Make a pitcher or single serve, this Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade recipe is refined sugar free, zesty and SO refreshing! Delicious for party hosting or sippin’ with your favorite book in hand.
Summertime Treats
Cherry limeade has always been a Summertime treat, as long as I can remember. Those of you who know the fast food restaurant chain Sonic know their cherry limeades.
In Texas, there’s a Sonic in every town. I used to hang out there with my friends after soccer and football games. Sometimes Mom and Dad would take us there after Sunday Church. The closest Sonic in Washington State is a few hours from where I live now.
They serve typical American fast food, with junk food galore like chili cheese burgers, hot dogs, and cheesy jalapeño poppers, so it’s not a place I’d seek out anyway now. Although, if they offered a veggie burger with veggie chili on top, you may just find me there. But cherry limeade is one thing they make that holds a special place in my heart.
Now that I know how to make cherry limeade at home, it’s the only way I’ll drink it now!
How to Make Cherry Limeade
Because I love cherry limeade so much, I started making my own at home. Instead of loading it up with cane sugar and a commercial lemon-lime soda (more sugar), I opt for honey and club soda. Here’s how to make it:
- First, start with simmering the cherries in water with lime zest.
- Second, add the cherries and their juices to a blender (I use a VitaMix) with honey and lime juice.
- Next, whiz the ingredients until smooth (strain if any solids remain), then pour into a lidded storage jar and chill.
- Last, add a bit to an ice packed glass, then top with fizzy club soda.
Ahhhhh… can you taste it?
The syrup can be used to make individual drinks, or a pitcher of limeade can be made to serve a small crowd, using the entire batch of syrup.
A Few Recipe Notes
- For a cherry limeade like Sonic, be sure to crush your ice! Place it in a bag and smash it against the counter!
- The flavor of this cherry limeade recipe is subtle. Lime and cherry notes shine because sugar doesn’t get in the way of their sublime flavors.
- For an adult beverage, try adding adding a glug of vodka.
- A high speed blender is a must in this recipe. VitaMix pulverizes the cherries in this syrup recipe, leaving behind all the fruit and juice to be enjoyed in this sipper.
- Make ahead! The recipe easily doubles and freezes with ease! Be sure to leave at least an inch of head space in a Mason jar if freezing.
Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade
Make a big batch or single serve, this Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade is refined sugar free, zesty and SO refreshing! Freezer friendly!Servings: 5 ServingsCalories: 90kcalIngredients
- 1 C Pitted Fresh Sweet Cherries 175g
- 1/2 C Water 116g
- 1/3 C Raw Honey 90g
- 2 tsp Lime Zest
- 1/3 C Lime Juice fresh squeezed (about two limes), 55g
- 30 oz Club Soda 850g
- Slices Fresh Cherries and Lime for Garnish
Instructions
For the Syrup:
For the Drinks:
Notes
Adapted from Whole Foods.Nutrition is provided as an estimate (per serving) and courtesy. If this information is important to you, please verify it independently.
Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mgTried this recipe?Loved it? Leave a comment below! Take a snap of what you made and share it on social: @VanillaAndBean, tag #VanillaAndBean!
OMG. Those photos are amaaaazing! I’m going to make this today as I have both cherries and limes in the frig!
Hehe :D Thank you Amy! I hope you enjoy the limeade! I’m whipping up a batch too :D
Love this recipe! Do you have any suggestions for easy ways to get the pits out of fresh cherries for this?
Hi Spencer! Thank you so much! I use a cherry pitter. I use it for olives too!
Hi Traci, your cocktail looks delicious! I am very fond of making all kinds of drinks and this one looks extremely nice! Great job and thanks for sharing!
As someone who is also from Texas and has been an advid Sonic Cherry Limeade drinker, this stuff is “Amaze Balls!!!!”. Love it! Thanks for sharing and man it’s so much better than buying the stuff. Thanks a million.
-Whoop! Whoop!
