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Healthy Cherry Limeade

July 16, 2014 by Lindsay 40 Comments

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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.

Make yourself a homemade Healthy Cherry Limeade on a hot summer day. This drink is refreshing and lower in sugar than the famous Sonic version.

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!

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Healthy Cherry Limeade

DSC 0823
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5 from 3 reviews

A simple, 4-ingredient recipe for a refreshing summer drink!

  • Author: Author: Lindsay L
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 11/2 cups Rainier cherries (pitted)
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (more if desired)
  • 2 cups sparkling water

Instructions

  1. In a blender, puree the cherries, lime juice and sugar.
  2. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
  3. 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.
  4. When you’re done you should have about 1 cup of cherry lime juice.
  5. Mix with 2 cups sparkling water and pour into glasses with lots of ice.
  6. Garnish with slices of lime and cherries if desired.

Did you make this recipe?

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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!

Make yourself a homemade Healthy Cherry Limeade on a hot summer day. This drink is refreshing and lower in sugar than the famous Sonic version.

I’m definitely bringing one of these to our next cookout so I can feel fancy!

Make yourself a homemade Healthy Cherry Limeade on a hot summer day. This drink is refreshing and lower in sugar than the famous Sonic version.

Let’s chat:

What’s your favorite summer drink?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Snack

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:24 AM

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:11 AM

      oh i used to love those!!

      Reply
  2. Pua says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:18 AM

    My favorite summer drink is water… LOTS of water! This recipe would be nice to make for my in-laws tomorrow. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:58 AM

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:11 AM

      craving satisfied for sure 🙂

      Reply
  4. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:28 AM

    This looks like something a shot of sneaky vanilla vodka may find it’s way into. Nice one, Linds!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:10 AM

      i’d agree with you on that one 🙂 enjoy one for me!

      Reply
  5. Carla says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    (((l’chaim!!!)))

    Reply
  6. Renee says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    YUMMM I love limeade!

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

    Reply
  7. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:58 AM

    Pregnancy cravings are so funny! Glad you were able to curb yours with this fun drink. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:51 AM

    Thanks for leaving out the sugary concentrate! Will have to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:10 AM

      hope you like them!

      Reply
  9. Danica @ It's Progression says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    This looks awesome! I’ve kind of been on a cherry kick this summer.

    Reply
  10. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    I am getting really tired of plain water and have been making a lot of iced herbal tea- this sounds fantastic!

    Reply
  11. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    Oh Sonic and Cherry Limeades. Haven’t had one in eons. This sounds fantastic for summer.

    Reply
  12. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    yum! already pinned

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:10 AM

      thanks for pinning!

      Reply
  13. Kateri Von Steal says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    TASTY! I’m going to try this

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:10 AM

      woohoo! enjoy!

      Reply
  14. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    I love Rainier cherries! YUM!!!

    Reply
  15. Amanda @ Running By Day says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    Recipe sounds delicious and very refreshing!

    Reply
  16. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    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.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:09 AM

      yep. i finally had to give in and buy a bag!

      Reply
  17. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    This sounds awesome, Lindsay, and SO perfect for Summer!!

    Reply
  18. Amy says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    WOW! Those images look amazing. I bet they tasted amazing too right? Great post as always, Amy.

    Reply
  19. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    I’ve been loving fruit-infused water lately, but would love to shake things up with this fun limeade!

    Reply
  20. misszippy says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    That sounds fantastic. I looove lime in anything, especially drinks!

    Reply
  21. Cassie says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:09 AM

      i’m the same way. not a huge fan of just cherries…but put them in my drink and yum!

      Reply
  22. jill conyers says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:32 PM

    I’m obsessed with cherries right now. Definitely trying this! Such a refreshing combination of flavors.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:09 AM

      let me know how you like it jill!

      Reply
  23. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    Ohh this sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Polly @ Tasty Food Project says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:09 AM

      you’re a lucky girl! enjoy!

      Reply
  25. Kayla says

    July 16, 2014 at 3:44 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:08 AM

      ooooh loving all that cucumber! yum!

      Reply
  26. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:50 PM

    love it! this takes me back to my sonic carhop days! 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:08 AM

      ever knew you worked there! so fun!

      Reply
  27. Erin | The Law Student's Wife says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:53 PM

    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!)

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:08 AM

      thanks so much Erin. Sonic cherry limeades = kansas summers for me too!

      Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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