New York is cool. I mean, NYC is really cool (obviously!) but NY in general is cool. I live in Western NY and we love it here. It’s temporary until my husband finishes dental school but for now, we love it. One thing Western NY is seriously lacking is some decent fast food. I mean there is Burger King, Wendys, McDonalds, what have you; but I miss Arizona’s fast food options terribly. That sounds bad, but I do. 😉
Sonic is one of my favorites. Their food is okay but their drinks and treats are bomb. Nothing like an ice cold, happy hour, half priced Sonic beverage. This is kind of ridiculous how seriously bad I miss Sonic drinks (especially in the summer!), but it’s true. What’s a girl to do?
Well, I’m a DIY girl and I decided to take matters into my own hands. Instead of driving 2-3 hours to the nearest Sonic, I scoured the internet for a copycat and tweaked it until it was perfect. In my most humble opinion, I nailed it.
The Sonic Cherry Limeade copycat recipe is born. Oh, it’s the easiest thing ever. You’re welcome.
Recipe
- 1 2 liter of Sprite (or Diet Sprite if you want!)
- 1 12 oz frozen limeade from concentrate – I used Minute Maid. Not sure if the brand choice would change the taste but Minute Maid was perfect.
- 1 small jar of maraschino cherries
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine Sprite, frozen limeade and the entire jar of maraschino cherries (including the syrup).
- Mix slowly so your Sprite doesn’t go flat.
- Pour over ice and add a wedge of lime (optional but awesome)
- Enjoy!
This drink is perfection. You will love it.
Looking for more Sonic Copycat Recipes? Try this amazing Sonic Ocean Water Copycat Recipe!
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- 2 Liter Sprite
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- Mraschino Cherries
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- 8oz Mason Jar
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- 16oz Mason Jar
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29 Comments
Liz
January 1, 2014 at 9:41 amThis made my day! I LOVE Sonic Cherry Limeades, but have not had one since I lived in TX. Been in NY for 3 years now and I CRAVE these so often! Going to get supplies today. 🙂 Cheers!
nicole
July 8, 2014 at 11:44 pmI use to work at Sonic Drive in when I a teen. Just thought I would share how they make them at Sonic Drive In . To make one of these drinks we would use spirte for the base. Then one fresh squeezed lime in the small drink size with one pump of cherry syrup ( you can buy the syrup on amazon or at walmart) and a cherry to it off. For every size cup up you would add one more lime and one more pump of cherry syrup. The syrup brand at walmart or Amazon is Torani Syrup, Cherry. =)
Alexandra
August 14, 2014 at 9:58 pmGrenadine works well too. In fact it is basically the same thing as Cherry syrup. Used to make a Shirley Temple and other various drinks. I often make cherry lemonade or cherry limeade ( adding in Lime Coridal which is amazing). Never have I mixed with Sprite, I will definitely try this as I love Sonic too! But I’m in Canada and sadly there is no Sonic here, or in any neighbouring states.
Mallory, you are right about using Minute Maid, do not use generic store brand concentrate. Its just not the same lol. I love the sounds of these Sonic recipes and I will be buying the ingredients tomorrow!! 🙂
Stephanie
January 1, 2014 at 10:45 amYum, I LOVE Sonic’s cherry limeade! I really need to make this, it would save me a ton of trip to Sonic (and some money too!)
Tab
January 1, 2014 at 6:21 pmThe way a Sonic cherry lime aid is made is as follows. (Route 44 size) Sprite, two squirts of cherry syrup, a squeeze of one wedge of lime and crushed ice. Cherries and lime wedge in the bottom. Save on the concentrate. 🙂
Mallory & Savannah
January 1, 2014 at 11:27 pmThanks for sharing an alternative recipe!
Jenna
January 1, 2014 at 5:56 pmI am so excited I found this recipe. This is my moms all time favorite drink. She is visiting next month and I am going to make it for her. She will be quite excited.
I know what you mean about missing fast food restaurants. I still dream about chic-fil-a milkshakes 😉 happy new year!
Shannon
January 3, 2014 at 11:13 amThis will make my husband and children very happy! Thanks for sharing.
