The Best Sundae-Style Cherry Cocktail – Perfect for Date Night or Girls Night In!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
My husband is absolutely obsessed with anything cherry. Drinks, candies, sodas, toppings, the whole lot. So the moment we made our Festive Holiday Collins last week, he immediately asked if we could make a cherry version next!
And honestly, this one might be even better. It takes the classic Tom Collins cocktail and gives it a fun cherry lime twist that tastes bright, sweet, and a little bit like a soda shop sundae in a tall glass.
Instead of simple syrup, we use the juice straight from the jar of maraschino cherries. It adds sweetness and colour without buying anything extra which already makes this a very budget friendly cocktail.
Lime juice takes the place of lemon here and gives it that sharp, almost sour bite that pairs beautifully with cherry. It is refreshing and a little playful, just the thing for cosy nights in.
His favourite cherry soda is the Canada Dry Zero Sugar Fruit Splash Cherry Ginger Ale, but genuinely any cherry soda you like will work perfectly.
And like most of our cocktails, we use the Military Special brands of alcohol from the Class Six here on base. They are affordable, mix well, and no need to splurge on premium gin when you are using bright mixers like these!
And of course every cocktail or date night at home is one less takeaway or restaurant trip. Every penny counts while we are on baby step 2 of our debt free journey. These little frugal swaps add up quietly over the long run.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
This Cherry Lime Collins feels indulgent without costing much at all. It has that nostalgic soda fountain vibe, especially with the whipped cream on top.
It looks adorable and tastes even better, which makes it wonderful for a fun date night or a girls night in.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So pop into the kitchen with me and let’s make this cheerful cherry lime cocktail you’re going to want to mix again and again – and don’t forget to check out the video of this recipe down in the recipe card!
Equipment
- Shot glass measure
- Tall Collins glass or any highball or tall glass (I used our favourite root beer float glasses)
- Long spoon for stirring
- Cocktail shaker optional for a professional touch
Available on Amazon.com [ad]
Ingredients
Makes 1 Cocktail
- 2 oz dry gin
- 1 oz lime juice (bottled is fine)
- 1/2 ounce juice from the jar of maraschino cherries
- 3 oz any cherry soda (we love the Canada Dry variety I’ll link below)
- Canned whipped cream or Ready Whip (squirty cream if you’re in the UK!)
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- Ice
Available on Amazon.com [ad]
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step one: Fill your glass with ice.
Step two: Pour in the gin.
Step three: Add the juice from the jar of maraschino cherries.
Step four: Add the lime juice.
Step five: Stir well so everything mixes together.
Step six: Pour in the cherry soda, leaving at least a centimeter or two at the top of the glass.
Step seven: Give it one last gentle stir.
Step eight: Add the whipped cream or Ready Whip on top, then finish with a maraschino cherry just like a sundae.
Notes & Troubleshooting
Notes
- Lime juice gives a cleaner sour note than lemon in this recipe.
- Any cherry soda works, including diet or zero sugar varieties.
- Whipped cream gives it that fun soda shop feel, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter drink.
- The cherry juice from the jar adds natural colour without needing grenadine.
Troubleshooting
- Too sweet: add a splash more lime juice.
- Too tart: add an extra teaspoon of cherry juice from the jar.
- Drink feels flat: add more ice and top with fresh soda.
Storage
- This cocktail should be enjoyed immediately.
- You can, however, prep the gin, lime juice, and cherry juice in advance and store them chilled for quick mixing.
- Just add the soda, cream and cherry when you’re serving.
Serving Ideas
- Perfect for budget date nights at home
- A cute option for girls night in
- Great paired with garlic doughballs or snack boards
- Ideal for BBQs, summer evenings, or anytime you want a bright cherry drink
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- It tastes like a grown up cherry limeade
- Fun soda shop vibes with the whipped cream
- Budget friendly with ingredients you probably already have
- Easy to customise with any cherry soda you love
- A great way to use maraschino cherry juice instead of wasting it
FAQ
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes. Swap the gin for extra soda and a splash of lime.
Can I skip the whipped cream?
Absolutely. It just adds a fun sundae look.
Does bottled lime juice work?
Yes. It works perfectly and is more budget friendly.
Can I use lemon instead?
You can, but lime gives the best sour cherry balance.
Make This Recipe With Me!
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch a video than read a recipe card isn’t it?! So here’s a quick tutorial on how to make this simple and delicious recipe at home and on a budget – thank you for joining me in the kitchen today!
@sidehustlehomemakers Make a Date Night Cherry-Lime Collins Sundae with me! Screenshot for recipe – more over at Far From the Farm #foodblogger #militaryfamily #fyp #cherry #cherries ♬ Sia – Xeptemper
A Fun Cherry Lime Collins Gin Cocktail Recipe!
November 26, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Pour in the gin.
- Add the juice from the jar of maraschino cherries.
- Add the lime juice.
- Stir well so everything mixes together.
- Pour in the cherry soda, leaving at least a centimeter or two at the top of the glass.
- Give it one last gentle stir.
- Add the whipped cream or Ready Whip on top, then finish with a maraschino cherry just like a sundae!
Video
Notes
- Lime juice gives a cleaner sour note than lemon in this recipe.
- Any cherry soda works, including diet or zero sugar varieties.
- Whipped cream gives it that fun soda shop feel, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter drink.
- The cherry juice from the jar adds natural colour without needing grenadine.
Storage
- This cocktail should be enjoyed immediately.
- You can, however, prep the gin, lime juice, and cherry juice in advance and store them chilled for quick mixing.
- Just add the soda, cream and cherry when you’re serving.
Related Recipes
Make this Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup!Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
This Cherry Lime Collins is bright, sweet, playful, and perfect for cosy nights in without spending much. It feels fun but stays frugal which is exactly the balance we’re aiming for on a strict budget!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If this cherry lime cocktail becomes a new favourite in your home, share it with someone who loves fun and frugal drinks as much as we do!
Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
