (22 ml) simple syrup (or dissolved sugar) to the muddled mixture. Stir well to combine. Fill the glass with 1 serving of ice.
Tips:
- •Adjust sweetness to your preference, as the tartness of limes and sweetness of cherries can vary.
Top with sparkling water
Pour 0.5 cup (120 ml) chilled sparkling water or club soda over the ice and cherry-lime mixture. Stir gently once or twice to combine the ingredients without losing too much fizz.
Tips:
- •Add the sparkling water just before serving for maximum effervescence.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with 1 lime wheel and 2-3 fresh cherries, if desired. Serve immediately with a straw.
Tips:
- •The vibrant red color from the cherries makes this drink visually appealing.
- **Sweetness control:** If your cherries are very sweet, you might need less simple syrup. Taste and adjust.
- **Frozen Version:** Blend all ingredients (except sparkling water) with 1 cup of ice for a frosty, slushy-like treat.
- **Herbal Twist:** Add a few fresh basil leaves when muddling for a surprisingly delightful herbaceous note.
- **Cherry Syrup:** For convenience, you can use a high-quality cherry syrup instead of fresh cherries and simple syrup, adjusting quantities to taste.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Cherry Grenadine Limeade
Swap the simple syrup for good-quality grenadine for a deeper, more complex sweetness with a subtle pomegranate note that adds another layer of berry character. The grenadine also intensifies the drink's stunning deep-red colour, making it as visually dramatic as it is delicious over ice.
Black Cherry Basil Limeade
Add three or four fresh basil leaves to the muddling step alongside the cherries for a fragrant, herby complexity that elevates this drink from refreshing to genuinely memorable. The basil's subtle aniseed character pairs beautifully with the cherry's deep fruitiness and the lime's bright acidity.
Frozen Cherry Limeade
Blend all the prepared cherry limeade ingredients together with a full cup of crushed ice until smooth for a vibrant frozen slushie version. Pour into a chilled, salt-rimmed glass for a slushy, intensely flavoured treat that's particularly popular with younger guests and at summer outdoor events.
Tools that make this drink come together
Muddler
A muddler is essential for extracting the juice and colour from fresh cherries before mixing. Press and twist firmly — cherries require more force than mint and release their beautiful, deeply pigmented juice only with proper pressure. Remove the stones before muddling to avoid damaging the muddler and to make straining easier.
Citrus Press
Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable in a Cherry Limeade — it delivers a bright, sharp acidity that bottled lime juice cannot replicate. A manual citrus press extracts maximum juice efficiently. Two medium limes typically yield enough juice for a generous single serving.
Cocktail Shaker
A shaker with ice chills and integrates the muddled cherry, lime juice, and syrup before the sparkling water is added. Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds, then strain into the serving glass. The shaking step produces a beautifully chilled, well-blended base before the carbonation is gently added.
Can't Find These?
A fork pressed into pitted cherries in a large cup muddlers them adequately. A jam jar with a tight lid shaken vigorously substitutes for a cocktail shaker. Fresh cherry juice purchased from a health food shop or squeezed with your hands through muslin eliminates the need for muddling entirely.
The right glass makes a real difference
Tall Tumbler or Highball Glass
A tall, clear tumbler or highball glass is ideal for a Cherry Limeade, showcasing the drink's dramatic deep-red colour against the pale bubbles of sparkling water and the brightness of ice. The tall format keeps the drink cold throughout and provides room for a generous garnish of fresh cherry and lime wheel perched on the rim.
Alternatives
A wide-mouthed mason jar is charming for casual outdoor settings. A large stemless wine glass adds elegance. A short rocks glass suits a more concentrated, smaller serving where the cherry flavour is the primary focus.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Pulled Pork Sliders
Sweet, slow-cooked pulled pork in soft brioche buns is a superb pairing for Cherry Limeade. The drink's bright lime acidity cuts through the richness of the pork beautifully, and the cherry's sweetness echoes any fruit-based barbecue sauce, creating a genuinely cohesive American-diner-inspired combination.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Sticky, glazed grilled chicken wings — particularly those with a sweet chilli or honey glaze — are a natural partner for this fruity, acidic drink. The Cherry Limeade's sharpness provides essential palate-cleansing relief between portions of rich, well-seasoned wings.
Cheese Burger with Relish
A well-assembled cheeseburger with tangy relish and crisp lettuce alongside a Cherry Limeade is a classic American comfort food pairing. The drink's berry sweetness and citrus brightness complement the burger's savoury richness in a way that feels instinctively right.
Cherry Chocolate Brownies
Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies studded with dried cherries create a deliberate flavour echo with the Cherry Limeade's fruit character. The drink's acidity provides welcome contrast to the dense, sweet brownie, and the shared cherry note makes this an intentional, polished pairing.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Make Cherry Simple Syrup
Simmer pitted fresh cherries with equal parts sugar and water for 15 minutes, then strain and refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to two weeks. This deeply flavoured syrup captures the cherry's essence without any muddling required at serving time. Add a tablespoon of lime juice to preserve the bright colour and add brightness.
Pre-Squeeze Lime Juice
Squeeze enough lime juice for the whole gathering up to 24 hours ahead and store sealed in the fridge. Fresh lime juice loses some brightness after 24 hours but remains excellent for mixed drinks. Having it pre-squeezed eliminates last-minute preparation and lets you assemble drinks quickly when guests arrive.
Batch the Base
Combine muddled cherry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large jug, strain out solids, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When serving, pour measured portions over ice and top with chilled sparkling water to order — this keeps the fizz lively while the base maintains its full, vibrant flavour.
Freeze Cherry Ice Cubes
Blend and strain fresh cherry juice, pour into ice cube trays, and freeze solid. Use these cubes in place of regular ice in the finished drink — they chill without diluting and slowly release additional cherry flavour as they melt, intensifying the drink beautifully from first sip to last.
Common questions answered by our bartenders
Got Leftovers?
Turn what you already have in your fridge into delicious meals. Our AI-powered generator creates personalized recipes from your ingredients.
Browse more like this:
You Might Also Like
Discover more delicious drinks similar to what you're viewing