Daniela Walsh
January 3, 2014 at 2:00 pmI am addicted to Sonic Limeades! Thanks for the recipe.
Would love to have you link up at Link’n Blogs with this post, too!
http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2014/01/linkn-blogs-link-party-6.html
xo
Daniela
Put A Bird On It
Sherri @ MadeFromPinterest
January 3, 2014 at 7:58 pmI have good memories of Sonic too! You have made me feel nostalgic! I love pink drinks, they just make me feel like it is a party. This will be great for kiddos and adults for the Super Bowl! Our readers will love this idea.
We would love to have you join us at our weekly Super Saturday Link Party. It goes live tonight at 7 MST at http://www.madefrompinterest.net. It would be our honor to have you share your great work with us!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
January 9, 2014 at 3:33 pmThanks for posting this at the Saturday Night Fever link party. Hope to see you back on Saturday!
Jamielyn Nye
January 9, 2014 at 10:28 pmLove this!! I miss AZ food too!
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Jelli
March 15, 2014 at 3:47 pmMallorie, this looks so tasty. Lovin’ your blog, especially that fun-loving profile pic. Found your site from Super Saturday and so excited to take a look around. Pinning this recipe.
Karly Gomez
April 16, 2014 at 2:08 amYum, Mallory! I love a good Sonic hack, that way I can stay home and enjoy my drink without having to brave the AZ heat, ha ha ha! I’d love to have you link this up with me for the Create & Share DIY and Recipe Party, this would make an awesome addition!
-Karly
Lakisha
April 19, 2014 at 9:30 pmOmg…. I can not wait to try this recipe. This is one of my favorite drinks! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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May 14, 2014 at 12:00 pm[…] it over some ice and you’ve got yourself the best dang drink ever. A close competitor with Sonic’s Cherry Limeade which you can also make at home with my recipe, […]
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen
June 27, 2014 at 2:39 amOh my word, I feel like I could hug you!!! We have been stationed in Hawaii for the past year and a half, and my husband and I talk all the time about how much we miss Sonic limeades since there is no Sonic here! I’m going to make these this weekend and surprise him. THANK YOU!!! 🙂
Kait
July 3, 2014 at 8:41 pmI’m having a cook-out this weekend and wanted a fun drink so I decided to give this a test run today… YUM! I’m glad I have a pitcher to myself that I don’t need to share 😛 Thank you for sharing this!
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Carly
January 1, 2015 at 2:27 pmThanks so much for this! You did nail it!! I made it last night for our NYE party and it was a HUGE hit! Tastes just as good as Sonic’s to me! 🙂
Lynne Thomas
April 11, 2015 at 8:51 pmHi I am a big fan of the cranberry Limeaide does anyone have that recipe? Would be so happy to receive that recipe.. For 4 years when coming home from Boston after a day of chemo and radiation for my son we would stop into sonic and get route 44’s. Sam died August 2,2014. So needless to say I have not had one since then and I am craving that beverage. Really hope someone out there has the recipe. Thanks for helping!!!!!!
Bridgett
June 26, 2015 at 12:42 pmBack in high school (in the 80s), before Sonic “trademarked” the Cherry Limeade, we would order a Cherry, Vanilla, Lime Sprite. The Cherry Limeade they serve now didn’t taste the same until I asked them to add a shot of Vanilla to it. Now they taste the same as the ones we used to order back in “The Day”!!
Dianna
May 2, 2016 at 7:27 pmHello.
Thanks for the recipe. I was just wondering how you might cut this down to single servings? Like possibly using a can of sprite instead of a 2 liter, but then how much of the lime aid concentrate and how much cherry syrup?
Thank you,
Dianna
Jennifer
July 26, 2019 at 7:53 pmOMG. My heart is a flutter! I moved from Oklahoma to Marin County, California and these people do not comprehend Sonic or the limeade! I’m living in a fast food desert over here! Sure I want to be healthy, but please don’t take my limeade away!
I’ve pined for SIX PAINFUL YEARS for limeade! I am running right to the store to buy the supplies IMMEDIATELY.
Crushed ice though. I MUST find crushed ice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I never thought about making it myself! I was just sad. Sad. Sad for no limeade.
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