Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make cherry lemonade recipe featuring freshly pureed cherries combined with lemon juice and sugar, perfect for a cool and tasty summer beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Juice
- 3 cups thawed whole, pitted cherries (with juice)
- 1 cup cherry juice (from pureed and strained cherries)
Liquid Ingredients
- 9 cups purified water, divided
- 1–1½ cups fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
Sweetener
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Garnish
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh cherries
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Prepare Cherry Juice: Add the thawed cherries, including any juice from the bag, to a blender and blend until completely pureed.
- Strain the Puree: Double strain the blended cherries through a fine mesh sieve or a juicing bag to remove pulp, resulting in about 1 cup of cherry juice.
- Combine Juice and Sugar: Pour the cherry juice into a large pitcher. Heat 2 cups of purified water and add it to the pitcher along with the granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Add Lemon and Water: Stir in fresh lemon juice and the remaining cold water, adding one cup at a time and tasting as you go to adjust sweetness and tartness.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the lemonade for at least 30 minutes. Stir well before serving to reincorporate any settled ingredients. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint, cherries, or lemon slices as desired.
Notes
- Adjust lemon juice and sugar according to personal taste for desired sweetness and tartness.
- Double straining the cherry puree ensures a smooth texture free of pulp.
- This lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a sparkling version, replace some or all of the water with sparkling water before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for heating water and dissolving sugar)
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
