Description
Easy Cherry Lemonade is a refreshing drink made with fresh, thawed cherries, lemon juice, and sugar, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tart. This simple beverage is perfect for hot summer days, barbecues, or family gatherings, and it’s easy to make in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
3 cups thawed whole, pitted cherries (2 (12 oz) bags of thawed dark pitted cherries)
9 cups purified water, divided
2 cups granulated sugar
1–1½ cups fresh lemon juice (Juice from about 7–8 large lemons)
Instructions
- Blend the Cherries: Add the thawed cherries to a blender (including any juice that’s in the bag) and blend until pureed.
- Strain the Juice: Double strain the cherry puree using a fine mesh sieve or juicing bag. After straining, you should have about 1 cup of cherry juice.
- Prepare the Base: Place the cherry juice into a large pitcher. Heat 2 cups of the purified water and add it to the pitcher along with the sugar. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, then gradually add the remaining cold water. Taste the lemonade after each cup of water and adjust the sweetness by adding more or less water, depending on your preference.
- Chill: Let the lemonade chill in the refrigerator, and stir before serving since the ingredients may settle. Pour the lemonade over ice and serve cold.
- Garnish: If desired, garnish with fresh mint, cherries, and/or lemon slices for an extra pop of flavor and presentation.
Notes
Adjust the sweetness level to your liking by adding more sugar or using honey/agave syrup.
For a fizzy twist, try substituting some of the water with sparkling water.
Herbal garnishes like basil or rosemary can add a unique flavor to this drink.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
