5 from 12 votes
Cherry Limemade
Cherry Limemade combines a homemade cherry syrup made from fresh or frozen cherries, orange juice, and maple syrup with sparkling water and freshly squeezed lime juice. The syrup is cooked and strained to extract sweet, tart flavors, resulting in a bright and fizzy limeade with natural cherry notes, ideal for a refreshing beverage.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
151 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Cherry Syrup
- 1 pound Cherry fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Limeade Assembly
- 3/4 cup lime juice (about 4 large limes)
- 2 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- To prepare the cherry syrup, be sure to remove the pits and stems from the cherries before getting started. In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the pitted cherries, orange juice, and maple syrup. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the syrup starts to bubble too high in the pot.
- When the timer goes off, use a potato masher to mash the cherries directly in the pot. Let the cherries simmer for 5 more minutes, over medium-low heat.
- When the cherries are done cooking, arrange a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl, and pour the cherry mixture into the strainer. Use a fork to mash the cherries, extracting as much juice from them as possible. Reserve the cherry pulp for another use, such as topping oatmeal or a dessert. (It's sweet & delicious!)
- To prepare the limeade, fill a 12-ounce glass with ice and add 3 tablespoons of lime juice and a 1/2 cup of sparkling water. (This is for 1 serving; repeat with as many servings as you'd like to make.)
- Add 3 tablespoons of the cherry syrup, and stir well. Taste and make any adjustments necessary. You can add a little more cherry syrup for extra sweetness and cherry flavor. Serve right away, with a slice of lime on the glass, for the best flavor.
- You can store any leftover cherry syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store leftover lime juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend not mixing this limeade together with the sparkling water until just before you're ready to serve, so it won't lose its carbonation.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Remove pits and stems from cherries before cooking to avoid bitterness and ease straining.
- Reserve the cherry pulp strained from the syrup to use as a sweet topping for oatmeal or desserts.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey or agave syrup as alternatives, noting honey is not vegan-friendly.
- Nutrition information estimates are based on 4 servings using all syrup; servings may vary if syrup is divided differently.
Nutrition Information
Calories
151kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
0.3g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Sodium
28mg
(1%)
Potassium
414mg
(9%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
30g
(60%)
Vitamin A
157IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
37mg
(41%)
Calcium
52mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 151kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 0.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 28mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 414mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 30g | 60% |
| Vitamin A | 157IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 37mg | 41% |
| Calcium | 52mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.