Nearest Cherry Lemonade Recipe

Make simple syrup (if needed)

Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan (for the quantity above: 0.5 cups sugar + 0.5 cups water). Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Juice fresh lemons until you have 0.75 cups of lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds and pulp if a smoother drink is desired.

In a pitcher, combine 0.75 cups fresh lemon juice, 0.5 cups cooled simple syrup, and 0.25 cups maraschino cherry syrup (or cherry concentrate). Stir to blend the flavors.

Add 2 cups cold water to the pitcher and stir well. Taste and adjust: add more water if too tart, more simple syrup if too sour, or more cherry syrup for a stronger cherry note.

Add 3 cups of ice to the pitcher to chill quickly, or refrigerate the lemonade until cold. The house cherry lemonade can be made ahead and kept refrigerated up to 3 days.

Fill a tall glass with ice (about 1 cup). Pour 4 ounces (0.5 cup) of the prepared cherry lemonade over the ice.

If making alcoholic, add 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) vodka to the glass and stir gently to combine.

Top with 2 ounces (0.5 cup) club soda if you prefer a fizzy finish; gently stir once to integrate.

Garnish with one lemon wheel on the rim and two maraschino cherries on a skewer or dropped into the glass. Repeat for each serving.

Serve immediately with a straw. If serving multiple guests, scale the house cherry lemonade proportionally: every 4 servings requires the full pitcher quantities listed above.