Make a pitcher or single serve, this Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade recipe is refined sugar free, zesty and SO refreshing! Delicious for sharing or sippin’ with your favorite book in hand. It’s easily made into an adult beverage to share with friends.
This recipe was first published July 2016 and has been updated with new photos and recipe notes July 2021. The recipe remains unchanged.
Table of Contents
An Inspired Cherry Limeade Recipe
It’s the cherry limeade Sonic is so well known for! Those of you who know the fast food restaurant chain Sonic, you’re familiar with their cherry limeades.
Cherry limeade has always been a summertime treat, as long as I can remember. In Texas, there’s a Sonic in every town. I used to hang out there with friends after soccer and football games. When my brothers and sister were little, sometimes Mom and Dad would take us there after Sunday church. Now, the closest Sonic in Washington State is a few hours from where I live, so it’s a rare occasion that I get to indulge.
They serve typical American fast food, like chili cheese burgers, hot dogs, and cheesy jalapeño poppers, so it’s not a place I’d seek out now. Although, if they offered a veggie burger with veggie chili on top, you may just find me there (droool).
But a Sonic cherry limeade is one thing that holds a special place in my heart. And so, I love being able to make an inspired one at home!
A Quick Guide to Make Cherry Limeade
Cherry season is the perfect time to whip this homemade cherry limeade recipe! Instead of loading it up with sugar and a commercial lemon-lime soda (more sugar), I opt for honey and club soda. In summary, here’s how to make this cherry flavoring for drinks (see recipe card for details):
- First, start with simmering the cherries in water.
- Second, add the cherries, honey, lime zest and juice to a blender (I use a VitaMix).
- Next, whirl the ingredients until smooth. 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
- Ice Ice Baby: For a cherry limeade like Sonic, be sure to crush your ice! Place it in a bag and smash it against the counter! Doesn’t that feel good?! Or, use a high speed blender to crush the ice into tiny bits (I use VitaMix).
- A Subtle Sipper: 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.
- Adult Beverage: For an cherry syrup cocktail, add a glug of vodka to the finished sipper.
- 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.
- Freezer Friendly: This recipe freezes with ease! Be sure to leave at least an inch of head space in a Mason jar if freezing.
I’ve been using this Cherry Pitter for years and love it! It’s efficient and easy to clean.
More Summer Drinks to Enjoy
the recipe
Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade
Ingredients
For the Syrup:
- 1 C (175g) Pitted Fresh Sweet Cherries
- 1/2 C (115g) Water
- 1/3 C (90g) Raw Honey
- 2 tsp Lime Zest
- 1/3 C (55g) Lime Juice fresh squeezed (about two limes)
For the Limeaids:
- 30 oz (850g) Club Soda
- Fresh Cherries and Lime for Garnish
Instructions
For the Syrup:
- In a medium sauce pot, add the cherries and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, mash up the cherries a bit then put a lid on the pan, slightly ajar so a little steam can escape and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the cherries are soft.
- In a blender, add the cherries, all their juices, honey, zest and lime juice. Blend until smooth. If any solids remain, strain mixture using a fine mesh strainer.
- Chill before making the Limeades.
- Store the cherry syrup in the refrigerator for up to one week in a lidded container or freeze for up to one month.
For the Drinks:
- For individual servings, fill each 8oz (225g) glass with ice. Pour 2oz (30g) of syrup into each glass, then top off with club soda. Stir, and garnish with cherries and lime slices.For a little stronger flavor, add more cherry syrup.
- For a pitcher, fill a pitcher with ice. Add all the syrup to a pitcher, then top with 30 oz (850g) of club soda. Stir and garnish with cherries and limes. Serve over ice right away.
To Store:
- Fresh cherry limeade syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Love the new photos Traci! This cherry limeade is the perfect way to showcase all those gorgeous summer cherries. So refreshing! Cheers!
Thank you Mare! You and Mr. P would love these!
Hmmm – looks so incredibly refreshing and delicious of Course.
Thank you Gabriel!
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!
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
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!