Cherry Limeade Spritzer Cocktail Recipe
I mix tart cherry juice, fresh limes, and sparkling water to make this drink bright and refreshing. The process needs only simple equipment and ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home.
Equipment
- A cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a tight lid is helpful for quickly mixing the liquids and ice.
- If I want to serve it to guests, I also use a strainer to remove any pulp, seeds, or ice chips before pouring the drink into glasses.
- A citrus juicer or hand squeezer makes extracting juice from fresh limes much quicker and cleaner.
- For presentation, I prefer highball or Collins glasses because they hold ice and show off the colorful drink.
Ingredients
The core ingredients I use are easy to find and well-balanced.
- I need cherry juice about 2 ounces, preferably 100% juice for a bold flavor.
- Fresh lime juice about 1 ounce adds sharpness and freshness. I pick ripe, juicy limes so each squeeze makes a difference.
- For sweetness I use simple syrup—usually about half an ounce, but I adjust to taste.
- My favorite base spirit is vodka 1 ½ ounces because it keeps the flavors clean, but white rum or gin also work well if I want a little twist.
- For fizz I pour in chilled sparkling water or club soda (about 4 ounces).
- I always put extra cherry and lime wedges aside for garnish which adds a fresh look and a little more aroma to each glass.
Instructions
- First, I fill a shaker or jar halfway with ice. I then pour in the cherry juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and vodka (or my choice of spirit).
- After adding all liquids except the sparkling water, I shake the mix for 10 seconds to chill it. Next, I strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
- I add the sparkling water last, pouring gently to keep the bubbles. If I want a stronger cherry flavor, I sometimes muddle a few fresh cherries in the glass before adding ice.
- Then, I stir gently to combine everything. I finish by garnishing with a lime wheel and a cherry.
Notes
I always adjust the sweetness to my liking. If it tastes tart, I add a little more simple syrup.
When I want a non-alcoholic option, I leave out the vodka and just add more soda. Using cocktail cherries instead of regular ones gives a rich color and sweeter flavor.
To prepare this for a group, I multiply the ingredients and mix in a large pitcher. I add ice and sparkling water right before serving so the drink doesn’t get flat.