Tired of plain old lemonade? This Cherry Lemonade is the fruity, vibrant twist your summer sips have been waiting for—sweet, tangy, and bursting with fresh flavor in every glass!

Refreshing cherry lemonade recipe with fresh cherries and lemon juice – perfect for summer parties and hot days.

This Cherry Lemonade is my go-to when I’m craving something crisp, fruity, and oh-so-refreshing. It’s the perfect summer drink—bright, bold, and bursting with real cherry flavor.

The juicy cherries blend perfectly with tangy lemons for a beautifully balanced drink that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make—just simmer, squeeze, strain, and stir. That’s it!

Want to make the best Cherry Lemonade? I’ve got all the tips to help you get that vibrant, fresh flavor every time. And let’s not forget the fresh cherry and lemon slice garnishes—they turn a simple drink into a stunning summer sip.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet, tart, and totally refreshing!
Perfect for BBQs, picnics, and poolside lounging.
Fun to make with kids (they’ll love squeezing the lemons!).

Ingredients Needed

You only need a few fresh and simple ingredients to make this refreshing Cherry Lemonade! Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need. Scroll to the recipe card below for full measurements and instructions.

Fresh Cherries – Use about 1 pound of ripe, sweet cherries. They bring a beautiful color and natural fruity flavor to the lemonade. You can use fresh or frozen (just thaw first).
White Granulated Sugar – Divided in the recipe to sweeten both the cherry syrup and the final lemonade. Feel free to adjust the amount to taste.
Water – You’ll use a total of 7 cups: 2 cups for making the cherry syrup and 5 cups for mixing into the final drink. Cold, filtered water works best.
Fresh Lemon Juice – For the tart, citrusy base that balances the sweetness of the cherries. Be sure to strain out any seeds or pulp for a smooth finish.

How to Make Cherry Lemonade

This refreshing Cherry Lemonade is incredibly easy to make—simply simmer, strain, and stir! You’ll only need a saucepan, a strainer, and a pitcher. The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

Prep the cherry syrup. In a saucepan, combine fresh cherries, 1 cup of the sugar, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to help the sugar dissolve and the cherries break down. Once boiled, remove from the heat and let cool.

Juice the lemons. While the cherry mixture cools, juice your lemons until you have 1½ cups of juice. Strain to remove seeds and pulp.
Assemble the lemonade. Strain the cooled cherry syrup into a large pitcher. Add the lemon juice, the remaining ¼ cup sugar, and the final 5 cups of water. Stir for about a minute until everything is well blended.

Serve and enjoy. Add fresh lemon slices and whole cherries to the pitcher. Pour over ice-filled glasses and sip away!

Tips for Success

Use ripe, juicy cherries for the best flavor—dark sweet cherries are ideal.
Strain thoroughly to keep the lemonade smooth and seed-free.
Adjust sweetness to taste—feel free to add more sugar or dilute with extra water if needed.
Add sparkle! Try using sparkling water for a fizzy twist.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Cherry Lemonade at backyard BBQs, during summer birthday parties, take it with you on a picnic, or just on a hot afternoon on the porch! Add a cute paper straw or a mini umbrella for extra flair. You can even freeze some into popsicle molds for a frosty version of this drink!

How to Store

Fridge: Store in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
Freezer: Freeze in ice cube trays for fruity drink cubes, or as popsicles for a frozen treat.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the cherry syrup and lemon juice a day in advance, then mix just before serving.

Can I use bottled lemon juice? Fresh is best for bright, tart flavor, but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can work.

Does this have alcohol? Nope, it’s alcohol-free—but you can spike it if desired!

And that’s it! This Cherry Lemonade is the no-stress summer drink that looks impressive but comes together so easily. Whether you’re making it for a pool party, picnic, or just a sunny weekend treat, it’s sure to be a hit!

More Tasty Lemonades

Blackberry Lemonade

Cherry Lemonade

This Cherry Lemonade is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, made with fresh cherries and real lemon juice. It’s a refreshing summer drink that’s easy to make and bursting with fruity flavor—perfect for BBQs, pool days, or anytime you need a cool treat!

5 Cups

Print Pin

Ingredients

1 lb fresh cherries
1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar divided
7 cups water divided
1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice from about 6–8 lemons

Optional Garnishes:

Fresh cherries
Lemon slices
Ice

Instructions

In a saucepan, combine the cherries, 1 cup of sugar, and 2 cups of water.
Stir and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Meanwhile, juice the lemons and strain out the seeds and pulp.
Once the cherry mixture is cooled, strain it into a large pitcher to remove the solids.
Add the fresh lemon juice, remaining ¼ cup of sugar, and the remaining 5 cups of water to the pitcher.
Stir well for about 1 minute, or until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Add fresh cherries and lemon slices to the pitcher for garnish.
Serve over ice and enjoy!