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.
This recipe was first published July 2016 and has been updated with new photos and recipe notes July 2021. The recipe remains unchanged.
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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!
Quick Guide: 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. 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 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.
- 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
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.
Dorothy
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?
Traci York
Hi Dorothy! Most likely. Adjust honey to taste after blending. Let us know how it goes!
Gabriel Inpool
Hmmm – looks so incredibly refreshing and delicious of Course.
Traci
Thank you Gabriel!
Amy
OMG. Those photos are amaaaazing! I’m going to make this today as I have both cherries and limes in the frig!
Traci
Hehe :D Thank you Amy! I hope you enjoy the limeade! I’m whipping up a batch too :D
Spencer
Love this recipe! Do you have any suggestions for easy ways to get the pits out of fresh cherries for this?
Traci
Hi Spencer! Thank you so much! I use a cherry pitter. I use it for olives too!
Amanda
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!
Traci
Thank you for your note! Whoop Whoop!! I’m with ya Amanda! Time to whip up another batch! :D
Alida | Simply Delicious
This looks SO good!! Even now while we are experiencing winter, I would happily sip on one of these! Yum!
Traci
Oh they’re so good. Frozen cherries will work here too!
Barbara
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.
Traci
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!
Allyson
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.
Traci
Oh my that’s sooo hot Allyson! You need extra bubbles and ice. Stay cool my dear!
Ma
Or … instead of club soda use champagne!! Talk about an adult beverage.
Traci
I love this Ma… and Jen’s idea of vodka! We could have a make your own party! xo
Jennifer Caldwell
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!
Traci
The vodka addition is genius! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Jen… so refreshing and not too sweet… just right! xo