Made with a homemade cherry syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice, this Cherry Lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Whether you're sipping it at a summer BBQ, enjoying a lazy afternoon on the porch, or serving it at a casual brunch, this drink is a crowd-pleaser. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make, so you can enjoy a glass of homemade cherry lemonade anytime you need a burst of freshness!
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❤️Why you will love this recipe
- Perfectly balanced flavors: The sweet cherry syrup blends beautifully with the tartness of fresh lemon juice for a refreshing, flavorful drink.
- Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and tools, this recipe comes together in minutes.
- Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness or tartness to suit your taste by adding more syrup or lemon juice.
- Great for any occasion: Whether it’s a summer BBQ or a cozy day indoors, this drink is perfect for all settings.
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves a cold glass of lemonade, and the cherry twist makes it extra special.
- No fancy equipment needed: All you need are basic kitchen tools, and you're ready to go!
This cherry lemonade is an easy, flavorful drink you’ll want to make again and again!
If you like this cherry lemonade you shoul also try my raspberry thyme lemonade or the popular rosemary peach lemonade.
🥣Equipment
To make this refreshing cherry lemonade, you only need a few basic kitchen tools. Having the right equipment on hand will make the process quick and easy.
- Citrus Juicer: To easily extract fresh lemon juice, getting the most flavor from the lemons.
- Pitcher: A large pitcher for mixing and serving the lemonade.
- Measuring Cup: Helpful for accurately measuring the cherry syrup and other ingredients.
📝The Ingredients
This recipe requires the following ingredients:
- Cherry Syrup: Use my homemade cherry syrup for a rich, fruity flavor, or you can opt for store-bought if you're short on time. Either way, the sweet cherry taste complements the tartness of the lemons perfectly.
- Lemons: Any lemon can be used as you will only need the juice. You could go for organic lemons so the zest can be used for other recipes.
- Water: Use drinkable water like filtered water or drinkable tap water.
- Ice: This is optional but great to keep your lemonade cold.
👩🏻🍳How to make a cherry lemonade
Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. Please read the recipe card for the full instructions.
- Juice the lemons
- In a pitcher, mix the cherry syrup, lemon juice, and water.
- Add ice to the pitcher to chill the lemonade and serve.
🍴Serving suggestions
This Cherry Lemonade is a refreshing and versatile drink that pairs well with a variety of dishes or can be enjoyed on its own. Here are some ideas for serving:
- Serve at a BBQ or picnic: Cherry lemonade pairs beautifully with grilled meats, burgers, and other BBQ staples. Its sweet-tart flavor helps balance out the richness of hearty summer meals.
- Enjoy with a light meal: This lemonade works great with salads, sandwiches, or fresh summer appetizers, providing a bright contrast to lighter dishes.
- Perfect for brunch: Serve alongside brunch favorites like waffles, pastries, or eggs benedict for a refreshing addition to your morning spread.
- Add fresh herbs: Enhance your lemonade by adding herbs like mint, basil, or thyme to the pitcher or each glass. These herbs add a fragrant, refreshing twist that complements the sweetness of the cherry syrup.
- Make it boozy: Add your choice of alcohol to make this a fun adult drink.
Whether you’re pairing it with a meal or sipping it solo, this cherry lemonade is perfect for any occasion!
🥄Storage
While it is recommended to enjoy this lemonade fresh, here are some tips on how to store the lemonade.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover cherry lemonade in an airtight container or covered pitcher in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving: The flavors may settle after a while, so give it a good stir before serving again.
- Avoid adding ice before storing: To prevent dilution, keep the ice separate and add it only when serving.
- Freezing option: You can freeze the cherry lemonade in ice cube trays for up to 1 month. Use the frozen cubes to chill future batches or add them to other drinks for a cherry twist!
💭Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I make this cherry lemonade ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just remember to stir it before serving and add ice when you're ready to enjoy.
Q: What can I use if I don't have cherry syrup?
A: If you don’t have cherry syrup, you can use cherry juice or blend fresh cherries and strain the mixture. You may need to add a little sweetener to balance the flavors.
Q: How can I make this lemonade less sweet?
A: To reduce the sweetness, simply add more lemon juice or water. You can also decrease the amount of cherry syrup if you prefer a more tart lemonade.
Q: Can I turn this into a sparkling lemonade?
A: Absolutely! Swap out half or all of the water for sparkling water to give your cherry lemonade a fizzy twist.
Q: What if I don't have a citrus juicer?
A: No problem! You can hand-squeeze the lemons or use a fork to help extract the juice. Rolling the lemons on the counter before juicing can also help release more juice.
Q: How do I adjust the recipe for a large crowd?
A: Simply double or triple the recipe, depending on the number of servings you need. Use a larger pitcher or divide the lemonade into multiple pitchers for serving.
Q: Can I add alcohol to this recipe?
A: Yes! You can turn this cherry lemonade into a cocktail by adding vodka, rum, or tequila for a fun adult version.
More recipes to try
📖 Recipe
Cherry Lemonade
Equipment
- Citrus Juicer
- Small Saucepan with lid
- Knife
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- ½ batch Cherry Syrup (around half a cup or around 120ml)
- 5 Lemons only the juice
- 7 dl Water
- Ice optional
Instructions
- Using a citrus juicer juice all the lemons.5 Lemons
- To a big pitcher add the fresh lemon juice, syrup and water.½ batch Cherry Syrup, 5 Lemons, 7 dl Water
- Add ice to the pitcher to chill the lemonade and keep it cool. This is an optional step.Ice
- Give everything a quick stir and serve.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the lemonade after mixing and adjust the sweetness by adding more cherry syrup for a sweeter drink, or more lemon juice for extra tartness.
- Best served fresh: While you can store the lemonade in the fridge for up to 3 days, it's best enjoyed freshly made for the brightest flavor.
- Avoid dilution: To keep the lemonade from getting watered down, add ice only when serving.
- Herb variations: For a fresh twist, try adding mint or basil to the pitcher. Lightly muddle the herbs before adding for extra flavor.
US Customary conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
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Nutrition
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