Splash into a summery state of mind with a glass of bright, tart-sweet Cherry Lemonade! This quick and easy all-natural recipe is a snap to make at home, making it a perfect better-for-you alternative to most sugary canned beverages.
There’s something about warmer weather and longer days that has me extra thirsty these days. And, while water is great for staying hydrated, sometimes it just feels like a chore. That’s where my lemonade obsession comes into play!
It’s such an easy drink to make—all you need are lemons, water, and some kind of sweetener. Lemonade is also way more versatile than you’d think! To date, I’ve come up with recipes for lavender lemonade, blackberry lemonade, and raspberry lemonade—and my enthusiasm hasn’t waned a bit.
This newest ruby red addition to my drink cart is right in time for summer BBQs and sunny pool days, boasting a lovely pucker-worthy sourness balanced by the juicy sweetness of fresh cherries. Feeling parched? Let’s get to the kitchen and make a batch!
Jump to:
- What is cherry lemonade?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Cherry Lemonade Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Cherry Lemonade From Scratch
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Directions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Black Cherry Lemonade Nutrition
- Pricing Info
- Other Lemonade Recipes
- Recipe
What is cherry lemonade?
Lemonade is a beloved drink the world over, coming in various forms and flavors depending on the food traditions of a given culture. Here in the US, it’s a chilled, sweetened harbinger of spring and summer. While classic lemonade is made with just lemon juice, water, and sugar, you can add extra pizzazz by swapping in infused simple syrups as your sweetener.
Here we use a cheerful cherry syrup, made with just sugar, water, cherries, and an optional splash of almond extract. This fun addition gives our glass a happy hue, plus a juicy pop of fresh cherry flavor.
What does it taste like?
Each sip of my DIY black cherry lemonade tastes like a nostalgic blast from the past, reminiscent of childhood summers spent at the Oregon State Fair where the air is thick with laughter and the intoxicating smell of funnel cakes. It’s simultaneously sweet and sour, perfectly balanced between the sharp acidity of lemon and mouthwatering flavor of ripe cherries.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Lemonade Recipe
- Simply Sweet – Unlike many store-bought beverages, this DIY drink is made using only real, pronounceable ingredients—no artificial junk like dyes or preservatives. All you need are lemons, cherries, sugar, and water. How refreshing!
- Quick & Easy – My recipe for cherry lemonade is made with just 10 or so minutes of active kitchen time, so you can mix up a batch whenever the craving strikes.
- Crowd-Pleasing – I can’t imagine a scenario where someone sips this splendid nectar and is anything less than thrilled. Between the joyfully bright red color and craveably tangy taste, this cherry lemonade is sure to be a family favorite for years to come.
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to add a splash of summer to your glass. Here’s what to grab:
- Fresh Lemon Juice – “Fresh” is the operative word here! The flavor is much brighter and clearer than the kind that comes in a bottle. In total, you’ll need about 3-4 lemons.
- Water – If possible, try to start with filtered water for the cleanest taste.
- Cherry Syrup – While you’re welcome to make your own, my inexpensive homemade recipe is easy to make using just fresh or frozen cherries, sugar, water, and an optional splash of almond extract.
Substitutions
Fresh out of something? Not to worry. Here are some easy swaps to try:
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Try using fresh lime juice instead for a delectable homemade cherry limeade. 😋
- Water – Swap in soda water or seltzer for an effervescent twist.
- Cherry Syrup – Any flavor of simple syrup can be used instead, including plain or strawberry syrup.
How To Make Cherry Lemonade From Scratch
This easy recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Roll lemons firmly with your hand on a hard surface to loosen the juice.
Step 2: Juice. Cut the pressed, rolled lemons in half and juice using a juicer.
Step 3: Pour water into a pitcher.
Step 4: Add fresh lemon juice to the pitcher.
Step 5: Add the cherry syrup. Stir until combined.
Step 6: Pour over ice, garnish as desired, and serve!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Add Extra Fruit – Try mixing up the fruit you use to make your DIY simple syrup. Cherries play nicely with most berries and stone fruits, so think of pairings like cherry peach lemonade or cherry berry lemonade.
