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Bright red cherry limeade slush in a frosted glass topped with a maraschino cherry, lime slice, and fresh mint on a rustic wooden table.
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Cherry Limeade Slush

This Cherry Limeade Slush is thick, icy, refreshing, and packed with bold cherry-lime flavor. Frozen dark cherries, tart cherry juice, fresh lime juice, and a splash of fizzy lemon-lime soda create the perfect homemade frozen summer drink with a smooth slushie texture that tastes even better than a drive-in favorite.
Perfect for hot summer days, parties, BBQs, pool days, or whenever you want a bright and refreshing frozen drink.
Course Beverages, Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword cherry lime drink recipe, cherry lime slushie, cherry limeade slush, easy slushie recipe, frozen cherry limeade, frozen mocktail recipe, homemade slush recipe, refreshing frozen beverage, sonic inspired cherry limeade, summer frozen drinks
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 145kcal
Cost $7 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • High-speed blender
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • citrus juicer
  • microplane or zester
  • Serving glasses
  • Straw (optional)

Ingredients

Slush Base

  • 4 cups pebble ice or crushed ice
  • 2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries
  • 1/2 cup tart cherry juice very cold
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup
  • 1 tablespoon simple syrup optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
  • Tiny pinch fine salt
  • 1/4 cup chilled lemon-lime soda

Garnishes

  • Maraschino cherries
  • Lime wheels
  • Fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Blend the Slush Base

  • Add the crushed ice, frozen cherries, tart cherry juice, fresh lime juice, maraschino cherry syrup, optional simple syrup, lime zest, and salt to a high-speed blender.

Blend Until Smooth

  • Blend until thick, icy, and smooth.
  • The texture should resemble a classic frozen slushie that is thick but still drinkable through a straw.
  • If needed, add an extra tablespoon of tart cherry juice at a time to help blending.

Add the Soda

  • Pour in the chilled lemon-lime soda and pulse once or twice briefly just until combined.
  • Do not overblend after adding the soda.

Serve

  • Pour into chilled serving glasses.
  • Garnish with maraschino cherries, lime wheels, and fresh mint if desired.
  • Serve immediately while thick and frosty.

Notes

  • Pebble ice or crushed ice creates the smoothest Cherry Limeade Slush texture and blends much more easily than large ice cubes.
  • Frozen dark sweet cherries naturally thicken the slush while adding bold cherry flavor without needing artificial mixes.
  • Tart cherry juice gives the drink a deeper, more balanced flavor and keeps the slush from tasting overly sugary.
  • Fresh lime juice is highly recommended for the brightest citrus flavor and the best sweet-tart balance.
  • Maraschino cherry syrup adds the classic soda-shop cherry limeade taste that makes this frozen drink extra nostalgic and flavorful.
  • Keep all ingredients very cold before blending so the slush stays thick and icy longer.
  • For a sweeter drive-in style Cherry Limeade Slush, add 1 tablespoon grenadine or extra cherry syrup.
  • This homemade slushie is best served immediately after blending for the thickest frozen texture.
  • Easily turn this frozen cherry limeade into an adult cocktail by adding vodka, tequila, or coconut rum.
  • For an extra refreshing presentation, serve in chilled glasses with lime wheels, maraschino cherries, and fresh mint.