Name: Cherry Lime Slush
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 4 cups frozen dark sweet cherries; ½ cup fresh lime juice ((about 2 limes juiced)); 2 cups lime sparkling water; ¼ cup sugar ((optional))

Blend up this easy, no-sugar added Cherry Lime Slush for a refreshing summer drink!

The post was originally published 08/05/2015 and updated with new photos on 05/25/19.

The deep, rich color of cherries hints at the abundant nutrients inside. My sugar optional Cherry Lime Slush recipe is the perfect way to enjoy them!

Before I get into the recipe, I want to add a few tips on creating refreshing and healthy summer drinks. I like to call them slushies but slush pops in every now and then too.

How to make a healthy slushie

Use frozen fruit. Many recipes use fruit and ice. That’s fine but I say skip the extra step. Frozen fruit provides the same icy effect. Plus it’s less watery.
Use a high-powered blender. A good machine will easily puree cherry skins (for example) so that you get a smooth drink.
Add enough liquid. I like to use flavored sparkling water to add a bit of fizz and flavor to my slushies but you can also use club soda or fresh lime or lemon juice. Add more liquid for a thinner drink and less for a thicker, spoonable slushy!
Skip the sugar. You can in fact cut back on or skip the sugar in this recipe altogether. Start by tasting the fruit. If it’s super sweet, you won’t need any extra sweetener.

What’s the best fruit for a slushie?

Fresh seasonal fruit. Buying fruit in season means you’re likely getting sweeter, tastier fruit. So, buy up a bunch of fresh peaches, blueberries, grapes, or cherries this summer to use throughout the year.
Frozen fruit. I mention buying and freezing fresh summer fruit above but there’s no shame in walking to the freezer aisle at the store and buying what’s on sale. Frozen mango, pineapple, and strawberries are all delicious options!

Earlier this summer, I got a box full of cherries from the Northwest Cherry Growers. I was excited to dig in. After giving some to my neighbors, making cherry walnut muffins, cherry hand pies and eating fresh ones every chance I could, I still had a few bags left. I pitted and froze them because cherry season is way too short for my taste. Now, I have lots of frozen cherries to use in smoothies and more.

Now (when it’s 97 degrees outside) is the perfect time to sip and savor this Cherry Lime Slush!

Reminiscent of that icy, syrupy sweet concoction that spins at the local convenience store, I wanted it to taste like a Slurpee. Luckily, this recipe can be made in much less time than it takes to get to the store or that drive-up burger place which shall remain nameless.

OK. Sonic. I’ll admit. I’ve never had Sonic’s Cherry Limeade but I’ve always wanted to try it. Now, there’s no need. This one satisfies my craving for something sweet, healthy and refreshing!

I pitted and froze my cherries at the peak of the season and they are super sweet so I didn’t need any sugar. Using frozen cherries removes the need for ice too. If your cherries are super sweet, try the recipe first without the sugar. You may be pleasantly surprised by the flavor plus you get to drink more that way. It’s basically an easy way to drink your cherries… maybe while sitting on the deck with a book and wishing the summer will never end.

Easy, healthy slushies for the summer

Sparkling Watermelon Slushie

Frozen Mango Coconut Daiquiri

Cheers!

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Cherry Slush in a glass with a red and white straw

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