I have fond memories of late night trips to Sonic for cherry limeades and tater tots with my grandma. If my grandpa decided to tag along we would buy hotdogs to share. My grandma loves sugary treats and a cherry limeade was no exception.

A few weeks ago I decided I would got to Sonic and order this childhood drink. To my disappointment, I did not have the same satisfaction I remember as a kid. All I kept thinking was that I tasted no cherry flavor. The artificial syrup was not cutting it. Living in Linden, I know what a REAL cherry tastes like and that cherry limeade was not it.

In an effort to relieve my childhood memories, I created a recipe for cherry limeade syrup that utilizes fresh sweet cherries. First, I puree the pitted fruit in a blender or food processor until it completely breaks down. This helps to release all of the juices within the flesh of the fruit.

I combine the juice with lime and sugar to boost the flavor. Cooking the mixture over heat allows the sugar granules to dissolve and cooks the mixture until slightly thick.

To use the syrup, combine one part syrup with two parts of chilled club soda. You can garnish with the traditional maraschino cherry and fresh lime wedge.

Cherry Limeade Soda

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 cup sugar

6 cups seltzer or club soda

Directions:

1. Puree cherries and lime juice in a blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sugar stirring to combine. Bring the mixture up to a simmer allowing the sugar to dissolve. Remove from heat.

2. Allow cherry syrup to cool down completely before preparing the sodas.

3. To serve, mix 1/4 cup cherry syrup with 1 cup of cold seltzer or club soda.

Serves 6-7