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Delicious copycat recipe for Sonic’s Cherry Limeade! Ingredients include 7-Up, cherries, a lime, and maraschino syrup. This simple recipe tastes just like the real thing.
We love simple, refreshing drinks like this one. For another Sonic copycat, be sure to check out our Ocean Water recipe. For some other drink recipes, check out our Pink Punch or are Sprite Lemonade.
Sonic Copycat Recipe
Sonic has become one of our favorite places to go as a family. We love the food, but we especially love the drinks!
From the soda to the slushies to the ice cream, there’s something for everyone in the family.
My favorite drink has always been the Cherry Limeade. It’s flavorful and can also be ordered DIET for those who like their diet drinks. 😉 This particular recipe is so easy and made with: 7UP (or Sprite), cherries, lime and maraschino syrup.
How to Make Cherry Limeade
As you can imagine, this drink is made just by combining all of the ingredients together. So simple!
It’s great for parties, BBQs, and any get together, especially because there is no alcohol and it’s good for everyone. 😉
RECIPE NOTES:
- there is about 1 tbsp juice in a quarter lime.
- Use the syrup from the maraschino cherry jar instead of purchasing a bottle of syrup.
- What is sonic ice? Sonic ice also known as pebble ice, nugget ice and pellet ice. The ice is formed by scraping ice build up into flakes then packing those flakes into a mold. Each piece of ice is about 50% air which makes it easy to chew.
Make it a Slushy + How to Store
How to make it a slushy: You can easily use an ice cream maker with salt and ice to whip up a slushy. If you don’t have an ice cream maker you can use a couple of ziploc bags.
- Put the limeade in a quart size ziploc and seal completely.
- Place the quart bag into a gallon ziploc. Fill it with ice and rock salt. You will need 1tbsp salt for every 11 large ice cubes. Seal the gallon bag closed.
- Shake the bag for 5 minutes or until the punch turns to a slushy texture. Add more salt and ice as needed.
- Tip: the bag gets pretty cold so I suggest putting on gloves or mittens.
MAKE AHEAD OF TIME: This Cherry limeade is best when consumed quickly after mixing up, but can be made up to a day ahead of time and kept in the fridge
LEFTOVERS: Store leftover drink in the fridge for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be aware that the carbonation in the soda will diminish with storage.
More Drink Recipes
- Ocean Water
- Watermelon Juice
- Slushy Punch
- Favorite Lemonade Recipe
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda
Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can 7UP or Sprite
- 2 cherries
- 1/2 lime wedge
- Ice (we used Sonic’s ice
- 2 tbsp Maraschino Syrup
Instructions
- Place 2 cherries and ¼ lime in the bottom of your drink.
- Add ice and then your pop.
- Add 2 TB Maraschino Syrup and juice from ¼ lime.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you have a recipe for strawberry limeade??
This is my son’s favorite drink from Sonic. Can’t wait to make it for him when he gets home from vacation.
So good! This was a big hit at our gathering.
This is one of my favorites from Sonic. Thanks so much for sharing 😊
This sounds so refreshing, will try it soon, perfect for the hot weather we are having.
Perfect for summer!
Omg!! I had no idea. Sonic Cherry Limeade (extra lime) has been a favorite for decades. I recently moved out of close proximity, so happy I can start drinking them again. Thank you
Sonic drink! Love that you shared the recipe! One of my favorite summer beverages. Thank you!
Very refreshing!
This was a fabulous hit for our family party!
I have to try this. I’ve always wanted to try these but never went to a Sonic. Two of my favorite combinations. Next on my list.
I made this for my great-grandchildren and me one day when I kept them. They loved it. It tasted just like Sonic’s to me.
I love cherry limeade and until now, have not found a recipe I like. Will be making again!
My Favorite. Just have to remember to keep 7-UP or Sprite on hand and make sure hubby doesn’t get into my soda drinks
Thank You
Yummm, I love cherry limeade. Definitely making this. Thanks for all the great recipes. Love your site
I used to live on this drink in the summer. Since I no longer live near a Sonic, I am glad to know how to replicate it.
DELICIOUS!!!!!
I absolutely love Cherry Limeade. It is so cool and refreshing, and wonderful on s hot summers day. I’ve already saved this to Pinterest.
