Simple Cherry Limeade Recipe

Make your favorite summer drink at home with this cherry limeade recipe! Make a single glass or enough for a crowd.

This post was originally published in July 2013; it was updated in 2026 with new photos, but the recipe remains unchanged.

This cherry limeade recipe is the unofficial drink of summer at my house. We love “fancy” cold drinks in the summer, like blueberry lemonade and peach tea. There’s nothing quite like mixing up a drink to read on the patio or float in the pool.

Best of all, I can make up a pitcher of this limeade base and it will keep in the fridge all week. Then I can just mix myself a drink every afternoon.

How to make cherry limeade

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 cup frozen cherries
• sparkling water or soda
• ice

Instructions

1. Make the limeade base.

Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan on the stove. Heat on medium for a few minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and add the lime juice. Let the mixture cool a bit, at least 5 minutes.

2. Prep the cherries.

While the limeade base is cooling, prepare the cherries. I used a mix of sweet and tart, but either will do. Cut each cherry in half or a quarter. Frozen fruit should’ve have pits, but make sure.

3. Combine and chill.

When the limeade base is cool enough, pour it into a pitcher with a lid. Add the cherries. Put the lid on and refrigerate the pitcher at least an hour, or until ready to serve.

4. Make a glass of cherry limeade.

Add ice to a glass. For each serving, fill a glass halfway with the cherry limeade mixture. Fill the rest of the way with sparkling water or soda. Add more cherries for garnish if you like.

The limeade base will keep in the refrigerator for about a week. This recipe is easy to double or triple for a party! For a fun variation, use lemon instead of lime or add more fruit.

Printable recipe

Yield: About 8 servings

Cherry limeade recipe

Print

Prep Time 8 minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes

Chill Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 cup frozen cherries
• sparkling water or soda
• ice

Instructions

1. Make the limeade base.
   Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan on the stove. Heat on medium for a few minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and add the lime juice. Let the mixture cool a bit, at least 5 minutes.
2. Prep the cherries.
   While the limeade base is cooling, prepare the cherries. I used a mix of sweet and tart, but either will do. Cut each cherry in half or a quarter. Frozen fruit should've have pits, but make sure.
3. Combine and chill.
   When the limeade base is cool enough, pour it into a pitcher with a lid. Add the cherries. Put the lid on and refrigerate the pitcher at least an hour, or until ready to serve.
4. Make a glass of cherry limeade.
   Add ice to a glass. For each serving, fill a glass halfway with the cherry limeade mixture. Fill the rest of the way with sparkling water or soda. Add more cherries for garnish if you like.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 148Total Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is only an estimate from online calculators. For more precise information, enter the specific ingredients you are using into your preferred tool.

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• 12 Delicous Summer Drink Recipes
• 7 Breakfast Smoothie Recipes
• Printable Fruit Coloring Pages