Sparkling Cherry Limeade Recipe
When you think of lemonade, a refreshing beverage to quench your thirst on a hot summer day comes to mind. But have you ever tried limeade? It’s a delicious twist on the classic lemonade, with a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add some cherry syrup to create a delicious Cherry Limeade that will blow you away!
I have had a lot of requests for mocktails and batched drinks. So here is a mocktail that works great in a batch! You could also put this out at a party and let guests add their desired spirit to it.
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What is limeade?
Limeade is a refreshing, tart drink made from freshly-squeezed limes, sugar, and water. Here we’ll show you how to make Cherry Limeade with an added splash of cherry juice for even more flavor. Enjoy!
What kind of cherries should I use?
First things first, let’s talk about cherries. What kind of cherries should you use for this recipe? Sweet or sour? Fresh or frozen? The answer is really up to you! Use sweet cherries if you prefer a sweeter flavor, or sour cherries for a more tart flavor. You can also use fresh or frozen cherries, depending on what’s available to you. The important thing is to pit the cherries before using them in the recipe.
How to make the cherry syrup
Now, let’s move on to making the cherry syrup. This is an essential component of the Cherry Limeade recipe, and it’s super easy to make.
Ingredients for Cherry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Combine these three ingredients in a saucepan and let it simmer until the cherries are soft and the liquid has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the cherries are soft and the liquid has thickened slightly.
Once cooled, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and refrigerate until ready to use. You can gently press the cherries to extract more syrup if desired.
You might also want to learn how to make Blood Orange Syrup for Cocktails.
Are there any other ways to use the cherry syrup?
So, what else can you do with cherry syrup besides using it in limeade? The possibilities are endless! You can use it as a topping for pancakes or waffles, mix it into yogurt for a fruity twist, drizzle it over ice cream, use it as a glaze for meats, or add it to other cocktails for a sweet kick.
What to add to make this a cocktail?
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can turn this Cherry Limeade into a cocktail by adding a shot of your favorite liquor. Vodka would be a great option, but you can also try rum or gin. Just be mindful of the proportions and keep the balance of flavors in mind.
🍹 Home Bar Supplies You Might Need: 🍹
Before you start whipping out the ingredients to make this drink, make sure you have these essential bar tools in your kitchen first (or shop for them here):
How To Make A Sparkling Cherry Limeade
Now, let’s get back to the Cherry Limeade recipe. It’s super simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. Besides the cherry syrup, you’ll need fresh lime juice, cold water, sparkling water, ice cubes, and some fresh cherries and lime slices for garnish.
Mix all the ingredients in a pitcher, adjust the cherry syrup to your taste preference, add ice cubes, and garnish with some fresh cherries and lime slices. Voila! You’ve got yourself a delicious and refreshing Cherry Limeade.
Cherry Limeade Mocktail Recipe
Sparkling Cherry Limeade
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cherry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted and halved
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Ingredients for Sparkling Cherry Limeade:
- 1 cup fresh lime juice approximately 6-8 limes
- 4 cups cold water
- Cherry syrup to taste
- 1 can of Sparkling water plain or flavored
- Fresh cherries for garnish optional
- Lime slices for garnish optional
- Ice cubes
Instructions
Instructions for Cherry Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, water, and sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the cherries are soft and the liquid has thickened slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cherry syrup cool.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids. You can gently press the cherries to extract more syrup if desired.
- Transfer the cherry syrup to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Instructions for Cherry Limeade:
- In a pitcher, combine the lime juice, cold water, and desired amount of cherry syrup. Start with 1/4 cup of cherry syrup and adjust according to your taste preference.
- Stir the mixture well to combine the flavors.
- Taste the cherry limeade and add more cherry syrup if desired for additional sweetness.
- Add ice cubes to the pitcher or individual serving glasses.
- Garnish the cherry limeade with fresh cherries and lime slices, if desired.
- Serve the cherry limeade immediately and enjoy!
- The homemade cherry syrup adds a delightful burst of cherry flavor to the refreshing limeade. You can adjust the sweetness and tartness by adding more or less syrup. Feel free to experiment and customize the recipe to your liking.
And there you have it – limeade is a refreshing and delicious alternative to lemonade, and adding cherry syrup takes it to a whole new level. Whether you’re using sweet or sour cherries, fresh or frozen, the result is always amazing.
And the cherry syrup can be used in so many different ways, it’s a versatile ingredient to have in your kitchen. So, next time you’re looking for a refreshing beverage to quench your thirst, give this Cherry Limeade a try and impress your taste buds.
More Fruity Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes:
- Strawberry Mojito Recipe
- Raspberry Limoncello Spritz Cocktail
- Peach and Basil Bourbon Smash
- Honey Lavender Oat Latte
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