This Healthy Cherry Limeade is a refreshing summer drink with just 4 ingredients! Cherries, lime juice, sparkling water and a touch of sugar.
Hi Friends!
Let’s have a drink together, shall we? A non-alcoholic one for me of course!
When I was younger, I was on the swim team for a country club near our house. I loved it. In fact, one of my biggest regrets is not doing high school swim team. But anyways, summer was our swimming season and after almost every swim meet, we would stop at Sonic to eat. I always got the same thing- a plain footlong hotdog and a cherry limeade.
The other day I saw a commercial for Sonic and their cherry limeade and it sparked a craving. I tried to ignore it, but it just wouldn’t go away…so I did some research. Most homemade recipes call for frozen limeade concentrate, Sprite, or tons of added sugar. I wanted something simpler.
Here’s what I came up with. Just 4 ingredients. It’s not an exact replica…but it’s a heck of a lot healthier and it did the trick to cure my craving! I could taste the lime and cherry flavors and I got the bubbles from the sparkling water. Best of all, it wasn’t overly sweet!
PrintHealthy Cherry Limeade
A simple, 4-ingredient recipe for a refreshing summer drink!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 11/2 cups Rainier cherries (pitted)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar (more if desired)
- 2 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- In a blender, puree the cherries, lime juice and sugar.
- Taste and add more sugar if needed.
- In batches, pour puree into a large piece of cheesecloth, pull corners into a bundle and squeeze the bottom gently to get the juice out and leave the cherry skins in the cheesecloth. In between batches you can rinse the cheesecloth to get rid of the skins, squeeze out the excess water and repeat.
- When you’re done you should have about 1 cup of cherry lime juice.
- Mix with 2 cups sparkling water and pour into glasses with lots of ice.
- Garnish with slices of lime and cherries if desired.
A few notes:
- I know virtually nothing about cherries…I bought the Rainier cherries because the sign said they were super sweet, which I equated to being able to use less sugar. However, they’re kinda yellowish red, so this drink won’t come out bright red like that traditional cherry color you may be expecting.
- You could probably use other kinds of cherries but if they’re more tart, you may need to add more sugar.
- The straining through the cheesecloth is a little annoying, but worth it I think. If you’re lazy, or don’t care how it looks visually, you could skip that step!
I’m definitely bringing one of these to our next cookout so I can feel fancy!
Let’s chat:
What’s your favorite summer drink?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!
Sandra says
This sounds so refreshing! I may have to try this. I just bought some delicious cherries at the Co op. Hmm, a favorite drink is a tricky one as I pretty much stick to water most of the time but a favorite drink from my childhood memory is a Shirley Temple 🙂
Lindsay says
oh i used to love those!!
Pua says
My favorite summer drink is water… LOTS of water! This recipe would be nice to make for my in-laws tomorrow. Thanks!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Oh my gosh I totally want this right now!!!!! I’m not usually one for sweet drinks, but this seems like it’d really hit the spot!!!
Lindsay says
craving satisfied for sure 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
This looks like something a shot of sneaky vanilla vodka may find it’s way into. Nice one, Linds!
Lindsay says
i’d agree with you on that one 🙂 enjoy one for me!
Carla says
(((l’chaim!!!)))
Renee says
YUMMM I love limeade!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Pregnancy cravings are so funny! Glad you were able to curb yours with this fun drink. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks for leaving out the sugary concentrate! Will have to give this a try!
Lindsay says
hope you like them!
Danica @ It's Progression says
This looks awesome! I’ve kind of been on a cherry kick this summer.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I am getting really tired of plain water and have been making a lot of iced herbal tea- this sounds fantastic!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Oh Sonic and Cherry Limeades. Haven’t had one in eons. This sounds fantastic for summer.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
yum! already pinned
Lindsay says
thanks for pinning!
Kateri Von Steal says
TASTY! I’m going to try this
Lindsay says
woohoo! enjoy!
Jody - Fit at 56 says
I love Rainier cherries! YUM!!!
Amanda @ Running By Day says
Recipe sounds delicious and very refreshing!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
I’ve been seeing cherries all over the grocery stores. Time to buy some! I love Sonic cherry limeades, we used to get them ALL the time when I was younger.
Lindsay says
yep. i finally had to give in and buy a bag!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds awesome, Lindsay, and SO perfect for Summer!!
Amy says
WOW! Those images look amazing. I bet they tasted amazing too right? Great post as always, Amy.
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I’ve been loving fruit-infused water lately, but would love to shake things up with this fun limeade!
misszippy says
That sounds fantastic. I looove lime in anything, especially drinks!
Cassie says
You know, I’ve never loved cherries but I always LOVED cherry limeade. I haven’t had one in so long, thanks for reminding me about them! Can’t wait to try!
Lindsay says
i’m the same way. not a huge fan of just cherries…but put them in my drink and yum!
jill conyers says
I’m obsessed with cherries right now. Definitely trying this! Such a refreshing combination of flavors.
Lindsay says
let me know how you like it jill!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
Ohh this sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
This looks so refreshing! My in-laws grow cherries in their yard so we always have a large amount of cherries to eat!
My favorite summer drink is a mojito! I love anything that is minty!
Lindsay says
you’re a lucky girl! enjoy!
Kayla says
I really love any concoction with fruit and sparkling water. Alcoholic, I have been vibin’ cucumber vodka mixed with water or the vodka mixed with cucumber dry soda. On the plus side, cherries have a natural sleep effect like melatonin… Zzzzz! Sweet dreams!
Lindsay says
ooooh loving all that cucumber! yum!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
love it! this takes me back to my sonic carhop days! 😉
Lindsay says
ever knew you worked there! so fun!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I have an OBSESSION with Sonic cherry limeades. They were a high school tradition with my friends, and every time I go home to KS, a stop to Sonic is mandatory. I’m so in love with you hacking recipes to make healthier homemade versions! (And def sharing this on the blog this week!)
Lindsay says
thanks so much Erin. Sonic cherry limeades = kansas summers for me too!