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Cherry Limeade is a classic drink popularized by Sonic Drive-In that is so easy to make yourself! This summertime beverage takes only a few ingredients to make and tastes tart, sweet, and so refreshing.
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My best friend worked at Sonic when we were in high school, which I thought was the coolest because we grew up in a smaller town and Sonic was brand new and a complete novelty. She told me all about the different flavored drinks they made, and swore the cherry limeades were the best. Honestly, she wasn’t wrong. They were so new and different to me, they instantly became my favorite. I have so many fond memories of sipping cherry limeades on the dirty curb with my bestie after her shifts (still wearing her roller skates, mind you). Now we live hundreds of miles apart, make our drinks at home, and FaceTime each other from our back patios. Times have changed, but our obsession with cherry limeades have stayed the same.
Key Ingredients
- Sprite – This is the base of the drink, perfectly sparkling and sweet. 7UP or any lemon-lime soda will work too.
- Cherry Syrup – Just a little bit is needed to add the right amount of cherry flavor. You can find these syrups, brands like Torani, online at Amazon, or even in grocery stores.
- Maraschino Cherries – These are garnish for your cherry limeade. I usually add a couple per drink because why not?
- Lime Wedges – Gotta have a little sour to balance out the sweetness of the cherry.
- Ice – Did you know you can buy the soft ice nuggets directly from Sonic? Before I got an ice maker (link to pebble ice maker, I will do this), I used to buy bags of sonic ice and keep them in my freezer to scoop into drinks.
Tips and Suggestions
Chill the soda – Chilled Sprite works best and will keep your ice from melting so fast. Get your soda nice and cold in the refrigerator before starting.
Reduce the sugar – Sprite Zero or Diet Sprite works just as well for a less sugar version.
Try it muddled – Release more flavor into your Cherry Limeade by muddling your ingredients. This just means mashing! So you can either do it in a separate cup or bowl, or the cup you are planning to drink from, but add your limes and maraschino cherries to a cup and mash them until juices are released, giving your stronger flavors in your drink.
Try it with Cupcakes!
Try pairing these drinks with cupcakes! Yes, you read that right. We have the best recipe for Cherry Limeade Cupcakes and they are the cutest (and most delicious) cupcakes ever. They are the perfect pair and make for a darling summer party spread.
Cherry Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 oz Sprite (2 cans, chilled)
- 4 tablespoons cherry syrup
- 6 maraschino cherries
- 4 lime wedges
- 2-4 cups ice (we like to use the pebble ice)
Instructions
- Place one lime wedge and one maraschino cherry at the bottom of the glass.
- Add cherry syrup.
- Add ice to fill up the glass about half way.
- Pour Sprite over the ice and mix.
- Place a lime wedge and cherries on top.
Nutrition Information
Fun Variations
- Seltzer version – Make with seltzer or soda water for a much less sweet, more grown-up tasting version.
- Blueberry Limeade – It’s the same idea as Cherry Limeade, but swap the cherry syrup for blueberry syrup, and the maraschino cherries for blueberries.
- Ginger Cherry Limeade – Make with ginger ale instead of Sprite for a fun flavor twist!
- Diet Coke Cherry Limeade – Make with Diet Coke instead of Sprite, it tastes so good!!
More Flavored Soda Recipes
More Summer Drink Ideas
Pink Drink
Pomegranate Sunrise
Sparkling Citrus Punch
Melonade (Watermelon Lemonade)
Peach Lemonade
Homemade Ginger Ale
Shirley Temple
Brazilian Limeade
