Description
This sweet and refreshing cherry limeade is made from scratch using real cherries and freshly squeezed lime juice. Served over ice, this fruity drink perfectly balances cherry and lime flavors, making it an ideal thirst-quencher for hot summer days.
Ingredients
Fruit and Juice
- 1 ½ cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries (10 ounces)
- 1 cup lime juice (8 – 10 limes, freshly squeezed)
- Fresh lime slices for garnish
Other Ingredients
- 3 cups filtered water (divided)
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- Ice
Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: If using fresh cherries, pit them first. If using frozen cherries, allow them to thaw for at least 30 minutes to ensure easier blending.
- Blend Ingredients: Add the pitted cherries, 2 cups of filtered water, and cane sugar to a blender. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and well combined.
- Strain Concentrate: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or pitcher, pressing gently to extract as much liquid as possible while leaving behind the solids.
- Mix Limeade: Stir in the remaining 1 cup of filtered water and the freshly squeezed lime juice to the strained cherry concentrate, mixing until fully combined.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice, pour the cherry limeade over the ice, and garnish with fresh lime slices. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a smoother drink, ensure thorough blending and straining of the cherry mixture.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less cane sugar according to taste.
- If limes are not available fresh, bottled lime juice can be substituted, but fresh juice will yield the best flavor.
- To reduce prep time, use frozen cherries that have thawed sufficiently.
- This recipe serves approximately 6 people.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
