Turn a classic warm-weather favorite into a refreshing adults-only drink with this Boozy Cherry Limeade Recipe. It is bright, sweet, tart, fizzy, and made for sipping on a hot summer evening. If you love cherry limeade and enjoy homemade cocktail recipes, this easy drink is a fun way to bring those nostalgic flavors into a grown-up glass.
I have always loved cooking with limes and adding their fresh, citrusy flavor to drinks, desserts, marinades, and just about anything that needs a little brightness. So when I partnered with Everclear® to create a homemade drink, I knew lime had to be the star. Not just a splash of lime, either—lots and lots of lime. That idea turned into a homemade limecello, which became the flavorful base for this boozy cherry limeade cocktail.
This drink takes the familiar taste of cherry limeade and gives it a simple cocktail twist. The limecello brings a bold citrus flavor, the cherry syrup adds sweetness and color, and lemon-lime soda makes the whole drink bubbly and refreshing. It is easy enough to mix in just a few minutes, but it still feels special enough to serve at a summer dinner party, backyard barbecue, or casual get-together with friends.
A small glass of homemade limecello is a lovely way to finish a meal, but I wanted something lighter and more festive to share with guests. These cherry limeades were exactly right. I mixed each drink by hand so every glass had the right balance of lime, cherry, bubbles, and ice. Served icy cold, they were the perfect treat for a hot summer night.
How to Make Homemade Limecello
Do not be intimidated by the idea of making your own limecello. It is much easier than it sounds, and most of the process is hands-off. Pour half a bottle of Everclear® into a large mason jar. Zest 5 to 6 large limes, using only the green part of the peel and avoiding the white pith, which can taste bitter. Add the lime zest to the jar, screw the lid on tightly, and give it a gentle shake.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least one week. For the best flavor, let it sit longer if you can. I have found that about two months creates a smoother, more flavorful limecello. Give the jar a light shake every couple of days while it infuses. When it is ready, strain out the lime zest using a fine mesh strainer.
Next, make a simple syrup by combining 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a pot over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, then remove it from the heat and let it cool completely. Add the cooled syrup to the strained lime alcohol. The goal is equal parts lime-infused alcohol and simple syrup. You can use the limecello right away, but if you are patient, return it to a cool, dark place for another two months. That extra time helps the flavors blend and become smooth.
Everclear® works well for homemade infusions because it has a clean, neutral flavor that allows the lime to shine. It is a strong ingredient, so it is best used thoughtfully in craft cocktails, liqueurs, extracts, and other home mixology projects. In this boozy cherry limeade recipe, it helps create a bright citrus base that pairs beautifully with cherry syrup and fizzy lemon-lime soda.
Boozy Cherry Limeade Recipe
2
5 minutes
5 minutes
This Boozy Cherry Limeade Recipe is a quick, refreshing summer cocktail made with homemade limecello, cherry syrup, lemon-lime soda, and plenty of ice. It is sweet, tart, fizzy, and perfect for sharing with a friend.
Ingredients
- 2 oz homemade limecello made with Everclear®
- 2 oz cherry syrup
- 1 can lemon-lime soda
- Ice
Instructions
- In a pitcher, combine the limecello, cherry syrup, and lemon-lime soda. Stir gently so the soda stays fizzy.
- Fill 2 mason jar mugs or glasses with ice, then pour the cherry limeade mixture over the top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy cold. Share one with a friend.
Did you make this recipe?
Share it with friends, serve it at a summer gathering, or save it for your next warm-weather cocktail night.
Everclear® is a useful ingredient for craft cocktails and home mixology because its neutral grain composition helps extract flavor for infusions. Whether you are making liqueurs, bitters, tinctures, extracts, or a homemade citrus base like this limecello, it gives you the flexibility to create your own version of classic drinks.
This post was brought to you by Everclear®, the “original” grain alcohol, and Luxco. I received compensation to write this post. The opinions and text are all mine.