Greek Cherryade
Bright, tangy Greek sour cherryade made with homemade sour-cherry syrup and water—quick, refreshing, and kid-friendly for an easy summer drink win.
If you’re looking for a drink that’s a little different but still totally approachable (and incredibly delicious), this Greek cherryade is the perfect place to start. Made from sour cherry syrup and sparkling or still water, it’s tangy, slightly sweet, and bursting with real fruit flavor. Think of it as a Mediterranean take on lemonade – refreshing, colorful, and easy enough for kids to help make from start to finish.
Sour cherryade is a staple summer drink in Greece, where it’s often served ice cold on hot afternoons. It’s bright, bold, beautiful and it only takes a few minutes to pull together.
Sour cherryade (or visinada) is a classic Greek drink made by mixing sour cherry syrup with cold water. The syrup is made from sour cherries cooked down with sugar, creating a rich, tangy, ruby-red concentrate.
It’s traditionally served chilled or over ice, and it’s the kind of drink that feels both refreshing and a little special.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to make and only needs a few ingredients
- Kid-approved, fun to stir, mix, and taste-test
- A delicious way to explore Greek flavors in a format kids already love
- Can be made sparkling or still, depending on your mood
Discover your next culinary adventure
If you and your family loved this Greek sour cherryade, keep the global drink inspiration going with one of these next:
- Strawberry Limeade – Sweet, tart, and super kid-friendly
- Brazilian Limeade – Creamy, zesty, and great for warm weather
- Pineapple Ginger Juice – A tropical drink with just a little kick
How to make visinada at home
Here is a brief overview of how to make this easy recipe at home. For the full set of instructions, please make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step One: Make the sour cherry syrup
Wash and pit the cherries.
In a small saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar and water. Simmer until the cherries soften and release their juices, and then turn off the heat and allow the mixture to steep.
Strain out the solids and let the syrup cool completely. (You can store it in a jar in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.) Hint: Save the solids and add them on top of ice cream or oatmeal!
Step Two: Mix a drink
Add some of the syrup to a glass. Fill with cold still or sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the syrup amount if needed. Add ice and garnish with a slice of lemon or a cherry on top for extra fun.
The great thing about this recipe is after you create the cherry syrup, you can mix either a glass at a time or a whole pitcher full! It keeps well and is easy to make.
How kids can help in the kitchen
This is a perfect recipe to make with your kids. They can:
- Wash and pit the cherries
- Mash the cooked cherries
- Scoop or pour the syrup
- Pour the water (sparkling is extra fun!)
You can even turn it into a mini kitchen experiment: try mixing in a little lemon juice to change the flavor, or stir with a fancy straw to make it feel extra special.
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Greek Cherryade
Ingredients
- 4 cups sour cherries washed and pitted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- Sparkling water for serving
Instructions
- Wash the cherries, then remove their stems and pits.
- In a large saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, sugar, and water.
- Simmer on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes, until the cherries start to get soft.
- Turn the heat off and use a masher to mash the cherries.
- Allow to sit and steep for 25 minutes.
- Strain out the solids, saving the syrup.
- Stir the lemon juice into the syrup. Place in the fridge to chill.
- When ready to make a glass, add 1/4 cup of cherry syrup and some ice to each each glass and top with chilled water or chilled club soda.
- Stir and enjoy.
