Copycat Sonic Cherry Limeade with Nugget Ice

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Real-deal Sonic vibes: crisp, bubbly, and loaded with crunchy nugget ice.
• Bright lime tang balanced by sweet maraschino cherry syrup—never cloying.
• Just 5 minutes and no cooking required.
• Perfect for kids, cookouts, and easy to spike for adult sips.

Grocery List

• Produce: 2–3 fresh limes
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Maraschino cherries (with syrup), lemon–lime soda, bagged nugget or crushed ice (or ice cubes to crush)

Full Ingredients

For the Cherry Limeades (2 drinks)

• 4 cups nugget or crushed ice
• 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1/4 cup; from about 2 medium limes)
• 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup (from the cherry jar)
• 16 ounces lemon–lime soda, well chilled

Garnish

• 2 maraschino cherries
• 2 lime wedges or wheels

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill your gear

Pop two 16-ounce tall glasses and the lemon–lime soda into the fridge for at least 1 hour (or the freezer for 10 minutes) so everything is extra cold. Cold glassware keeps the nugget ice from melting too quickly.

Step 2: Prep the limes

Roll 2 limes on the counter with your palm to release juices. Halve them and juice until you have 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup). Slice another lime into wedges or wheels for garnish. Set aside.

Step 3: Syrup first

Add 1.5 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup to the bottom of each chilled glass. Starting with syrup in the base recreates the signature cherry streaks as you add ice and soda.

Step 4: Load up the nugget ice

Fill each glass to the top with 2 cups nugget or crushed ice, mounding slightly. Nugget ice’s soft, chewable texture is key to the Sonic feel.

Step 5: Build and bubble

Pour 2 tablespoons lime juice over the ice in each glass. Slowly top each with 8 ounces lemon–lime soda to preserve fizz. Let the foam settle for a second, then give a gentle stir from the bottom with a spoon or straw to marble the cherry syrup through the drink.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Finish with a maraschino cherry and a lime wedge or wheel on each glass. Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy the bright, bubbly cherry-lime balance while the ice is still crunchy.

Pro Tips

• Pellet ice hack: If you do not have nugget ice, pulse standard cubes in a blender or wrap them in a clean towel and tap with a mallet until pebble-like.
• Keep it cold: Chill the soda well; warmer soda loses carbonation fast and melts the ice.
• Layer don’t dump: Adding syrup first, then ice, then lime and soda preserves a pretty gradient and better flavor distribution.
• Sweetness control: For a sweeter drink, add up to 1 extra teaspoon cherry syrup per glass; for tarter, add 1 additional teaspoon lime juice.
• Glass shape matters: Tall, narrow highball glasses trap bubbles longer than wide tumblers.

Variations

• Diet/Light: Use diet lemon–lime soda or plain club soda; sweeten to taste with 1–2 teaspoons cherry syrup per glass.
• Adult Upgrade: Add 1 ounce chilled vodka, white rum, or tequila blanco to each glass before the soda.
• Cherry-Lime Slush: Blend 1 cup nugget ice with 4 ounces soda and 2 tablespoons lime juice until slushy; pour over 1 tablespoon cherry syrup in each glass and top with more soda.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Assembled cherry limeades are best enjoyed immediately to keep the fizz lively and the ice crunchy. You can juice limes and measure cherry syrup up to 3 days ahead; store in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Chill glasses and soda several hours in advance. Do not combine with soda until serving, or the carbonation will dissipate.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate: 190 calories; 0 g fat; 47 g carbohydrates; 45 g sugars; 0 g protein; 25–35 mg sodium; ~20 mg vitamin C. Values will vary with brand of soda and syrup.