Cherry Limeade (Sonic Copycat)

two image collage of cherry limeade in glasses ready to enjoy. Garnished with maraschino cherries and fresh lime slices. center color block with text overlay.

Refreshing Cherry Limeade is the perfect way to quench your thirst this summer! Cool, delicious, sweet and tart, this quick and easy cherry limeade recipe is a winner!

Looking for more cherry recipes? Try my Cherry Cheese Danish, Cherry Almond Cupcakes and Maraschino Cherry Frosting!

This easy Cherry Limeade is tart, sweet and so delicious – everything a summer drink should be! You’ll love how refreshing this limeade is, perfect for hot summer days, poolside parties and BBQs!

Limeade is delicious on it’s own but the addition of sweet cherry flavor makes this our beverage of choice during the summer. Cherry and lime are such an incredible flavor combination and it’s that classic combo that makes this drink a winner.

Sonic Copycat

The flavor of this limeade is spot on for what you get at Sonic – it’s so good! The good news is you can adjust the flavors to your liking using my suggestions in the Variations To Try section at the end of this post.

Try this refreshing, cooling, delicious Cherry Limeade recipe that will have you quenched and feeling great in no time!

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More Lime Recipes To Try

We are HUGE fans of all things lime. I find it to be my favorite citrus flavor and it’s just so delicious in so many ways. Here are a few of our favorite lime recipes to try:

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Snowball Cookies

Coconut Lime Cilantro Cooler

Key Lime Pie Bars

Easy Key Lime Fruit Dip

Key Lime Pie Lush

Ingredients Needed

There are just 5 ingredients in this easy Cherry Limeade recipe. Check out the Variations To Try section below for ideas on how to customize this recipe.

Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need here and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.

limes – you’ll need enough limes for 1 cup of lime juice plus additional limes for garnish.
lemon-lime soda – you can use Sprite, 7UP, whatever you like.
granulated sugar – for the lime simple syrup. If you want a tarter limeade, omit the sugar and the step of making the simple syrup. You can use another sweetener here if you prefer. Coconut sugar or stevia are options to consider.
cherry juice – tart or sweet, whichever you prefer. If you want the cherry flavor to be stronger, you can use about 2 tablespoons of cherry syrup (found in the alcohol section of your grocery store) instead.
maraschino cherries – you’ll need a 10 ounce jar, cherries and the syrup will be used in the recipe.
crushed ice – for a good Cherry Limeade Sonic copycat version, make sure it’s crushed. Otherwise, any ice will do.

How To Make Cherry Limeade

You won’t believe how simple this recipe is! It takes about 10 minutes to make if you’re going the simple syrup route and even less if you don’t. Let’s take a quick look at the steps:

Juice limes. Juice enough limes for 1 cup of lime juice. I used about 7 limes.

Make simple syrup. Combine half of the lime juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and bring just to a simmer stirring frequently to dissolve sugar. Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. (I pop in the freezer to cool quickly.)

Combine. Add reserved lime juice, simple syrup, lemon-lime soda and cherry juice to a pitcher and stir to combine.

Maraschino cherries. Add the jar of cherries, including syrup for a stronger, sweeter cherry flavor. (Reserve a handful of cherries for garnish if desired.) The syrup from this jar can take the place of the cherry juice if you don’t want both. However, I prefer the flavor of the juice over the flavor of the syrup, so choose what makes you happy! This drink also tastes amazing without the extra maraschino cherries, so add them at your discretion.

Add ice. Add crushed ice to the pitcher is nearly full.

Limes. Thinly slice 1 or 2 limes and add to the pitcher.

Serve immediately. Serve over ice and top with additional limes and a maraschino cherry for garnish.

I recommend a citrus juicer for juicing the limes. It’s much more effective than just using your hands. (You won’t get as much juice out and you may need additional more limes.)

Cherry Limeade FAQs

How should I store leftovers?

Store this drink in the pitcher in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. When ready to serve and drink again, stir the contents with a long handled mixing spoon. You can also freeze this drink for a fun frozen treat.

Are there any tips or tricks for making this recipe easier?

There are a few things you can do to make this recipe easier. Use juice from concentrate instead of fresh limes. Although I prefer the freshness, if you are really in a hurry, you can just grab a bottle of lime juice at the store and use it instead of the fresh fruit. You will need about 1 cup of lime juice.

Can you freeze this?

Freezing this limeade is a great idea but we prefer to make it into popsicles!

Can I use real cherries?

Not really. They just don’t have enough flavor to really give that classic cherry limeade flavor this recipe needs.

Variations To Try

Make this recipe as written once and then go crazy! Here are some fun ideas to add a twist to this cherry limeade:

To make this lemonade adult friendly, consider adding in ½- ¾ cup vodka, triple sec, or a light rum.
Smash mint leaves on the bottom of the pitcher for a mint infused cherry limeade.
Add some lime zest for a stronger lime flavor.
Add a half teaspoon of coconut extract for a yummy, tropical twist.
Pump up the cherry flavor by adding cherry syrup.

More Summer Drinks To Try

Cooling off with a delicious summer drink is one of my favorite things during the summer months! We have so many favorites but here are a few I know you’ll love:

Watermelon Lemonade

Strawberry Italian Soda

Vodka Cranberry Cocktail

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

Pineapple Margarita

Berry Lemonade

Basil Lemon Drop

How To Make Cherry Limeade