Vegan Cherry Limeade with Fresh Mint
This drink is the kind of thing you make once and immediately want to serve at every summer gathering. A homemade cherry syrup — simmered until it turns a gorgeous deep ruby red — forms the backbone of the whole thing, layered over muddled fresh mint and bright, freshly squeezed lime juice. The sparkling water brings it all together with a satisfying fizz that makes it feel genuinely festive. Every single ingredient here is naturally plant-based, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — it's just clean, vibrant, whole-food goodness from start to finish. The muddling step is a small but meaningful touch that releases the mint's essential oils and makes each sip smell as good as it tastes. It comes together in well under an hour and serves four, making it an effortless crowd-pleaser for backyard hangs, brunches, or just a Tuesday afternoon when you deserve something a little special.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cherry syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- ½ cup water
For the limeade
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (from about 4–5 limes)
- 16 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice
For serving
- 4 lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cherries, organic cane sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cherries soften and release their juice, about 8–10 minutes. The syrup will turn a deep ruby red.
- 2
Pour the cherry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, pressing the solids firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
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