Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe

Skip the drive-thru and make Sonic cherry limeade at home. This easy copycat recipe has the perfect balance of tart lime, sweet cherry, and fizzy finish.

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Best Copycat Sonic Cherry Limeade

We love to sip on refreshing drinks, and this copycat recipe for Sonic cherry limeade is a special treat that tastes just like the real deal. It’s a crisp, refreshing drink with a sweet-tart balance from maraschino cherries and lemon lime soda that’s downright irresistible.

If you love the sodas and slushies from Sonic, this easy copycat recipe is simple to make with just a few ingredients. For more classic drive-in drinks, you’ll also want to try this homemade lemonade or root beer float.

Ingredients Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Lemon-lime soda: I used Sprite but 7Up or your favorite brand works, too. You can even use Diet soda if that is your preference.
• Lime wedges: You will need both the juice from the fresh lime wedge and then it doubles as a garnish, too.
• Maraschino cherries: You will need a maraschino cherry for garnish as well as the maraschino syrup from the jar. Grenadine syrup or cherry syrup can be used.
• Sonic ice: Also known as pebble ice, pellet ice or nugget ice. Sonic sells this by the bag and while any ice can be used.

How to Make Sonic Cherry Limeade

Add ice and 1 cup of 7up or Sprite to each glass. Alternately, if serving a crowd add ingredients to a large pitcher.

Pour in maraschino syrup to each glass then squeeze the lime juice from one lime wedge into each cup. Garnish cups with a maraschino cherry and lime wedge.

Recipe Tips

• Sparkling cherry limeade: Use half club soda and half lemon-lime soda in each drink. This is my preference if I want to serve my kids a less sugary drink.
• Cherry juice. Cherry juice is not the same as cherry syrup. While you will get real cherry flavor, it is not sweet enough like a syrup and will not taste like Sonic.
• Make a slushy: Add all limeade ingredients with ice to a high powered blender. Blend a few minutes until desired consistency is reached.
• Use Sonic ice: Grab a bag or two the next time you’re at Sonic. It will keep for a week or two in your freezer and it really makes this copycat recipe stand out.
• Sonic cherry limeade is best served immediately after making it but you can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for one day. The carbonation will lessen the longer it is in storage.