A Cherry Lime Rickey brings the perfect blend of tart and sweet flavors to any occasion. This alcohol-free version mixes fresh lime juice, cherry syrup, and sparkling water to create a refreshing mocktail.
The bright red color and fizzy bubbles make this drink eye-catching for parties, barbecues, and summer gatherings. Kids and adults alike enjoy this simple yet tasty beverage that offers a fun twist on plain sparkling water.
This recipe works great for hot summer days when a cold, fruity drink hits the spot. The combination of cherries and lime creates a drink that’s both sophisticated and fun to sip.
Cherry Lime Rickey Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Tall glass (12-16 oz)
- Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Bar spoon or long-handled spoon
- Ice cube tray
- Citrus juicer
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh lime juice about 1 medium lime
- 1 oz cherry syrup
- 4-6 oz club soda or sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cherries for garnish
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Fresh ingredients make a big difference in taste. Natural cherry syrup works better than artificial cherry flavoring.
Instructions
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the fresh lime juice and cherry syrup into the glass.
- Add club soda or sparkling water until the glass is nearly full.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry and lime wedge.
- The drink should have a light pink color when mixed properly.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
The Cherry Lime Rickey offers a bright, zesty flavor with a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes. The fresh lime juice creates a crisp, refreshing base while the cherry syrup adds a smooth sweetness.
Each sip starts with a burst of citrus from the lime, followed by the gentle sweetness of cherry. The carbonated water brings a light, fizzy texture that makes this drink extra refreshing.
The drink’s color ranges from light pink to deep rose, depending on the amount of cherry syrup used. A garnish of fresh lime wheel and maraschino cherry adds visual appeal and enhances the aroma.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Tart lime
- Sweet cherry
- Light fizz
- Clean finish
This mocktail tastes best when served ice-cold. The flavors blend well without any single taste being too strong or overwhelming. The drink stays fizzy for about 15-20 minutes after preparation.
The aftertaste is clean and slightly sweet, with lingering notes of cherry. Kids and adults alike enjoy this drink’s familiar flavor combination and fun fizzy texture.
Substitute
You can make changes to the Cherry Lime Rickey recipe based on what’s in your kitchen. Each swap keeps the drink’s fresh, zingy taste.
Replace lime juice with lemon juice in equal amounts. The drink will be a bit less tart but still refreshing.
Fresh cherries work instead of cherry juice. Muddle 4-5 pitted cherries for each serving. Then, add an extra splash of club soda to make up for the lost liquid.
Club soda substitutes:
- Sparkling water
- Seltzer water
- Tonic water (adds sweetness)
- Ginger ale (makes it sweeter)
Skip the simple syrup and use these sweeteners:
- Agave nectar (¾ the amount)
- Honey (¾ the amount)
- Maple syrup (1:1 ratio)
For a different twist, try black cherry juice or tart cherry juice instead of sweet cherry juice. These add more complex flavors to the drink.
Mix in a few drops of almond extract to boost the cherry taste when using less cherry juice or fresh cherries.