Thank you for your note! Whoop Whoop!! I’m with ya Amanda! Time to whip up another batch! :D
Hi Traci, I loved your recipe and have included it in a lemonade round up on BuzzFeed. Do take a look and show some love :) https://www.buzzfeed.com/manjumahadevan/21-incredibly-refreshing-lemonades-you-need-to-dri-1ykl9
Ah, my kids would go crazy over this one! That gorgeous color!! This is such a refreshing alternative to all of those sugary drinks out there. And I love how you captured the fizz in that last picture- you are awesome. :)
Awh, thank you Emily! Your kiddos *would love this one!
Ahhh! I still love this shot of the fizz spraying up!! Also – I totally didn’t realize you were from Texas! (Probably I DID know and I forgot because that’s happening a lot lately…). What part of Texas again?? My husband will be SO into this – he LOVES Sonic (even though he hasn’t been able to eat there since he was in high school because I’m not about to let us go to fast food when we visit…). I’ll have to make this for him as a treat!
Thaaank you Sarah! Now if I can just get that ISO cranked down more to eliminate some noise.. always learning! I’m from the DFW area, just North of Denton from a little town called Flower Mound. It’s been a looong time since I’ve lived in that area, since I got married. How about your husband? LOL – Rob LOVES sonic too and would certainly have a field day if we made it to one (we’re heading North on a trip soon.. right by a sonic :0 ) I’ll have to distract him!! I hope he loves this, Sarah!
Oh wow!!! This looks and sounds so delicious!!! Cherries are my fav summer fruit, so I love the idea of cherry syrup (and gulp of vodka with them sounds awesome too ;) Must try!!! Thank you for sharing! xxx
I hear you Anna! They’re so plump and juicy this year! I’ve frozen so many and hope they’ll last me through the winter. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I adore the combo of cherry and limes!!
Me too GiGi! :D
Beautiful post Traci, I LOVE the photos of the fizzing, lively cherry limeade – it just looks like summer. I’ve actually never heard of Sonic or cherry limeade, so might have to try your version at the end of the year when cherries come in season to experience what it is all about. It looks like it would be perfect for a Christmas party with that vibrant red and green lime! <3
What a great Idea! A Christmas time drink… the color is beautiful and is so festive. Perfect for celebrating the season!
Oh this sounds so refreshing! Cherry limeade is definitely not a thing here in Australia, but I’ll be happily making batches of this when summer rolls around to our hemisphere again! Also, these photos are absolutely amazing! So pretty and summery!
Thank you so much, Amy.. no doubt Australia gets hot! This would give that heat a one two punch!
This looks SO good!! Even now while we are experiencing winter, I would happily sip on one of these! Yum!
Oh they’re so good. Frozen cherries will work here too!
This looks so, so refreshing! It’s so crazy hot outside, that I’d love a pitcher of this all to myself. The photo with all of the bubbles is just great, too =) Sharing this on my blog’s Facebook page now!
Right? And I could drink an entire pitcher myself! Thank you for sharing, Lauren! :D
I have always been a big lemonade fan, so was thrilled to try you recipe for Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade, and have chosen to blog about making it from your recipe, as well. It could not be more refreshing and is perfect for this heat wave we are experiencing in the NorthEast section of the USA.
Hi Barbara! So happy you love it and no doubt, it’s so hot in many parts of the US right now. I look forward to your post!
I love cherry and lime combo! And I love that you used honey here to keep it healthy. I want those fizzy bubbles NOW it’s 96 and full humidity in NC.
Oh my that’s sooo hot Allyson! You need extra bubbles and ice. Stay cool my dear!
Oh yes, when I lived in Texas my coworkers would make “happy hour” runs to Sonic for cherry limemades. I can’t imagine them ever offering a veggie burger on their menu. That would be the day!!
Even if they did, I would much rather have your version of cherry limeade. I love that it’s naturally sweetened with honey. The color is stunning and that fizz shot is INCREDIBLE. One of these days I need to come get a photography lesson from you!
See, yall were smart… adding vodka.. I’d never thought of it until my sis said something. She never let me in on her secret all those years! lol. You come all the way up here, Sarah, I’ll share all my photog tips! xo
I love cherry limeade!! It is one of my favorite drinks! And homemade with fresh cherries is the best! I am certainly going to try your recipe if I can get my hands on some cherries! It is already going out of season here!! :( I love this last shot where you can see the soda bubbling!! gorgeous Traci! have a great weekend!
