Beat the heat with this incredibly refreshing and vibrant Tart Cherry Limeade! It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour, ready in just 5 minutes for the easiest summer drink you’ll make all season. This crowd-pleasing recipe is guaranteed to be the star of any barbecue or pool party.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I first fell in love with a version of this drink at a local fair, but the lines were always too long. I knew I had to recreate that perfect, puckery-sweet flavor at home. Now, this limeade is a non-negotiable staple at all our family gatherings, bringing back those sunny, carefree summer memories with every sip.
Ingredients
- 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate
- 1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime-flavored carbonated beverage
- 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and juice reserved
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 lime, sliced for garnish
- Ice, for serving
Step-by-step instructions for making the recipe
- Add the two cans of frozen limeade concentrate to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the entire 2-liter bottle of lemon-lime soda.
- Add the reserved juice from the jar of maraschino cherries and the fresh lime juice.
- Stir the mixture well until everything is fully combined.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour the cherry limeade over the top, and garnish each serving with a few maraschino cherries and a slice of lime.
Tart Cherry Limeade
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the two cans of frozen limeade concentrate to a large pitcher.2 (12 oz) cans frozen limeade concentrate
- Pour in the entire 2-liter bottle of lemon-lime soda.1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime-flavored carbonated beverage
- Add the reserved juice from the jar of maraschino cherries and the fresh lime juice.1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, 1 lime, juiced
- Stir the mixture well until everything is fully combined.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour the cherry limeade over the top, and garnish each serving with a few maraschino cherries and a slice of lime.1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, 1 lime, sliced, as needed ice
Notes
FAQ
How can I make this limeade less tart?
The tartness is a key feature, but you can easily mellow it by adding an additional bottle of lemon-lime soda or a cup of simple syrup to taste.
Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best made just before serving to preserve the carbonation from the soda. You can mix the limeade concentrate, cherry juice, and lime juice ahead of time, and then add the soda right before you serve.
What can I use if I don’t have maraschino cherries?
You can use frozen pitted cherries. Thaw them and use the liquid from thawing along with a little simple syrup to replace the cherry juice.
Is there a sugar-free version?
Yes! You can use sugar-free limeade concentrate and a diet lemon-lime soda to make a delicious sugar-free version.