We hear all the time that it’s not a good idea to drink a lot of fruit juice, because it’s high in sugar and doesn’t contain one of the most advantageous parts of the fruit – the fiber. And that’s absolutely true.
It’s also important to note that many drinks sold as “fruit juice” have a lot more ingredients in the container than just fruit juice…like artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and added sugar. YIKES!
And don’t even get me started on the “limeades” that are sold in gas stations, food courts and fast food restaurants! Trust me when I say that you DO NOT want to know what’s in them, because it will turn your stomach.
I’m happy to tell you there is a delicious sweet drink you can sip and enjoy with peace of mind, because it’s loaded with health benefits and contains the fiber of the fruit. And it’s SUPER easy to make!
All you need are organic cherries with the pits removed (I prefer using pitted frozen cherries), water and lime juice. And just in case the cherries don’t make the drink sweet enough for your liking, you’ll want to have some pure maple syrup on-hand in case you need to sweeten it up a bit.
These simple ingredients make a mouth-watering cherry limeade that hits the spot on a hot summer day, or any time you’re craving a sweet sip. And because it’s made with whole cherries and pure lime juice, both of which are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, this drink comes with a side of health benefits:
- Reduces inflammation in the body and helps with pain relief.
- Boosts immunity and helps clean up free radicals in the body that can lead to serious diseases like cancer.
- Aids in weight loss.
Plus, cherries contain natural melatonin that helps you sleep better. SCORE!!!
THE RECIPE
~ Makes 2 Cups / 16 Ounces ~
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of organic cherries, pitted (I prefer using frozen organic cherries.)
- 3/4 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of organic lime juice, fresh-squeezed or bottled (like this)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup for added sweetness
Preparation:
- Place the cherries, water and lime juice in a high-speed blender (I use a Blendtec) and blend until smooth.
- Taste the mixture and ONLY if it’s not sweet enough, add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup and blend again.
- Enjoy the cherry limeade straight up or over ice. (I like to serve mine in fun stemware like a wine glass.)
One of the things I love about this recipe is that it makes a small amount (just 2 cups / 16 ounces), so you won’t end up guzzling too much of it….because it’s THAT delicious and addictive.
I recommend enjoying just one cup of the cherry limeade at a time and saving the other cup for the next day, or sharing it with a friend or family member.
However, if you’re making a batch of this clean and refreshing cherry limeade for multiple people, simply multiply the ingredients to get the amount you need.
Cheers to enjoying a sweet and delicious drink with a side of health benefits!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
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