On hot summer days I always crave a classic cherry limeade. However, as I’ve gotten older, my tastes for the overly sweet syrups has declined. Which is how this simple and tasty recipe was created… with a desire for real fruit syrup, a good squeeze of lime, and lots of bubbles. Read on for a recipe for three fruit limeades that you can really mix it up and do several different ways!
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I work from home and this week was a lull between camps for my oldest. So, on a break from work we walked together to the local coffee shop. On the way I was trying to explain why I work and what I do to him so he could understand it a bit more… I also really wanted to impress so I shared a bit more:
Me: “My first job out of school was at a newspaper. Well, not my first job ever, that was Sonic [Drive-in Restaurant], but my first job out of college was at a newspaper. I’ve written for newspapers and for magazines!”
Him: “Yeah, but, I love Sonic.”
So, while I may not impress him or anyone else with my writing skills, those skills I learned at Sonic Drive-In have totally translated into making a ton of drink recipes. One of my drink recipes that seems to be directly related to my experience as a car hop is this recipe, a good ole classic, Limeade!
Homemade Fruit Syrup (Better Than Store Bought!)
Way back when I could fit into a size medium I loved the Cherry Limeades from Sonic, but these days the taste of that cherry syrup gives me heartburn rather than good feels. These three limeade versions are made with a homemade fruit syrup that doesn’t take too long to make and can sit in your fridge for about 2 weeks to make a lot of fun drink combinations.
I chose to make 3 different limeade versions so I created a fruit syrup out of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries. You can mix it up to any fruit really… though, if you prefer a citrus then skip making the syrup and just squeeze fresh fruit into your drink and add in a simple syrup.
Note: You can do the same with fresh fruit rather than frozen. You may need to increase the water a bit if so.
Ingredients for Fruit Syrup:
- 12 oz frozen fruit of choice
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Directions for Fruit Syrup:
- Pour all three ingredients into a sauce pan (heavy bottom is best when working with sugar) and put over medium heat on stove top.
- Stir frequently so that sugar does not sit on the bottom of the pan and it dissolves completely.
- Cook for about 6-10 minutes or until the fruit has softened and sugar has fully dissolved.
- Strain through fine mesh sieve (squash the fruit to get all the good stuff!) reserving the liquid.
- Chill!
Note: Thinking ahead to the garnish… I chose to garnish my Strawberry Limeade and Blueberry Limeade with fresh fruit. But, I didn’t want fresh cherries as a garnish for the Cherry Limeade and I didn’t want Maraschino Cherries either, so instead I chose to pull out a few of the frozen cherries after they had soaked in the sugar and water mixture but before they got totally soft. I reserved a few of those cherries and put covered in the fridge to use as garnish later.
Limeade Times Three
You can make a variety of flavors of limeades! I made a Cherry Limeade, Blueberry Limeade, and a Strawberry Limeade. The directions for all three are the same!
Limeade Ingredients:
I’m not going to give exact proportions below because it’ll all depend on the size of your glass and your tastes.
- Fruit Syrup
- Limes
- 7-UP
- Garnish (fruit of choice)
- Glass filled with ice
- Straw/stirring spoon
Limeade Directions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour fruit syrup into the glass until it is about 1/4 the way full.
- Squeeze in 1/2 lime (you can add more to taste later if needed)
- Top with 7-UP
- Add garnish
- Stir and Serve!
Make it a cocktail!
Now, as delicious as this drink is without the addition of alcohol….it also makes a great base for some fun, easy adult-only drinks. Try one of the below variations (and drink responsibly!)
- Add in a shot of vodka. A great flavored vodka (no added sugar! Wild Roots makes delicious ones.) would be fantastic in this. Or,
- Add in a shot of rum. I’d go with a silver rum or if you’re feeling it, coconut or pineapple rum. Or,
- Substitute the lemon-lime soda with a sweet sparkling wine.
Do you have any drinks that hit you with some full-force nostalgia? Share in the comments below!
This drink was originally shared in a #nightcapwithjenni session on Instagram. Like beverage recipes as much as I do? Don’t forget to follow-along this upcoming Sunday around 6 PM PST on Instagram stories for my next installment of #nightcapwithjenni!
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