Gin Spiked Cherry Limeade

Bold cherry paired with that fun tartness of lime. Two summer flavors gently sweetened, then infused with a touch of fresh mint and served chilled over a glass of crushed ice. Add a kick of gin and a splash of maraschino liqueur and you’ve got an old-fashioned, all American drink turned cocktail – just perfect for celebrating the summer season!

Sleepy small towns dotted across the Texas Panhandle typically had one thing in common, a local soda fountain or drive-in. And if you grew up in rural America, chances are Cherry Limeades are a favorite.

So many versions of cherry limeade are ridiculously sweet. This version celebrates that marvelous flavor of cherries muddled with fresh mint leaves along with lime juice. Add a boost of cherry flavor from black cherry juice. And if you want to turn up the volume, add maraschino liqueur and a generous poor of a great gin.

Finish with a touch of sweet with a little simple syrup then a good shake over ice.

Top it off with club soda for a light, bright fizz.

And for fun, a few Luxardo maraschino cherries on a stick are quite nice! This one is sure to stir memories!

Gin Spiked Cherry Limeade

We’ve also included a classic version, minus the alcohol. It’s perfect for sipping any time of day!

10 to 12 fresh mint leaves

½ cup fresh pitted cherries

4 tablespoons simple syrup* (recipe for basic simple syrup below)

4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, about 2 to 3 limes

¼ cup black cherry juice

8 tablespoons good gin

2 tablespoons maraschino liqueur, such as Luxardo

4 to 6 tablespoons club soda

Ice for shaking plus crushed for serving

Luxardo maraschino cherries for serving

Drop the mint leaves into a cocktail shaker along with the fresh cherries. Muddle together crushing the cherries and mint leaves together.

Pour in the simple syrup along with the fresh lime juice, cherry juice, gin, and the maraschino liqueur. Check for flavor, adding more simple syrup if needed.

Top off the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the cocktail is chilled, about 20 seconds. Divide the cocktail between two highball glasses filled with crushed ice. Top with 2 to 3 tablespoons of club soda per glass and stir to mix.

Add 3 to 4 maraschino cherries to a cocktail pick for garnish.

Makes 2 generous cocktails.

Classic Cherry Limeade

22 to 24 fresh mint leaves

1 cup fresh pitted cherries

½ cup simple syrup* (recipe for basic simple syrup below)

½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, about 5 to 6 limes

½ cup black cherry juice

½ cup club soda

Crushed ice for serving

Fresh cherries for garnish

Combine the mint leaves and the pitted cherries in the bottom of a pitcher. Muddle together, crushing the cherries with the mint.

Add the simple syrup along with the lime juice and cherry juice. Stir to mix.

Pour over a sieve or strainer to remove the crushed fruit.

Pour the cherry limeade over two tall glasses filled with crushed ice, leaving room to top with the club soda.

Add ¼ cup club soda to each glass. Stir to combine, top with a fresh cherry and serve!

Makes 2 generous drinks.

*To make a basic simple syrup:

3 cups of sugar

2 cups of water

Combine in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 10 minutes.

Let the syrup cool and keep refrigerated. The recipe for simple syrup makes about 2 to 2-½ cups and keeps well refrigerated, perfect for sweet iced tea, cocktails or cold drinks. If you want a smaller batch, you can easily cut the recipe in half.