Make a pitcher or single serve, this Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade recipe is like the classic Sonic cherry limeade recipe yet it’s refined sugar free and made with fresh cherries! It’s zesty, SO refreshing and easily made into a cherry limeade cocktail to share with friends.
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 where I grew up, there’s a Sonic in every town. I used to hang out there with friends after soccer and football games. Now, the closest Sonic a few hours from where I live now, so it’s a rare occasion that I get to indulge.
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!
If you enjoy making homemade drink recipes, you’ll enjoy this seasonal, hot weather sipper.
At a Glance: How 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.
- 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.
Traci’s Tips
- 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.
- 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.
Honey Sweetened Fresh Cherry Limeade
Equipment
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.
I made this and my whole family loved it! I did a little less honey so it was more tart than sweet.
This looks delicious! We are wanting to use a punch bowl for a wedding shower. Do you foresee this being a problem if made 30 minutes in advance with the club soda? I see that your recipe says to serve immediately. Thanks!
Hi Amy! Club soda loses its fizz as it sets, so I would wait last minute to add it.
I made this last week when I had so many cherries I could not eat them all. Something I did not think was possible! I froze the liquid in ice cube trays, and use in water, seltzer, etc. Other than using a bit too much lime zest, I really like these. Might try with mint next time. Easy to make and good tasting. Thanks for the recipe.
I will be making cherry limeade for my Easter beverage. I’ll be making it with tart cherries that I have in the freezer. I may need to add more honey?
Hi Dorothy! Most likely. Adjust honey to taste after blending. Let us know how it goes!
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!
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
All of the above…. just be sure to offer a glug of vodka along side! ;)
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!