Spiked Cherry Limeade | The Summer Pour
A tart, ruby-hued cocktail with the thrill of summer and a wink of nostalgia.
We’re ending Cherry Week with a toast.
This drink tastes like a barefoot evening on a warm porch. Tart cherries, fresh lime, and a splash of vodka—bright, fizzy, and the color of a good sunset. It's the grown-up version of that cherry limeade you begged for as a kid, only now a little more dangerous... in the best way.
Perfect for sipping while you prep dinner, test a new recipe, or share a toast with someone you love.
RECIPE
Serves 2 cocktails | multiply if you need more
For the Cocktail:
½ cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
3 tablespoons simple syrup (adjust to taste). I used Agave
½ cup vodka (or white rum)
½ cup cold sparkling water or club soda. I used Sprite
Ice
Garnish:
Lime wheels
Fresh cherries
Mint sprigs (optional)
🍸 METHOD
Make the Base
In a blender, combine cherries, lime juice, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve for a smoother drink—or keep the pulp for texture.Shake or Stir
In a cocktail shaker or glass with ice, add the cherry-lime mixture and vodka. Shake or stir well to chill.Top with Fizz
Divide between two glasses filled with ice. Top with sparkling water (~¼ cup per glass) and stir gently.Garnish & Serve
Garnish with a lime wheel, cherry, and mint sprig if using. Sip slowly. Let summer in.
Optional Variations:
Swap vodka for tequila for a cherry-lime margarita twist
Add a slice of jalapeño or a splash of chili tincture for heat
For a mocktail, skip the vodka and add extra soda or cherry juice
🍒 A Toast to Cherry Week
Thank you for following along—whether you made the whole menu or just dreamed of it. I loved building this seasonal table with you, one cherry-stained recipe at a time.
If you try the cocktail (or your own spin on it), let me know.
Link to Cherry Week Menu Recipes:
Next week, the menu will lean 🌊
🍽️Looking for more seasonal cooking inspiration?
Explore the Recipe Archive - lemon, orange, pomegranate, cherries, rustic meals and more.
👋 A Note from Lily
I’m Lily Hawthorne—a seasonal cook, garden romantic, and writer exploring the quiet beauty of a well-tended life. I share recipes with an Italian-Provence spirit, reflections from the garden, and the slow unfolding of a well-tended, creative life.
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