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    Home / Recipes / Drinks

    Cherry Limeade (Sonic CopyCat)

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Jul 12, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

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    Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and tart with our irresistible cherry limeade. Refreshing and tangy, it's the ideal way to quench your thirst.

    Top angled view of cherry limeade drink.

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    This thirst-quenching concoction combines the lusciousness of cherries with the zesty tang of lime, creating an explosion of flavors in each sip. Whether you prefer it from Sonic or enjoy making your own at home, this drink is a go-to choice for those seeking a refreshing drink with a twist.

    You can also use the recipe in various ways, from sipping on ice-cold glasses to adding it as a splash in other drinks like strawberry lemonade. So grab some maraschino cherry juice, limes, and soda to experience the perfect blend of sweet and tangy goodness.

    Reasons to Love

    • Perfect thirst-quenching option on hot summer days. With every sip, you'll experience the refreshing taste of sweet cherries and tart lime.
    • Allows you to recreate the taste and nostalgia of your favorite Sonic drink. Making a homemade version gives you full control over the ingredients, and you can customize it to suit your preferences.
    • Save you money in the long run. You can enjoy the same beverage at a fraction of the cost using simple grocery store items.

    Ingredients

    Only a few key ingredients are needed to make our delicious cherry limeade recipe which tastes just like the one at Sonic.

    Ingredients for cherry limeade recipe.

    You'll need the following items for the recipe:

    • crushed ice
    • lemon-lime soda
    • jarred maraschino cherries
    • lime

    Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

    Instructions

    To make our copycat Sonic cherry limeade, follow these simple step-by-step instructions. To start, Fill a tall glass with crushed ice.

    Adding sprite to glass with ice.

    Add soda.

    Adding cherry juice to glass of sprite and ice.

    Add cherry liquid.

    Adding the lime juice to the drinking glass.

    Pour in lime juice.

    Cherry and lime wedge garnish added to drink.Pin

    Garnish with cherries and lime wedge.

    Variations

    Don't be afraid to experiment with additional ingredients in your cherry limeade. Here are some ways you can change up the recipe:

    • Alternative Fruit Flavors: Experiment with different fruits like strawberry, raspberry, or pineapple to infuse new flavors into your homemade cherry limeade. You can even use frozen fruit for a more refreshing drink.
    • Boozy Options: The addition of spirits can transform your regular drink into a fun adult version. Add a little vodka, rum, tequila, or flavored liqueur like cherry or lime-infused vodka.
    • Frozen Treat: Blend all the ingredients with ice cubes until smooth and creamy to create a delightful slushy consistency. Top it off with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for an extra touch of sweetness.
    • Use fresh cherries: Fresh cherries can be used instead of canned or bottled cherry syrup for bursts of natural flavor and sweetness. Pit and chop them up before adding them to your drink.

    You can also use ginger ale instead of lemon-lime soda for a taste more like a classic Shirley Temple drink. Or, add a scoop of no-churn lemon ice cream for a delicious soda.

    Tips

    Creating a delicious homemade cherry limeade is easier than you think. Follow these simple tips to whip up the thirst-quenching drink on hot summer days.

    • Choose limes that are heavy for their size with smooth skin.
    • Adjust the amount of cherry syrup based on how sweet you want it to be.
    • Squeeze more or less lime juice, depending on how tart you prefer it.
    Side view of cherry limeade drink.Pin

    Serving suggestions

    This beverage is perfect for summer barbecues. For a sweet and savory combination, pair it with grilled chicken or shrimp skewers.

    Want to take the drink up a notch? Scoop some lime or cherry sorbet into a glass and pour your cherry limeade over it. Or, make a hard candy lollipop recipe and use a lollipop as a stirrer.

    Storage

    Store any leftover cherry limeade in an airtight container to preserve its freshness. Keep it refrigerated to help preserve the flavors and prevent any spoilage. It is advisable to consume the drink within a few days for optimal taste.

    Top angled view of cherry limeade drink.Pin

    Related Recipes

    Need a few more drink recipes to cool down in summer? Here are some of our favorites.

    • Iced Americano is a refreshing coffee beverage.
    • Pineapple and banana smoothie is full of tropical flavor.
    • Blackberry tea on ice offers a delightful sip of summer in each glass.
    • Coconut milkshake is frosty and creamy.
    • Spinach strawberry smoothie is packed with nutrients.

    Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.

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    Recipe

    Top angled view of cherry limeade drink.Pin
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Cherry Limeade

    5 from 48 votes
    Satisfy your thirst with our tangy and sweet cherry limeade. This drink offers a refreshing burst of fruity goodness in every sip.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings (Adjustable): 1
    Calories: 256kcal
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Crushed Ice
    • 12 fluid ounces lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7up
    • 2 tablespoons cherry liquid from jarred Maraschino Cherries
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed (about 1 lime)
    • 2 Maraschino Cherries for garnish
    • 1 small lime wedge for garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill a tall (16 oz) glass with crushed ice.
    • Add soda.
    • Add cherry liquid and lime juice.
    • Garnish with cherries and lime wedge.

    Notes

    Choose limes that are heavy for their size with smooth skin.
    Adjust the amount of cherry syrup based on how sweet you want it to be.
    Squeeze more or less lime juice, depending on how tart you prefer it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jessica

      July 13, 2023 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with adding cherries to lemonade or limeade. This is one of my favorite ways to garnish, so while I haven't had this recipe at Sonic's, I'll definitely make it at home.

      Reply
    2. Ksenia

      July 13, 2023 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      This was the perfect mocktail! Sweet, refreshing and easy to make. I added a bit of soda water for my kids to make it less sugary for them, and everyone was very pleased.

      Reply
    3. Jenn

      July 15, 2023 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good! It was refreshing, had an awesome cherry flavour, and was also just so pretty! I made this for myself one afternoon for a little sugar pick-me-up, and it was perfect.

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Osborn

      July 15, 2023 at 8:35 pm

      5 stars
      A cherry limeade is one of my favorite drinks. This was a great version. Thanks.

      Reply
    5. Sharon

      July 16, 2023 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      We had a huge basket of cherries from a local farmer so I used those in the recipe as suggested and it worked perfectly! This was such a sweet and refreshing treat.

      Reply
    6. Ellen

      July 16, 2023 at 10:31 pm

      5 stars
      I tried your suggestion about putting sorbet in the cherry limeade. OMG! Game changer! It was delicious.

      Reply
    7. Sue

      July 17, 2023 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      Cherry and lime - what a great fusion of flavor! This was the perfect refreshment for a hot summer day - thank you!

      Reply
    8. Shilpa

      July 20, 2023 at 4:00 am

      This cherry limeade was so refreshing and good. The tangy and sweet flavors were balanced and on spot.

      Reply
    9. Sage Scott

      July 22, 2023 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      What a fast and easy way to make cherry limeade. Such a refreshing summertime drink.

      Reply
    10. Anne

      July 24, 2023 at 9:16 pm

      5 stars
      This was an instant hit in my household. The balance of sweet cherries and tart lime was absolutely perfect, and it was super refreshing!

      Reply

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