Gonna definitely try it 😊
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Soooo tasty!
Excellent recipe. I only substituted Sprite Zero. So yummy!!
So refreshing! I shall be making these often. Thank you.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the drink!
I just made this!! My Wife and I both LOVED this recipe. thanks
You’re welcome! So glad you both enjoyed it!
Our Sonic closed a few years ago so when I saw this recipe, I knew I needed to try it.
It’s my go to – but now I need an ice machine. 😄😄
due to covid summer activities have been super limited. One way we stay busy is trying out cool drinks. We love sonic and were going to try out your slushy tip!
A refreshing drink that requires very little. Taste like the real thing!
I am so excited to have this recipe..thank you! We love it! It’s so refreshing & perfect all summer!
Favorite happy hour drink at Sonic! This tastes just like it! So excited to make it all summer long!
I just made this!! My husband and I both LOVED this recipe. thanks
Isn’t it great?! Glad you both liked it!
Sonic ice is pebble ice, IT’s airy, they sell pebble ice machines on amazon
Sonic ice is the best!
Sounds yummy will definitely try this weekend
It is!! Hope you like it!
Thx I fixed the limeade for a wedding and they loved it lol
Yay!! It is always a hit 🙂 Thank you for making it & letting me know!
Hi l am sweet stuff
I love your copy cat sonic cherry lemonade
But I want to make a full punch bowl of this lemonade
So what all do I need
Sweet. Stuff
What is so special about Sonic’s ice? do they add something to their ice or is it just crushed differently?
It is crushed ice. I wish my fridge made it like that!! It’s the best!
what is Sonic Ice…is it regular ice just crushed in food processor/blender….or should I use the pop to make the ice and crush it…I am diabetic so I know I have to use diet pop….I love your recipes…please keep them coming…ty
Sonic ice is crushed ice. It just melts in your mouth and it’s small and I just love it. Diet soda will work just as good:) Thank you for trying recipes and keep coming back!
Sonic makes a diet cherry limeade here in Dallas!
I love going to Sonic and getting their Limeade it is yummy and I bet you will have lots of fun with your grandma the alligator park is fun
You can probably just use the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries
You can bet I’m going to make this, maybe grand daughters might like some also. I love Sonics but only get some on happy hour. I’d never been to a sonic either til we moved to Bowling Green, KY area. That was a special treat when we went into town, lived about 30 miles north of B.G. Then we moved to Grand Junction, CO area (live about 15 miles west of G.J. ) and love going to sonic there. Hobby Lobby, Walmart, $tree, other great stores close by. We really loved it when Sonic was having 50 cent corn dogs from 3 to 5. A nice inexpensive lunch for 2 old folks on SS. Wish they’d get corn dogs back for 50cents again. Do love me some cherry limeade tho. We have 2 sonics in town but only one by HL gives refills for free.
Happy summer days. Adorable little girl.
Thank you!! This recipe tastes just like the real thing! Let me know if you give it a try. If you like Sonic Cherry Limeade, you’ll love this!
Can’t wait,I work in the heat,I love to try these,
My favorite is the strawberry limeade. I also have them add vanilla. It is so stinkin good! It is strawberry season so I just mash a few fresh strawberries, ad a couple wedges of lime, a teaspoon of , and sprite! And my sonic also sells ice. Try it!
Sorry, a tsp of vanilla! 🙂
Where do you buy the maraschino syrup? Is it available at regular grocery stores or a more specialized store?
I used to work at sonic, a cherry limeade is only sprite, cherry juice (they use artificial syrup), and a few limes squeezed in. But I would think if you wanted a “true” cherry limeade, it would have to be sprite. Hah.
A little secret: adding a 1/2 tsp of lime syrup will take this beyond the shirley temple stage and get it even closer to that Sonic magic.
this looks so yummy – how did you get Sonic ice?
You can buy it by the bag at most Sonics, well at least where I live. 🙂
This recipe looks great! So refreshing and pretty too!
My kids can’t wait to try this Lily
My two girls love Sonic’s Cherry Limeade! Thanks for the great recipe. Can’t wait to make it for them. Enjoy your time with your grandma. Have fun at the alligator park 🙂