Description
Vibrant Cherry Pineapple Lemonade with homemade cherry syrup, fresh lemon and pineapple juice. Perfect for summer!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 6 cups water, divided
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Fresh cherries and pineapple wedges, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice.
- Simmer the mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Cook down the syrup: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cherries have softened and the syrup has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. You’ll know it’s ready when the syrup coats the back of a spoon.
- Strain the syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Then, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into a bowl. Press down on the cherries with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the cherry solids (or save them for another use, like topping ice cream!).
- Cool and store: Let the cherry syrup cool completely before using. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Make a simple syrup (optional): If you prefer a smoother lemonade, you can make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it cool before using. This helps the sugar dissolve more easily in the cold lemonade. If you don’t mind a little bit of sugar settling at the bottom, you can skip this step and just add the sugar directly to the lemonade.
- Combine the liquids: In a large pitcher, combine the remaining 5 cups of water, fresh lemon juice, and pineapple juice.
- Sweeten to taste: Add the simple syrup (if using) or granulated sugar to the pitcher. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust the sweetness as needed. You might want to add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter lemonade, or more lemon juice if you prefer a tarter one.
- Chill the lemonade: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is important for a truly refreshing lemonade!
- Fill glasses with ice: Fill each glass with ice cubes.
- Add cherry syrup: Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of cherry syrup into each glass. Adjust the amount to your liking, depending on how cherry-flavored you want your lemonade to be.
- Top with lemonade: Slowly pour the pineapple lemonade over the cherry syrup and ice, filling each glass almost to the top.
- Stir gently: Gently stir the lemonade to combine the cherry syrup and lemonade. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can dilute the flavors.
- Garnish (optional): Garnish each glass with fresh cherries and pineapple wedges for a beautiful and festive presentation. You can also add a lemon slice or a sprig of mint for extra flair.
- Serve immediately: Serve the Cherry Pineapple Lemonade immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness of both the cherry syrup and the lemonade to your taste.
- Experiment with other fruits in the syrup, such as raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
- For a sparkling lemonade, substitute some of the water with club soda or sparkling water.
- For an adult version, add a shot of vodka, rum, or tequila to each glass.
- Pour leftover lemonade into popsicle molds for a refreshing frozen treat.
- Infuse the water with lemon slices, cucumber, or mint before making the lemonade.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for parties or gatherings.
- If fresh cherries are not in season, you can use frozen cherries for the syrup. Just make sure to thaw them slightly before using.
- Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons, so using them will result in a sweeter lemonade. Adjust the sugar accordingly.
- If using fresh pineapple juice, make sure to remove the core, as it can be quite tough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes