The Fan-Favorite Sonic Drink That's Shockingly Easy to Make at Home

In terms of a classic fast food experience, Sonic is iconic. The menu is extensive and includes the likes of Chili Cheese Coneys, a slew of cheeseburger combos, Sonic Blasts, Master Shakes and some of the best sides and appetizers. And let's not forget the tater tots, which even country music star Reba McEntire calls "absolutely wonderful."

In addition to the food, Sonic is serious about drinks. They have a deep and wide menu of Sonic Blasts, Sonic Rechargers, Flavorista Favorites, but we're partial to one of their older, classic beverages, Sonic’s Cherry Limeade.

Unofficially the internet's official beverage of the summer, Sonic’s Cherry Limeade has won over fans with its combo of sweet cherry syrup, citrusy lime juice and a punch of fizzy soda. It’s the perfect burst of nostalgia that reminds you of what it's like to be a kid outdoors on a hot summer day.

Because of its popularity, superfans have gone as far as to recreate Sonic’s Cherry Limeade recipe at home, which is ultimately what inspired us to explore down a similar path. There’s not enough time or gas money in the world to be making trips back and forth to Sonic, so we thought it’s about time to bring the Cherry Limeade recipe home where it belongs.

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Ingredients Needed To Make Sonic’s Cherry Limeade

While there are plenty of copycat recipes to choose from online, we like this take created by Jennifer of Inside The Kitchen , as well as the version that @momlifewithlaura whipped up. They both capture the familiar tart-lime flavor of Sonic’s Cherry Limeade while also being super easy to recreate at home. Jennifer uses store-bought frozen limeade concentrate, syrup straight from a jar of maraschino cherries and Sprite, all of which are easy to find at any grocery store.

Other recipes suggest using grenadine as an alternative for the cherry syrup, which works just as well. Jennifer points to the convenience of using a jar of maraschino cherries because you're using the cherries in the drink anyway so it serves as two ingredients in one. She also notes that any lemon-lime soda will do, however Sprite might be the most flavorful option in our opinion.

Related: The Absolute Best Way to Pit Cherries, According to a 5th Generation Cherry Grower

How To Make Sonic’s Cherry Limeade at Home

Whether you need a quick midday refresher or a whole pitcher to serve at the next barbecue, this Cherry Limeade recipe is guaranteed to hit the spot. To start, remove the frozen limeade from its packaging and transfer it to a pitcher. Add Sprite, the syrup from the jar of maraschino cherries and a sliced lime. Mix until well combined, then serve garnished with cherries and lime as desired. Double and triple the recipe as needed.

For extra bonus points, if you happen to be stopping by Sonic already, you can grab a bag of their iconic pebble ice to really make an authentic version of the drink. Sonic sells up to 10-pound bags from the drive-thru window for about $3.50 depending on location. And if you're really serious about your Sonic-inspired drinks, you could even invest in an ice cube maker of your own and have pebble ice on demand from the comfort of your kitchen.

Up next: Sonic Debuts ‘Innovative’ Summertime Drink Menu Developed by ‘Flavor Experts’