By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 18, 2025
Cherry Limeade is one of the most iconic summer drinks; it’s refreshing on a hot summer day and full of tart cherry flavor. This homemade Cherry Limeade recipe is better than the one you’re used to because it’s made with fresh cherries and just the right amount of sugar. Serve it over ice or add a bit of vodka if you want an adult version!
Cherry Limeade Recipe
Cherry Limeade is the iconic summer drink we all love. Tell me you didn’t run to Sonic and gulp these down regularly too (just me?). It’s the most refreshing drink on a hot day, and I’ve come to love that classic cherry lime flavor.
I created this homemade Cherry Limeade recipe because I wanted a slightly healthier, fresher, and tastier version to serve friends and family. With fresh fruit in place of flavored syrup and a little less sugar, I feel a lot better about drinking this regularly. I’m OBSESSED, actually, and I think you will be too once you try it.
While this drink is non-alcoholic and kid-friendly, in typical fashion, I created an adult version too, Cherry Limeade Vodka with a splash of vodka for the perfect alcoholic summer drink for outdoor parties and BBQs.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 cups cherries pitted
- ▢ 2 limes sliced (you can leave the peel on)
- ▢ ¾ cup sugar
- ▢ 6 cups water divided
- ▢ 1 cup lemon lime soda
- ▢ ½ cup good quality vodka optional
- ▢ ice for serving
- ▢ garnish: cherries and lime slices
Instructions
- Place cherries, limes, and sugar in a high powered blender with 2 cups water. Blend until fully combined and smooth. 3 cups cherries, ¾ cup sugar, 2 cups water
- Strain the liquid fully and then pour into a large pitcher and stir in the remaining 4 cups water and 1 cup lemon lime soda. Stir in the vodka if adding. 1 cup lemon lime soda, ½ cup good quality vodka, 4 cups water
- Serve over ice garnished with cherries and limes. Enjoy! ice for serving, cherries, limes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Homemade Cherry Limeade Step by Step
Get the blender ready: Place 3 cups of pitted cherries, 2 sliced limes, and 3/4 cup sugar in a high-powered blender with 2 cups of water. Blend until fully combined and smooth.
Strain: Pour the liquid through a strainer, then pour into a large pitcher and stir in the remaining 4 cups of water and 1 cup lemon lime soda. Stir in the vodka if adding.
Serve : Serve over ice, garnished with cherries and limes. Enjoy!
How to Store
Store leftover cherry limeade in a glass container in the fridge for up to 1 week. It is best to store without the added ice, or it will get diluted.
Serving Suggestions
If you are looking for a few things to snack on while you enjoy your cherry limeade, Crockpot Chex Mix is a great savory option, as are these sweet Candied Pecans , or even these simple Roasted Pumpkin Seeds would taste great.
more refreshing drink recipes
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Strawberry Margarita Punch
Skinny Pineapple Tea (Sweet Iced Tea Recipe)
How To Make Limeade
Homemade Cherry Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups cherries pitted
- 2 limes sliced (you can leave the peel on)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 6 cups water divided
- 1 cup lemon lime soda
- ½ cup good quality vodka optional
- ice for serving
- garnish: cherries and lime slices
Instructions
- Place cherries, limes, and sugar in a high powered blender with 2 cups water. Blend until fully combined and smooth. 3 cups cherries, ¾ cup sugar, 2 cups water
- Strain the liquid fully and then pour into a large pitcher and stir in the remaining 4 cups water and 1 cup lemon lime soda. Stir in the vodka if adding. 1 cup lemon lime soda, ½ cup good quality vodka, 4 cups water
- Serve over ice garnished with cherries and limes. Enjoy! ice for serving, cherries, limes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
