Cherry Limeade

Cherry limeade is lemonade's sweetest competition. Plus, it's a drink the whole family can enjoy.

Southern Living Cherry Limeade in glasses to serve
Photo:

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Servings:
10

Sweet, tart, and super refreshing, cherry limeade is the nonalcoholic drink you'll reach for all summer long. (Fans of Sonic might notice our version tastes just like the chain’s cherry limeade, a happy hour favorite.)

With a stunning color for a festive presentation, this drink is sure to be a hit at parties—and it’s easily scalable as a batch recipe for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. Bonus: It's also friendly for guests of all ages, and those abstaining from alcohol, but can be made boozy for any adults who wish to enjoy it that way.

Learn how to make cherry limeade, a drink the whole family will love.

Cherry Limeade Ingredients

Make cherry limeade with just four ingredients, each widely available at grocery stores:

  • Maraschino cherries: Find them in a jar with stems, and chill before using. (For a next-level result, go for Luxardo cherries.)
  • Lemon-lime soft drink: A bottle of Sprite, 7UP, or Starry would work, but use any variety of soda you like. Just make sure it's chilled first. 
  • Limes: Fresh-squeeze lime juice is required for a limeade. Don't use the bottle kind; it simply won't taste as good.
  • Tart cherry juice: While many cherry limeade recipes do not include cherry juice, ours does, and it imparts more of a real cherry flavor compared with the generic sweetness that comes from maraschino cherry liquid.
Southern Living Cherry Limeade ingredients

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

How To Make Cherry Limeade

Make a batch of 10 servings of cherry limeade in just four easy steps with about five minutes of prep time.

  • Step 1: Separate the cherries from the syrup. Drain the maraschino cherries, reserving the syrup. Set the cherries aside.
  • Step 2: Squeeze limes. Juice four limes, and thinly slice the remaining two. 
  • Step 3. Mix ingredients: In a large pitcher, stir together the maraschino cherry syrup, lemon-lime soft drink, lime juice, and tart cherry juice. Add the lime slices. 
  • Step 4: Add any garnishes and serve: Serve the drink over ice garnished with the reserved maraschino cherries.

What Is Cherry Limeade Made Of?

Cherry limeade is made from lemon-lime soda, lime juice, and maraschino cherries. In this recipe, we add cherry juice to make it taste a bit more like real cherries.

Why Is Cherry Limeade So Good?

You’ll like cherry limeades if you like a sweet-and-sour fruity flavor combo. These are super refreshing, especially when served ice on a hot day.

Is Cherry Limeade Alcoholic?

This version of the recipe is alcohol-free, making it a perfect mocktail for an all-ages crowd, much like Shirley Temples. But you could easily turn it into an adults-only alcoholic version by adding vodka or rum. Or go with gin if you want to make it a bit floral.

Our Tips for the Best Cherry Limeade

It is unlikely you'll mess up a cherry limeade, but a few tips might make your batch extra tasty:

  • So cold: Be sure to chill all ingredients before stirring together and serving; otherwise, the drink may melt the ice and dilute the limeade. Using everything already cold keeps the drink icy for longer.
  • So fresh: Fresh lime juice is delightful in this recipe, but you could also buy the lime juice to save some prep instead. The flavor won't be quite as bright and nuanced, but it'll do in a hurry.
Southern Living Cherry Limeade in glasses to serve

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Can You Make Cherry Limeade Ahead?

Because the soda is carbonated, you won’t want to make this full recipe ahead of time; the soda will go flat. If needed, you could mix the other ingredients together and add the soda when ready to serve. (That said, there really isn’t much need to make ahead as this recipe comes together in just minutes.)

More Great Mocktail Recipes

Add to your list of delicious summer sippers with these favorites:

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.

Ingredients

  • 1 (10-oz.) jar whole red maraschino cherries with stems, chilled

  • 1 (2-liter) bottle lemon-lime soft drink (such as Sprite), chilled

  • 6 limes, divided

  • 1/2 cup tart cherry juice, chilled

Directions

  1. Drain cherries:

    Drain maraschino cherries, reserving syrup. Set cherries aside.

    Southern Living Cherry Limeade draining the cherries

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  2. Juice limes:

    Juice 4 limes to yield 1/2 cup fresh juice; thinly slice remaining 2 limes.

    Southern Living Cherry Limeade juicing and slicing the limes

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  3. Mix drink:

    Stir together maraschino cherry syrup, lemon-lime soft drink, lime juice, and tart cherry juice in a large pitcher. Add lime slices.

    Southern Living Cherry Limeade stirring together the lime juice, cherry juice, and fruit

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  4. Pour over ice:

    Serve over ice garnished with reserved maraschino cherries.

    Southern Living Cherry Limeade pouring into a glass to serve

    Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Additional reporting by Alesandra Dubin

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