Drive-In Cherry Limeades (For Kids 21+) & Flag Day Americana

One thing that stops me in my tracks is the sight of an undulating flag gently rippling in the breeze. It’s simply mesmerizing…

Every year since June 14, 1777, our nation commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress adopted our American flag. Since today’s Flag Day, why not look at some places we can find the good ol’ red, white and blue waving!

In every corner of the U.S. of A., folks proudly fly Old Glory. From stern to stern on the USS Cassin Young in Boston Harbor and USS Lexington in Corpus Christi. Honoring brave Americans at the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in our nation’s capital. Or prominently displayed on Chicago’s Wrigley Building, outside furniture shops in Amana, Iowa, and in Buc-ee’s truck stop displays across Texas.

The Stars and Stripes is woven into art and displays almost everywhere we look.

Seeing the Stars and Stripes’ evolution from 13 stars in 1777 to the 50 today sure has a lot of history attached with it too.

The red-white-n-blue represents so much more. Thank you to the service men and women for your sacrifices made throughout the ages, and still to this day. The liberties we have like traveling from sea to shining sea are thanks to you!

As the world opens itself up again, families (including ours) are eagerly planning a much needed summer road trip. Any road warrior will unabashedly say snacks and food stops are essential to an amazing adventure. One of our favorite stops is to a Sonic Drive-In. Their chili cheese tots and cherry limeades are sublime! Last summer, while on quasi-lockdown, The Hubby concocted a delightful cocktail with this cherry limeade in mind.

The ingredients for this adult Cherry Limeade are pretty straightforward. In a shaker filled half-way with ice, combine sweet cherry juice and maraschino syrup with tart fresh lime and lime vodka. Shake away and pour into a pint glass. Top it with your favorite lemon-lime soda for a refreshing twist.

The Hubby has a couple of tips for this cocktail:

• In a pinch, substitute the syrup in a jar of maraschino cherries. You’ll have the same flavor as maraschino syrup. Maraschino syrup is just easier than draining jars of cherries. Amazon sells it here.
• Use cherry juice like the Juicy Juice brand found in the juice aisle. Tart cherry juice will only add to the pucker-factor fresh lime already adds.

But whether you’re hanging out at home or hitting the road, always remember to enjoy alcoholic libations responsibly and not while driving. Here’s to our great nation and the Stars and Stripes!

The Hubby’s other delicious drinks are here.

Cherry Limeade (Ages 21+)

Print Recipe

Like those drive-in cherry limeades, this adult version is a refreshing blend of sweet cherries and tart lime.  Enjoy responsibly! 

• Author: The Hubby
• Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x

Ingredients

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3 oz. lime vodka

2 oz. cherry juice

2 tbsp. maraschino cherry juice*

Juice from 1/2 fresh lime (about 1 tbsp.)

1 can lemon-lime soda, such as 7-Up

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Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice cubes.  Pour vodka and juices into shaker.  Cover and shake for about 30 seconds.  Strain into a pint-sized glass filled with ice.  Top drink with lemon-lime soda and stir.  Garnish with a lime wedge and a maraschino cherry.

Notes

*Use the juice from a jar of maraschino cherries.  Online stores such as Amazon sell bottles of maraschino cherry syrup, without the fruit.