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Cherry Limeade: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink Recipe

  • Total Time: 70 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

Refreshing homemade cherry limeade with fresh cherries, lime juice, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for a hot summer day!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen cherries, pitted (if using frozen, thaw slightly)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on cherry sweetness)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8–10 limes)
  • 6 cups cold water (for diluting the concentrate)
  • Lime slices, for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Combine Cherries, Sugar, and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water. Make sure the sugar is evenly distributed among the cherries.
  2. Bring to a Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. You’ll want to see small bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.
  3. Simmer and Stir: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the cherries to release their juices and the sugar to dissolve completely, creating a thick syrup. The cherries should become very soft and almost fall apart.
  4. Mash the Cherries: After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash the cherries. This helps to release even more flavor and color into the syrup. Don’t worry about getting them completely smooth; a little texture is perfectly fine.
  5. Strain the Syrup (Optional but Recommended): For a smoother syrup, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. Place the sieve over a bowl and pour the cherry mixture into it. Use a spoon to press down on the cherries, extracting as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids or save them for another use (like adding to yogurt or oatmeal!). If you don’t mind a little pulp in your limeade, you can skip this step.
  6. Cool the Syrup: Allow the cherry syrup to cool completely before using it. This will take about 30-45 minutes at room temperature. You can speed up the process by placing the syrup in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. Cooling the syrup helps to prevent the ice from melting too quickly when you assemble the limeade.
  7. Choose Ripe Limes: Select limes that are heavy for their size and have a smooth, thin skin. These limes tend to be juicier.
  8. Roll the Limes: Before juicing, roll the limes firmly on a countertop or cutting board. This helps to break down the membranes inside the lime and release more juice.
  9. Juice the Limes: Use a citrus juicer (either a handheld squeezer or an electric juicer) to extract the juice from the limes. Aim for about 1 cup of fresh lime juice.
  10. Strain the Lime Juice (Optional): If you prefer a pulp-free limeade, strain the lime juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp.
  11. Combine Syrup and Lime Juice: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled cherry syrup and the fresh lime juice. Stir well to combine.
  12. Add Water: Pour in the 6 cups of cold water. Stir gently to mix everything together.
  13. Taste and Adjust: This is the most important step! Taste the limeade and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed. If it’s too tart, add a little more cherry syrup or sugar. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lime juice or water. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
  14. Chill the Limeade: For the best flavor, chill the limeade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the limeade to become nice and cold.
  15. Fill Glasses with Ice: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Crushed ice is also a great option for a more slushy texture.
  16. Pour the Limeade: Pour the chilled cherry limeade into the ice-filled glasses.
  17. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with lime slices and fresh mint sprigs for a pop of color and added flavor. You can also add a cherry to each glass for an extra touch of sweetness.
  18. Serve Immediately: Serve the cherry limeade immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • The cherry syrup can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Leftover cherry limeade can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes

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Find it online: https://recipesgrape.com/cherry-limeade/