This homemade cherry limeade recipe is the perfect summertime drink. Made with fresh lime juice and cherry puree, it has the right balance of tart and sweet flavors. Mix in a little vodka, rum or tequila for a delicious adults-only version.
Every year, our family goes cherry picking at an orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This cherry limeade recipe is just one of the delicious things we’ve made with the fresh fruit.
Every year, we pick more cherries than we can eat.
So, I’m always scrambling for creative ways to use the delicious, sweet fruit before it goes bad.
A batch of fresh cherry limeade really hits the spot on these hot summer days. It’s the perfect, refreshing drink to serve at a July 4th cookout alongside those homemade ribs and southern style baked beans.
I’ve always been a cherry limeade fan, and I’ve been known to make a special trip to the drive-through for one. But the fast food restaurant version can’t compare to this from-scratch recipe, made from fresh-squeezed lime juice and homemade cherry puree.
I’m sweetening up summer with Sweet’N Low® and sharing this homemade cherry limeade recipe as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.
You can make this cherry limeade recipe with sugar or your favorite no-calorie sweetener.
And though the words “from scratch” may sounds like code for complicated, this recipe isn’t. The most time and labor-intensive part is pitting the cherries. But you’re going to have to do that for any recipe using fresh cherries. Just get yourself a good cherry pitter and get to it.
You won’t regret the work or the juice-stained fingers once you pour yourself a glass.
How to Make Homemade Cherry Limeade
Once you have pitted the cherries, place them in a pan with sugar or no-calorie sweetener and water.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the cherries are tender and juicy. Allow to cool before transferring to a blender to make the puree.
To make the puree, combine cooled, sweetened cherries, lime juice and lime zest in a blender. Pulse until pureed.
To make each glass of limeade, combine combine ½ cup cherry puree with ¾ cup water or sparkling water. Pour over ice and garnish with cherries and lime slices.
This drink is just begging to be made into a summertime cocktail.
Mix in a shot of vodka, tequila or rum…cheers!
Be sure to visit Sweet’N Low® for more great summertime drinks recipes.
Fresh Cherry Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds cherries pitted
- 1 cup sugar or equivalent no-calorie sweetener
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice plus 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 1½ cups water
- lime slices
- cherries
- 6 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- Combine cherries, sugar or sweetener, and 1½ cups of water in a pot.
- Cover and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, until cherries are tender and juicy. Remove from heat and let cool completely
- Puree cherry mixture, lime juice and lime zest in a blender.
- To make each glass of limeade, combine combine ½ cup cherry puree with ¾ cup water or sparkling water. Pour over ice and garnish with cherries and lime slices.
- Store extra cherry-lime puree in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Pin This! Homemade Cherry Limeade Recipe
You may enjoy these other cherry recipes:
Sparkling Vanilla Cherry Cocktail
Sonja
This looks so refreshing and the timing is perfect…our local cherries are now in season! Thank you for linking up on the #HomeMattersParty linky.
Camila
Oh wow! That mix sounds so delicious and I’m a fan #1 of Cherry anything! Yummm Pinning!
XOXO