On hot summer days I always crave a classic cherry limeade. However, as I’ve gotten older, my tastes for the overly sweet syrups has declined. Which is how this simple and tasty recipe was created… with a desire for real fruit syrup, a good squeeze of lime, and lots of bubbles. Read on for a recipe for three fruit limeades that you can really mix it up and do several different ways!

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I work from home and this week was a lull between camps for my oldest. So, on a break from work we walked together to the local coffee shop. On the way I was trying to explain why I work and what I do to him so he could understand it a bit more… I also really wanted to impress so I shared a bit more:

Me: “My first job out of school was at a newspaper. Well, not my first job ever, that was Sonic [Drive-in Restaurant], but my first job out of college was at a newspaper. I’ve written for newspapers and for magazines!”

Him: “Yeah, but, I love Sonic.”

So, while I may not impress him or anyone else with my writing skills, those skills I learned at Sonic Drive-In have totally translated into making a ton of drink recipes. One of my drink recipes that seems to be directly related to my experience as a car hop is this recipe, a good ole classic, Limeade!

Homemade Fruit Syrup (Better Than Store Bought!)

Way back when I could fit into a size medium I loved the Cherry Limeades from Sonic, but these days the taste of that cherry syrup gives me heartburn rather than good feels. These three limeade versions are made with a homemade fruit syrup that doesn’t take too long to make and can sit in your fridge for about 2 weeks to make a lot of fun drink combinations.

I chose to make 3 different limeade versions so I created a fruit syrup out of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries. You can mix it up to any fruit really… though, if you prefer a citrus then skip making the syrup and just squeeze fresh fruit into your drink and add in a simple syrup.

Note: You can do the same with fresh fruit rather than frozen. You may need to increase the water a bit if so.

Ingredients for Fruit Syrup:

• 12 oz frozen fruit of choice
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions for Fruit Syrup:

1. Pour all three ingredients into a sauce pan (heavy bottom is best when working with sugar) and put over medium heat on stove top.
2. Stir frequently so that sugar does not sit on the bottom of the pan and it dissolves completely.
3. Cook for about 6-10 minutes or until the fruit has softened and sugar has fully dissolved.
4. Strain through fine mesh sieve (squash the fruit to get all the good stuff!) reserving the liquid.
5. Chill!

Note: Thinking ahead to the garnish… I chose to garnish my Strawberry Limeade and Blueberry Limeade with fresh fruit. But, I didn’t want fresh cherries as a garnish for the Cherry Limeade and I didn’t want Maraschino Cherries either, so instead I chose to pull out a few of the frozen cherries after they had soaked in the sugar and water mixture but before they got totally soft. I reserved a few of those cherries and put covered in the fridge to use as garnish later.

Limeade Times Three

You can make a variety of flavors of limeades! I made a Cherry Limeade, Blueberry Limeade, and a Strawberry Limeade. The directions for all three are the same!

Limeade Ingredients:

I’m not going to give exact proportions below because it’ll all depend on the size of your glass and your tastes.

• Fruit Syrup
• Limes
• 7-UP
• Garnish (fruit of choice)
• Glass filled with ice
• Straw/stirring spoon

Limeade Directions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour fruit syrup into the glass until it is about 1/4 the way full.
3. Squeeze in 1/2 lime (you can add more to taste later if needed)
4. Top with 7-UP
5. Add garnish
6. Stir and Serve!

Make it a cocktail!

Now, as delicious as this drink is without the addition of alcohol….it also makes a great base for some fun, easy adult-only drinks. Try one of the below variations (and drink responsibly!)

1. Add in a shot of vodka. A great flavored vodka (no added sugar! Wild Roots makes delicious ones.) would be fantastic in this. Or,
2. Add in a shot of rum. I’d go with a silver rum or if you’re feeling it, coconut or pineapple rum. Or,
3. Substitute the lemon-lime soda with a sweet sparkling wine.

Do you have any drinks that hit you with some full-force nostalgia? Share in the comments below!

This drink was originally shared in a #nightcapwithjenni session on Instagram. Like beverage recipes as much as I do? Don’t forget to follow-along this upcoming Sunday around 6 PM PST on Instagram stories for my next installment of #nightcapwithjenni!