Cherry-Limeade Soda Recipe

Another childhood treat was Sonic's Cherry Limeade.  It's really just a soda amped up with a generous portion of maraschino cherry juice.  For some reason, the extra bolt of lime combined with the sweetness of the cherry always called to me.  And while I have made my own maraschino cherries, I think the jarred variety better matches the flavor I grew up on.

Ingredients:
10 maraschino cherries
1/2 cup jarred maraschino cherry liquid
grated zest and juice of 2 fresh limes
1 tbsp agave syrup

Preparation:

1. In a large mason jar, combine the cherries, cherry liquid, and the lime zest and juice.  Muddle the cherries and liquid together.  Then stir in the agave to combine.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Optional - Run the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the lime zest and muddled cherries.
4. Refrigerate the syrup in a covered container up to 7 days.
5. To make the limeade soda, stir 2 tablespoons of the syrup into 1 1/4 cups seltzer water.  Garnish with maraschino cherries if desired.

Recipe courtesy of The Artisan Soda Workshop by Andrea Lynn 

United States  [ print this recipe for Cherry-Limeade Soda ]