This frozen cherry lemonade blends bright, summery flavors into a refreshing warm-weather drink—perfect for barbecues or lazy afternoons.
Recipe and original inspiration: Tina, Just Putzing Around the Kitchen
The idea for this drink came from combining two favorites: a cherry lemonade and a frosty frozen lemonade. The result is a vivid, tart-sweet beverage with a lovely cherry note and an icy, slushy texture that’s extremely drinkable on hot days.
Why this Frozen Cherry Lemonade works
Cherry lemonade is naturally delicious, and turning it into a frozen drink makes it even better. For a stronger cherry flavor, use more cherries or freeze them beforehand so you can use less ice and keep the texture smooth without watering down the drink. You can also substitute a mint- or basil-infused simple syrup for an herbal twist.
Optional: add alcohol
This recipe works beautifully as a non-alcoholic refresher, but it also adapts well to spirits. A splash of tequila or vodka turns it into a light, summery cocktail—add alcohol to taste when serving.
Other flavor ideas
- Try a cucumber-lime variation for a cooling, crisp profile.
- Swap in tropical fruit purees for a mango-pineapple frozen lemonade.
- Add orange zest or a touch of orange syrup for a citrus twist.
- Fresh herbs such as basil or mint complement the cherries and lemon beautifully.
Recipe: Frozen Cherry Lemonade
This simple blended drink highlights fresh cherries and bright lemon juice, balanced with a sweet simple syrup. It comes together quickly and serves a crowd.
Frozen Cherry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2–3 cups fresh cherries, pits removed
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup simple syrup (½ cup sugar + 1 cup water, simmered until clear)
- 6–8 cups ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and reaches the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Chocolate Cherry Prune Bombs
For a dessert pairing, try rich chocolate-prune-cherry confections. A cherry brandy or cherry-syrup filling complements the bright lemonade when you want something indulgent alongside your drink.
Cherries Jubilee inspiration
Classic cherry jubilee recipes often warm the cherries slightly and flambé them for a dramatic finish. If you prefer softer cherries in a dessert, let them simmer briefly so they become tender and syrupy.