Cherry Limeade

1 c. water

1 c. sugar

1 c. fresh queezed lime juice*

1 c. cherries, pitted and halved

3/4 c. water

1/4 c. sugar

6 c. ice water

7-up, optional

Add 1 c. water and 1 c. sugar to pan, heating over medium heat, to make simple syrup. (This is the key to great taste!) Stir occasionally. Only heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir in lime juice and set aside. Place cherries and 3/4 c. water to another pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil at least 7-10 minutes. You want as much cherry flavor in the syrup as you can. The cherries should be good and soft, and the water a nice red color. Strain the cherries through a fine mesh strainer, pressing the cherries through. You want as much of the cherry flavor to go through as possible. Return the syrup to the pan and add 1/4 c. sugar. Mix and turn heat to medium. You are reducing the syrup. Cook, stirring occasionally for 7-10 minutes. The syrup will reduce down. If you continue to cook, it will thicken as well. It is not needed, but is delicious as well. Set aside and allow to cool slightly. This can be made 3 days in advance, just store covered in refrigerator. 

Now it's time to assemble the limeade. Place ice water in first. Add lime simple syrup. Add cherry reduction. For a 2 c. Mason jar, use 1 1/4 c. ice water, 1/3 c. lime simple syrup, and 1/4 c. cherry reduction. Add 7-up if desired. So yummy and refreshing!

*may be made with fresh squeezed lemon juice for lemonade instead of limeade, if desired.