Easy Cherry Lemonade Recipe

Now that the summer heat has arrived, cool things down with one of my favorite summer drinks, my cherry lemonade! It’s refreshing, easy to make, and non-alcoholic so the whole family can enjoy it! 

It’s no secret that I share quite a few cocktail recipes around these parts, but every good hostess knows she needs several top notch refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage recipes in her stash too!

While I love a good old-fashioned lemonade recipe, there’s something extra special about cherry lemonade.

This family friendly cherry lemonade recipe is my absolute favorite for these hot summer days and nights. I love to keep a pitcher made up to enjoy. If guests are coming over, I just add some pizzazz with fresh sliced lemons and a cherry on top. It’s the little touches, y’all!

What I love most about this lemonade recipe is layering the cherry and the lemonade so it looks all pretty! These layers remind me of a sunset. Add a few fruit garnishes and ta-da! You can certainly stir your cherry lemonade for a solid light reddish hue if you prefer. Either way, it’s totally delicious!

If you plan to try your hand at a variety of lemonade drink recipes this summer, here are a few kitchen staples and essentials that might help you out!

Lemonade Essentials

• Fresh Lemons – This one is an obvious one but fresh-squeezed lemons make all the difference in lemonade.
• Hand-Held Lemon Squeezer or Juicer
• Sugar
• Saucepan – This is great for making flavored syrups (like the cherry syrup in this cherry lemonade) or other varieties.
• Pitcher
• Wooden Stirring Spoons
• Cute Glasses & Straws

If you’re hosting friends or family for a summer party, check out these related party ideas!

• Lemonade Stand Party
• Pink Lemonade Summer Party
• Backyard Party Tips & Ideas

Cherry Lemonade

Author: Courtney Whitmore

A refreshing cherry lemonade, perfect for summer!

SERVINGS 4

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Ingredients

  

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For the Cherry Syrup:

• 3 cups sweet cherries - pitted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Lemonade:

• 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fine sugar
• 4 cups cold water

Instructions

 

• In a saucepan over medium heat, simmer cherries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Once cherries are broken down and liquid is syrup-like, remove from heat. This is about 30 minutes.
• Strain cherry syrup and discard skins.
• Make lemonade by adding lemon juice, sugar, and cold water. Stir well.
• Pour cherry syrup into the bottom of each glass (about 1/4 cup) and finish with lemonade.
• Garnish with maraschino cherries and lemon slices.

Notes

You can also mix the cherry syrup with the lemonade in a pitcher instead of serving layered-style.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

With cherries in season, I hope you’ll find time to whip up a batch of this cherry lemonade! For year-round cherry lemonade, you can use frozen cherries or pre-made cherry juice for a similar cherry lemonade drink. You can even try your hand at fruity lemonade popsicles for a twist!

More Great Summer Drinks

• Frozen Watermelon Cocktail
• Pink Flamingo Punch
• Famous Mai Tai Recipe
• Southern Fruit Tea Cocktail