Homemade Cherry Limeade (Cherry Lime Soda)

Name: Homemade Cherry Limeade (Cherry Lime Soda)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 Ounces Fresh or Frozen Cherries (pitted); Zest and Juice of 4 Limes; 1/2 Cup Water; 1 Cup Organic Cane Sugar OR Agave OR Maple Syrup; 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste; Cherry Limeade Syrup; Sparkling Water; Ice; Fresh Cherries; Lime Wedges

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Make homemade Cherry Limeade! This tasty cherry lime soda is like homemade version of the Sonic drink. It's sweet and tart, with a creamy finish. Made with real ingredients.

Several glasses of cherry limeade soda, garnished with a fresh cherry, lime wedge, and green and white striped straw.

The latest installment in my homemade soda series! I have been loving making my own sodas! The flavor combinations are endless, they are filled with real, non-processed, ingredients, and they are easy to make refined sugar free!

This cherry lime soda is like cherry limeade, but instead of adding soda Sonic-style, we're making the entire thing from scratch! It's super simple though.. all the flavors come together in one syrup, then top with sparkling water for soda vibes.

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Why You'll Love This Cherry Lime Soda
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Step-By-Step Instructions
Serving Suggestions
Serve a crowd
FAQ & Expert Tips
Recipe Prayer
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Tried this recipe?
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Why You'll Love This Cherry Lime Soda

Healthier version of a classic - when I tell you I couldn't believe how good this tastes despite being a homemade version!
Nostalgic - a throwback to classic soda shop vibes
Warm weather drink - perfect for warm days or when you're craving a sweet treat
A homemade version of the sonic drink - and healthier too!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Cherry Limeade Syrup

Fresh or Frozen Cherries: fresh or frozen cherries both work great here! Of course, if you use fresh, you'll need a cherry pitter.
Lime Juice & Zest: this drink needs both lime juice and zest. Fresh lime juice is the base of the syrup, but the zest actually gives the lime flavor. Without it, the syrup will not have a strong lime flavor. Grab a microplane and get zesting!
Water
Sugar: I use organic cane sugar to make sure the syrup is vegan. For a refined sugar free version I recommend using agave. It works great and doesn't change the flavor!
Vanilla: vanilla gives this soda a little more depth and makes it more like cherry limeade, without pouring in a can of sprite.

For Soda

Cherry Limeade Syrup: from above
Seltzer Water: you can also use club soda or any other unflavored sparkling water.
Ice
Garnishes: fresh cherries, lime wedges, and a fun straw!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. In a small saucepan heat the cherries, lime juice and zest, and sugar over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture bubbles slightly.

Cherry Limeade step 1 - heat the lime juice, zest, cherries, water, and sugar.

Step 2. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool completely.

Cherry Limeade step 2 - remove from the heat and add the vanilla.

Step 3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer.

Step 4. For soda, serve 1-2 ounces of syrup over ice. Fill the glass with sparkling water. Then top with a cherry, lime wedge, and a striped straw!

Cherry Limeade step 4 - serve over ice, topped with sparkling water.

Serving Suggestions

Serve over ice in a cute soda glass for a classic soda fountain experience.

Add an orange wedge and a striped straw for some fun!

Serve a crowd

Hosting brunch or a summer party? Mix a large batch of syrup just before serving.

Grab a syrup bottle and allow guests to add ice, syrup, and seltzer to their own glasses to preserve carbonation.

FAQ & Expert Tips

Can I make the syrup ahead of time?

Yes! The syrup can be refrigerated until you're ready to make individual drinks.

Can I use flavored sparkling water?

Plain sparkling water makes for a classic flavor, but a lime flavored sparkling water would enhance the citrusy vibes.

Storage

This syrup is great for long-term storage. Good in the fridge for about 2 months.

Pro Tip: Avoid boiling the lime zest for too long. A gentle simmer extracts plenty of citrus flavor while minimizing bitterness from the peel.

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for this sweet, refreshing drink. Thank you for healthier versions of our favorite foods. Amen.

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