I love it too, Amisha.. and fresh cherries are a must. It does make a difference. I hope you find some cherries! xo
I’ve never had cherry limeade or been to a Sonic, Traci – but I love cherries and lime so this sounds delicious. I just planted a lime tree – so no fruit yet – but hopefully in the future I’ll have tons of limes! Your pictures are gorgeous as always – love the effervescent bubble shot! And heck yes to Vodka!
Then you’d love this, Geraldine! And you’ll be all ready next Summer with your glorious lime tree! How fun! Yes to bubbles and vodka! xo
When I saw the title of this post I totally thought of Sonic! Although the comparison ends with the name, because Ummmmm Sonic’s Cherry Limeade has got NOTHING on this, Traci! So beautiful and the perfect summer sip, my friend! I’m thinking I’ll take a pitcher AS a single serve… with a couple glugs of vodka. Is it 5 o’clock yet?! PINNED! Cheers, dear!
LOL – Sonic… right? How about sippin on this in front of your weekend movie events? Perfect with a glug of vodka! Thank you for your Pin, Chey! xo
What a beautiful summer fresh drink Traci ~ I can see why it would bring back delicious childhood memories. I like how you’ve recreated it with just the right touch of sweetness (also love the bubbles – good idea!) limeade is not something I make often (we tend to overflow with lemons – limes are tougher to grow here) but I know I would love this. Cherries… oh boy… I’ve been eating them by the bowl full! Beautiful work.
How about a cherry lemonade? Oh my with a glug of vodka, Kelly… oh yeaaah.
This looks so delicious and the colors are so vibrant. Traci, you know me…is this calling for a splash of vodka or is that just me?!?! I can’t wait to try this — YUM!!! xo
It’s not just you, Rebecca! My sis said “needs vodka!” And look below! Ma said champagne! LOL! DO IT! xo
Or … instead of club soda use champagne!! Talk about an adult beverage.
I love this Ma… and Jen’s idea of vodka! We could have a make your own party! xo
Oh Traci, this cherry limeade looks wonderful! What a delicious, seasonally perfect drink to serve to company for parties in the summer! I LOVE that you’ve used the honey and the club too. And your Big Sister may be onto something with the vodka, just sayin’!
All of the above…. just be sure to offer a glug of vodka along side! ;)
Traci, you nailed it and I’m so happy to finally find no sugar alternative, thank you so much! And I absolutely love how you captured the soda sparkling!
I’m glad the summer isn’t over yet, need to try this with different fruits.
I wil also follow your advice about vodka :D
Love, Nataša
Thannnk you Natasa! ooohhh can you imagine perhaps, with plum? Oh my… add that Vodka!! :D
Update: I made these with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries and with limoncello :) Plum is my next try! If you don’t see me posting in IG this week, I’m drunk, haha :)
Hooray! Natasa, a mixed berry limeade? WHAAA?? And limoncello?? You’re on to something!! I love it! Can’t wait to see your IG post!! Thank you for sharing! :D
This fresh-made cherry limeade is such an exciting discovery! Thank you, sweet sister. And thank you for the sample yesterday. This just might be my new favorite drink. So fresh and full of flavor! Think of all the antioxidants and nutrients we’re getting. Easily addictive. The cherries and honey make it plenty sweet without the added sugar. WAY better than a Sonic cherry limeade. And, YES, I can’t wait to try it with vodka at the end of a hot summer day!
A huge delight! You’ve knocked it out of the park again!
The vodka addition is genius! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Jen… so refreshing and not too sweet… just right! xo
Oh man, I used to LOVE Sonic in college! The tater tots and slushies were my favorite! I love love love the beauty of cherries in this, plus limeade? I’m sold! The last picture in this post is my favorite Traci, it’s gorgeous!
Right? Ooooo those tater tots! I forgot about them! Dang it… I may just have to get out to the closest one! hehe.. Cherries are gorgeous in so many ways! Thank you for your kind comments, Abby!