Cherry-Lime Rickey

There is a well-known Mark Twain quote about the mercurial nature of New England weather: “If you don’t like the weather in New England…wait a few minutes”. This year, I think you could easily extrapolate it to our change of seasons. After a particularly brutal (and ridiculously snowy) winter, followed by a short, blustery, non-spring, we woke up one morning and…KABLAM! Summer had arrived! Flower blossoms bursting, heat, humidity; the change was so fast, there was barely a day between woolen sweaters and summer shorts, never mind daydreams of this Cherry Lime Rickey! 

The upcoming summertime heat calls for lots of cool treats. Generally speaking, we are a popsicle-and-chilled-watermelon sort of family, but on really hot days, I start to crave a drink of my childhood. During the hottest part of the summer, my Mum would take my siblings and me on walks to the nearest Brigham’s Ice Cream Parlor (a Boston staple) to beat the heat with hot fudge sundaes (whipped cream for the kids, and marshmallow for her) and raspberry lime rickeys from the soda fountain. Stealing sweetly tart sips between bites of fudge, those sticky afternoons have stayed with me.  

Now that cherry season is in full swing, I thought a variation of that classic drink recipe would be just as refreshing as the original. Sweet cherries & homemade cherry syrup are stirred together with bright lime juice and club soda. Easy, simple, and a pretty non-alcoholic drink recipe, it’s perfect for sipping on the porch while enjoying a sunny day.  

Pssst… if you do want to make it a little more ‘refreshing’, adding 1 ounce of Hendrick’s Gin to 8 ounces of my Cherry-Lime Rickey is divine!    

Cherry-Lime Rickey Mocktail Recipe

makes two 8 ounce drinks (or one very large 16 ounce drink! Mmmm!)    

 6 fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and roughly chopped

2 ounces fresh lime juice

2 ounces cherry infused simple syrup *see below*

chilled club soda

ice  

In a cocktail shaker or large glass, muddle together the fresh cherries and lime juice.  

Next, fill 2 good sized tumbler glasses (or one very large glass, if a single serving) with ice, and place a small sieve on top.   Strain the lime & cherry mix into the glass, and discard the cherry remnants. (We tried keeping them, but they always plug up the straw, and make drinking a challenge.)  

Now, add the cherry simple syrup and top with the club soda.  

Stir gently, and garnish with a lime round or a cherry.  

This drink benefits from resting for a few minutes before enjoying.    

Cherry Infused Simple Syrup  

1 cup of granulated white sugar

1 cup of water

1/2 cup fresh or frozen fresh cherries, pitted      

Combine all of the ingredients into a medium saucepan and give it a quick stir.  

Place over medium-high heat and allow to come to a low (small bubbles) simmer, while stirring occasionally.   Once at a simmer, cook for 8-10 minutes, until all the sugar has dissolved and the cherries have softened.   Remove from the heat and let stand five minutes.   Next, smash the cherries in the pan with a potato masher and then strain over a sieve set over a medium sized bowl.  

Allow to cool completely. Transfer to a covered container (I like using an old jam jar) and chill.  

Keeps for 7-10 days.      

Print Recipe

Alcohol Free Cherry-Lime Rickey

The perfect cocktail or zero-proof drink, this Cherry Lime Rickey recipe will be sure to quench your thirst with the perfect blend of sweet and tart! A homemade cherry simple syrup does the trick! Served over ice and garnished with a lime, this is a terrific alcohol free drink recipe for parties and casual gatherings!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time2 minutes mins

Total Time12 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 6 fresh or frozen cherries pitted and roughly chopped
• 2 ounces fresh lime juice
• 2 ounces cherry infused simple syrup *see below*
• chilled club soda
• ice

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker or large glass, muddle together the fresh cherries and lime juice.
• Next, fill 2 good sized tumbler glasses (or one very large glass, if a single serving) with ice, and place a small sieve on top.
• Strain the lime & cherry mix into the glass, and discard the cherry remnants. (We tried keeping them, but they always plug up the straw, and make drinking a challenge.)
• Now, add the cherry simple syrup and top with the club soda.
• Stir gently, and garnish with a lime round or a cherry.
• This drink benefits from resting for a few minutes before enjoying.

Notes

• Fresh or frozen cherries work great for this recipe!
• Fresh lime juice is best! 
• If you do want to add a little kick to your drink, 1 ounce of floral gin or smooth vodka, can turn this cocktail into an adult beverage.

Print Recipe

Cherry Infused Simple Syrup

Course: Drinks

Servings: 8 ounces

Ingredients

• 1 cup of granulated white sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cherries pitted

Instructions

• Combine all of the ingredients into a medium saucepan and give it a quick stir.
• Place over medium-high heat and allow to come to a low (small bubbles) simmer, while stirring occasionally.
• Once at a simmer, cook for 8-10 minutes, until all the sugar has dissolved and the cherries have softened.
• Remove from the heat and let stand five minutes.
• Next, smash the cherries in the pan with a potato masher and then strain over a sieve set over a medium sized bowl.
• Allow to cool completely. Transfer to a covered container (I like using an old jam jar) and chill.
• Keeps for 7-10 days.