Canning Cherry Limeade Concentrate

Cherry limeade concentrate is a delicious homemade drink concentrate that will be ready at a moment’s notice when you have last-minute company (or, when you just need a tasty cool drink).  Cherries pair especially well with limes, and this makes a spectacular prepared cherry limeade.

While you can only eat so much jam each year, I find that I crave tasty drinks all the time.  I started by canning a lot of fruit juice from our backyard fruits, and then I added in home canned lemonade and canned limeade to the mix.

Lemonade and limeade were real game changers, and they allowed me to simply take a jar from the pantry and put it in my refrigerator before going out to work in the garden.  When I came in mid-afternoon, they were cold and ready for me.

Once you’re canning lemonade and limeade though, you realize that you can add in almost any high-acid fruit to the mix and change it up.  I started making strawberry lemonade concentrate each spring, and now I’m making cherry limeade concentrate each summer when fresh cherries come in season.

Ingredients for Cherry Limeade Concentrate

To make about 32 oz (2 pint jars) of limeade concentrate, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups lime juice
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups cherry puree (from pitted cherries)

This recipe will yield 2 pint jars (or 4 half-pint jars) of cherry limeade concentrate. Add 6 cups of cold water to one pint jar to make roughly 4 pints of cherry limeade. This recipe will produce a total of 32 oz of limeade concentrate or 8 pints (one gallon) of reconstituted cherry limeade.

Since I’m using cherry puree for more flavor, you have to put the cherries in this recipe.  If you really hate pitting cherries, you can also make cherry juice (in the same way you would if you’re making cherry jelly), and then use cherry juice in place of cherry puree.  The cherry flavor won’t be as strong, but it’s still delicious, and then you can skip pitting the cherries.

How to Make Cherry Limeade Concentrate

Begin by juicing your limes, straining to remove any pulp or seeds from the juice since pulp and seeds can turn your concentrate bitter. 

Next, pit the cherries. You don’t want any pits in your cherry puree! 

Puree the pitted cherries in a food processor or blender – if lacking both these, simply mash thoroughly and remove all clumps. You’ll want equal parts puree and lime juice. 

Mix the lime juice, cherry puree, and sugar in a large saucepan or pot. Heat gently to 190°F, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Do not boil.

Immediately fill prepared jars with the hot liquid, leaving ¼ inch headspace and seal with 2-part canning lids. If canning, process in a water bath canner for 15 to 30 minutes depending on elevation.

If below 1,000 feet in elevation, 15 minutes will be enough. Elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 will need 20 minutes, 25 minutes if between 3,000 and 6,000 feet and 30 minutes for elevations above 6,000 feet.

Cherry Limeade Concentrate Variations

You may wish to alter the amount of water used when reconstituting your cherry limeade concentrate depending on your personal tastes. 

Planning on adding a bunch of ice to a pitcher on a hot day? Use less water to compensate for the additional liquid that will result from the melting ice. Additionally, you may find you prefer the taste of a slightly stronger cherry limeade. 

On the other hand, if you plan on reconstituting with lemon-lime soda or sparkling cherry juice, feel free to use less concentrate, as these sparkling additions may be flavorful enough on their own.

Fruit Variations

The type of cherries used in making your cherry puree can produce different flavors in cherry limeade. Black cherries will produce a sweeter puree, while tarter cherries can produce a nice pucker. Experiment with different varieties to see which you prefer!

Similarly, the limes used for juicing will have different flavors depending on the variety chosen. Key limes are small, tart, slightly bitter and less acidic than normal limes and contain more seeds. Many find their juice to be more floral. Persian limes, the variety found most often in grocery stores, are larger, juicier, more tart and more acidic – and are often seedless. Either will work – the choice is yours! 

Regular Cherry Limeade

You can also use this recipe to make regular cherry limeade instead of concentrate. Simply add 6 cups of water for every 2 cups of lime juice. Just be aware, regular cherry limeade will take up more space than concentrate. So if your pantry’s fully packed, you might find it beneficial to make cherry limeade concentrate instead.

Canning Cherry Limeade Concentrate

You may wish to simply store your concentrate in the refrigerator if using it in the next few days. Additionally, it can be frozen for around 6 months – just be sure to use freezer safe jars and leave extra headspace (at least a full inch) for the liquid to expand when frozen.

This concentrate can also be canned for later usage. To do so, prepare your lids, jars, and waterbath canner before making your concentrate.

Once ready, pour the hot liquid into sterilized canning jars, sealing tightly with 2-part canning lids, and process in a water bath canner according to your elevation.

Process for 15 minutes if below 1,000 feet elevation; 20 minutes if between 1,000 and 3,000; 25 minutes if between 3,000 and 6,000; and 30 minutes for elevation above 6,000 feet.

Ways to Use Cherry Limeade Concentrate

Cherry limeade is the perfect beverage for balmy summer days or muggy evenings. Consider using lemon-lime soda or tonic water to reconstitute cherry limeade concentrate for a fizzy delight. 

This thirst-quenching beverage pairs wonderfully with hot weather and cold fruit or pasta salad. Be sure to keep a jar in stock for backyard gathering or garden parties.

Add fruit as a garnish or freeze in ice cubes to add an extra touch. Additionally, spike with a splash of vodka and grenadine for a refreshing cocktail. Still thirsty? Try a cherry limeade sangria or shandy. 

Perhaps you’re looking for something for everyone. Refresh you and your guests with cherry lime slushies made from frozen concentrate.

Feeling especially southern? Use cherry limeade concentrate to make cherry limeade sweet tea, a drink that is both refreshing and energizing.

Yield: Makes about 2 pints

Canning Cherry Limeade Concentrate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Cherry limeade concentrate is a delicious homemade drink concentrate that you can keep right on your pantry shelf for when you need it.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups lime juice
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups cherry puree (from pitted cherries)

Instructions

1. First, sterilize your jars and lids. Prepare a water bath canner if canning.
2. Juice your limes, straining to remove any seeds or pulp. You're going to need about 2 cups of fresh lime juice.
3. Next, create your cherry puree. Wash and pit your cherries, then puree in a blender or food processor. If pureeing by hand, be sure to remove all clumps.
4. Mix your strained lime juice, cherry puree, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat slowly to 190°F, stirring to dissolve sugar. Do not boil the mixture.
5. Remove from heat and ladle the concentrate into prepared jars leaving adequate headspace. Cap with 2-part canning lids and process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes to 30 minutes depending on elevation.
6. Carefully remove from the water bath canner and set on a towel to cool. Check seals after 12 to 24 hours. Unsealed jars should be allowed to cool to room temperature then moved to the refrigerator for immediate use.
7. To reconstitute, mix one pint jar with 6 cups (3 pints) of cold water.

Cherry Canning Recipes

Want a few more ways to put up cherries this year?  Try any of these cherry canning recipes:

• Canning Cherries
• Black Cherry Jam
• Cherry Jelly
• Canning Cherry Pie Filling

Lime Canning Recipes

Limes are just as tasty without cherries.  Try out these lime canning recipes:

• Lime Jelly (coming soon)
• Canning Limeade
• Lime Marmalade