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This Sparkling Tart Cherry Lemonade is sweet, tart, and a little fizzy. With just 3 ingredients, it’s an easy-to-make fruit juice drink and is the perfect refreshing summer sip!
Lemonade is a summer favorite around here and I’ve totally upped my lemonade game by adding tart cherry juice and sparkling water! It’s a little tart, a little sweet, a little fizzy, and a whole lot of fun to drink!
Keep your cool this summer with this Sparkling Tart Cherry Lemonade!
Ingredients you need
optional agave (not shown)
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Tart cherry juice ~ I use R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Tart Cherry® Juice. It’s perfect for mixing with other ingredients or drinking on all on their own.
Most store bought juices contain a lot of added sugar and I really appreciate R.W. Knudsen’s single fruit line of juices that are 100% fruit juice. They’re undiluted so you’re getting the maximum taste associated with each respective fruit – no juicer needed!
Organic Just Tart Cherry® Juice is:
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- All Natural Ingredients
- No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
- Unsweetened
For a different flavor profile, try this Starfruit Kiwi Refresher or this easy Shirley Temple Recipe.
This line of juices also has cranberry, blueberry, and pomegranate along with a few others. Feel free to experiment with this sparkling lemonade recipe by using different flavors.
Lemon juice ~ Fresh squeezed lemon juice is best for this cherry lemonade. A simple citrus squeezer works well, but you could use a juicer, if you prefer.
Sparkling water ~ I like to use a lime flavored sparkling water for a lemon-lime flavor in this drink. You could use lemon or cherry to enhance those flavors, as well.
Sweetener ~ Sweetener is optional. 1 to 2 tablespoons should be sufficient if you do use it. Agave works well and blends perfectly.
Granulated sugar can also be used. Just be sure to stir until the sugar is dissolved completely.
How to make the recipe
This refreshing Sparkling Tart Cherry Lemonade is incredibly easy to make.
First ~ Rub a small wedge of lime along the rim of the glasses to moisten (1). Pour a few tablespoons of granulated white sugar on a small plate and place the moistened rim of the glasses into the sugar (2). Twist the glass in the sugar until the rim is fully coated (3). This step is optional, but highly recommended.
Second ~ Mix the tart cherry juice, fresh lemon juice, lime sparkling water, and agave, if using.
Third ~ Pour the sparkling cherry lemonade into the glasses over ice.
Fourth ~ Top off with an extra splash of sparkling water or squeeze of fresh lime, if desired.
Fifth ~ Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Pro tips for success
~ Use R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Tart Cherry® Juice for cherry flavor that is single ingredient 100% juice.
~ Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for best and brightest flavor.
~ Sweetener is optional. I like really tart flavors and the sugar on the rim of the glass is generally enough sweetness for me. However, 1-2 tablespoons of sweetener does balance the flavors well and especially nice if you are not using the sugar on the rim of your glass. Adjust for your tastes.
~ Try variations of flavor like cranberry or pomegranate juice instead of cherry. Use lemon sparkling water instead of lime. Or fresh squeezed lime juice instead of lemon.
~ This sparkling cherry lemonade recipe could easily be scaled up for a crowd. Pour it into a large pitcher or punch bowl and float some lime and lemon slices for a beautiful presentation.
FAQs
There is about 2 to 3 tablespoons in an average size lemon. You’ll need between 4 to 6 lemons to make 1 cup of juice. This sparkling tart cherry lemonade recipe calls for just ½ cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, so you’ll need 2 to 4 lemons, depending on the size.
Homemade lemonade will last about 5 to 7 days in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Yes, you can freeze lemonade! The easiest way is to pour it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe zip-top plastic bag. It should freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Please note that this sparkling cherry lemonade will lose some of its fizziness after freezing, however, the tasty lemonade flavor will remain.
More easy summer drinks
- Easy Watermelon Juice (made in a blender!)
- Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Pineapple Coconut Smoothie (like a virgin piña colada!)
- Green Vegetable Juice (that actually taste good!)
- Green Blender Juice (no juicer needed!)
- Mint Matcha Smoothie
- Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Sparkling Tart Cherry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Tart Cherry® Juice
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup lime flavored sparkling water
- 1-2 tablespoon(s) agave or to taste (optional)
- ice
- sugar and lime wedges to garnish optional
Instructions
- If using the optional sugar garnish: Using a lime wedge, moisten the rim of two glasses. Sprinkle sugar onto a plate and dip the moistened rim of the glass into the sugar.
- Pour the tart cherry juice, lemon juice, lime sparkling water, and agave (if using) in a glass or jar. Mix well.
- Add ice to each glass. Pour half of the sparkling lemonade into each.
- Top off with another splash of sparkling water or a squeeze of fresh lime, if desired.
Notes
~Nutrition facts calculated for drink with 1 tablespoon of agave and no garnish.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Alicia Ogard says
This was amazing! I love your recipes!
Jenn Sebestyen says
Thank you so much, Alicia!
Linda from Veganosity says
This sounds amazing, Jenn! I love tart cherries. They’re a great anti-inflammatory, which is so good for my body after long runs. I’m definitely going to make this, and maybe put an adult ingredient in it. 😉
Jenn S. says
Haha, I wouldn’t blame you one bit for adding a little something extra! Hope you love it, Linda. Thanks!
Alisa Fleming says
What a refreshing beverage! I’ve been reading a lot about the benefits of tart cherry juice lately and need to give it a try.
Tisha says
This looks so refreshing….so perfect for these remaining hot days!
Jenn S. says
Totally. Thanks, Tisha!
Stephanie says
This looks so refreshing and the perfect beverage to cool off with. And I’m definitely a Target kinda girl but didn’t realize they carried that brand. Will have to look for it.
Jenn S. says
Target gets me every time. I swear I barely know what day it is when I leave there. It just sucks you in! In a good way. 🙂
Tra says
Oh my gosh it’s been a hot summer here in the Pacific NW, too! I could have used a few of these by the pool, too!! I LOVE the color!
Jenn S. says
The humidity is terrible. AC, swimming pools, and refreshing drinks are a must!
Katherine Hackworthy says
A cool refreshing drink is just what you need when the heat is on. Loving the colour of this pretty drink.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Katherine. It definitely helps take the edge of the heat!
Jacque Hastert says
What a great refreshing drink to sip on!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Jacque!
Dianne says
It’s been so hot here than I don’t even want to leave the house. This looks like just the thing to help cool me off!
Jenn S. says
I’m so tired of being super sweaty all the time! At least delicious summer drinks help take the edge off!