Cherry Limeade
The ultimate summer refresher, Cherry Limeade combines the sweetness of fresh cherries with zesty lime for a deliciously bubbly drink. Perfect for hot days or gatherings, this easy recipe will quickly become a favorite!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Chef's Knife
- Large Pot
- Wooden Spoon
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherries fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup lime juice about 4 large limes
- 2 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- To prepare the cherry syrup, be sure to remove the pits and stems from the cherries before getting started. In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the pitted cherries, orange juice, and maple syrup. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the syrup starts to bubble too high in the pot.
- When the timer goes off, use a potato masher to mash the cherries directly in the pot. Let the cherries simmer for 5 more minutes, over medium-low heat.
- When the cherries are done cooking, arrange a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl, and pour the cherry mixture into the strainer. Use a fork to mash the cherries, extracting as much juice from them as possible. Reserve the cherry pulp for another use, such as topping oatmeal or a dessert.
- To prepare the limeade, fill a 12-ounce glass with ice and add 3 tablespoons of lime juice and a 1/2 cup of sparkling water. This is for 1 serving; repeat with as many servings as you'd like to make.
- Add 3 tablespoons of the cherry syrup, and stir well. Taste and make any adjustments necessary. You can add a little more cherry syrup for extra sweetness and cherry flavor. Serve right away, with a slice of lime on the glass, for the best flavor.
- You can store any leftover cherry syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store leftover lime juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend not mixing this limeade together with the sparkling water until just before you're ready to serve, so it won't lose its carbonation.
Notes
- Nutrition Tip: Nutrition information is for 1 of 4 servings, assuming you use all of the syrup in 4 glasses. This information also doesn't take into account that you are straining out a hefty portion of cherry pulp, which also will retain some of the sweetener.
- Alternative Sweeteners: If you don't have maple syrup on hand, you can also use honey or agave syrup. (If you need a vegan recipe, don't use honey.)