- Blue Cherry Lemonade – While blue cherries aren’t a real thing, my kids are obsessed with blue cherry-flavored candies. Rather than adding artificial dye to the mix, spoon in some butterfly pea flower to naturally change the hue to a bright purple. So fun!
- Sugar-Free Cherry Lemonade – Buy or make sugar-free cherry syrup so your diabetic friends can get in on the yumminess! My DIY syrup recipe has all the details on how to make your own.
Serving Suggestions
- Happy Hour. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, which means it’s time for a cherry lemonade cocktail! Make an adults-only version of this summery drink by adding a splash of vodka or white rum.
- Sparkle City. My daughter is super into sparkly things right now, so I’ll sometimes surprise her with a drink that has some edible luster dust swirled in. You can also double down on the glittery theme by using seltzer to make a sparkly sparkling cherry lemonade, because who doesn’t love being a little extra?
- Healthier Slurpees. I always loved the brain-freeze chill of a cherry Icee when I was a kid, but as an adult, I’m horrified to think what kind of crazy artificial stuff they put in there. Rather than slurp down a chemical cocktail, make a healthier DIY version with this cherry lemonade! Simply freeze half the batch into ice cubes, then blend the other chilled half with them once you’re ready to serve.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration – Cherry lemonade will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – For longer storage, freeze for up to 6 months. Make sure to leave sufficient headspace in your storage container for it to expand.
Recipe Success Tips
- Frozen Lemons – I recently learned that you can freeze whole lemons, limes, and other citrus, so feel free to stock up when they’re on sale! Just pop them in the freezer whole. While they won’t be great for making fresh lemon garnishes, defrosted citrus tends to release even more juice—ideal for lemonade!
- Shop Seasonally – Cherries are at their peak season in the summer, which is when they are both cheapest and tastiest. If you’re not quite there yet, grab frozen cherries instead—they have the added benefit of being pre-pitted.
- Serve Cold – Cherry lemonade is one of those drinks that should be extra frosty when you serve it. Starting with cold ingredients will make it easier to serve right away. Go a step further and freeze your serving glass for a fancy I-just-ordered-this-at-a-fancy-bar vibe.
FAQs
If you count all the ingredients separately, it might end up feeling like the homemade version is a little more expensive. That said, you’re also getting a lot more out of it—the steeped cherries make for an excellent ice cream topper or smoothie addition, while the spent lemon halves can be used for cleaning projects. Plus, when you make your own cherry lemonade, you can be certain of everything that goes in there—a luxury that store-bought doesn’t afford.
Yep! Think of lemon as the “universal flavor donor” of fruits—it’s bright acidity works well with just about any kind of other fruit, from berries and stone fruit to apples and pears.
I mean, taste is subjective, but I think it’s delicious!
Homemade Black Cherry Lemonade Nutrition
At only 137 calories per serving, this fantastically fresh-tasting drink is easy to sneak into just about any diet. As with most juice-based drinks, this tart cherry lemonade is free from any fat or protein—the calories are all carb-based from the sugary syrup. And, with only 9 milligrams of sodium per serving, there’s not much to worry about there.
Each serving has 36 grams of carbs, only 1 of which is fiber. Feel free to swap in a sugar-free alternative to lighten the load. And, don’t forget that cherries and lemons are good sources of vital nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and other antioxidants, so you’re getting some good stuff with each swig.
All in all, this homemade cherry lemonade is a drink you can enjoy in moderation without any guilt. Cheers!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 137 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 9 grams
- Carbohydrates: 36 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Pricing Info
This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons): $1.52
- 3 cups water: $0.00
- ¾ cup cherry syrup: $0.86
The total comes out to be around $2.38 or roughly $0.60 per serving!
Other Lemonade Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below! I would really appreciate your feedback!
Recipe
Easy Cherry Lemonade
Equipment
- 1 juicer
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup cherry syrup
Instructions
- Juice your lemons: Start by rolling them firmly with your hand on a hard surface to loosen the juice. Cut them in half and juice using a juicer.
- Stir together the lemon juice and water, then add the cherry syrup. Stir until combined.
- Pour over ice and serve!
Nutrition
If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!
xoxo Megan
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