Fresh Cherry Limeade & Winner of the Pace Giveaway

I know there are still lots and lots of people out there who haven't been converted to the joys of Twitter - and to be honest, I know a lot of people just wonder what the point is altogether. If you, like me, have a targeted audience that 'follows' you and that you 'follow' then I think the beauty of Twitter is the access to people with your same interests.

The story of this Fresh Cherry Limeade is the perfect example of the reason I use Twitter. This creation, though the final measurements came together from my experimenting, was actually born last Friday through the information, expertise and efforts of myself and several other foodies who all chimed in to help. I can't take full credit for this recipe, because I couldn't have done it without these ladies. Here are the tweets that bring you this fantastic and refreshing drink.

My thanks go out to @HighChair @tspegar and @jo_jo_ba for answering my call! I really was stumped in finding what I wanted and you ladies helped me through! I think the only original addition to this drink (which really was quite the awesome addition if I do say so myself) was the vanilla in the syrup - which, even then was confirmed by my girls. I love you all and just can't say it enough!

I even had several requests for the recipe already and emailed it out - I know for a fact that @FieldsofCake has already made it and taken some stunning pictures (waaaay better than mine) and is posting her version which is a bit stronger flavored than mine. Mine was smooth, a little sweet, a little tart but not super strong (there were kiddos I knew wouldn't want it stronger - though some adults did). So, use your own judgment and decrease the water or increase your limes and cherries accordingly.

Here are the tweets that bring you this fantastic and refreshing drink:

PheMom: CALLING ALL FOODIES: Anyone made cherry limeade from scratch? I'm not finding any recipes so far using fresh cherries & limes.

HighChair @PheMom No idea, but I would haul out my juicer for those cherries.

@HighChair No juicer, but I'm thinking of pitting, pureeing and straining. Then making simple syrup w/ van bean then combine all?

HighChair@PheMom Vanilla would be amazing with the cherries. I would hold the lime juice until the very end, just before serving

tspegar@PheMom i love to juice 6 limes/2 gal water, add 1 1/2C vanilla simple syrup and chill 2 hours. pit cherries and puree. add puree mixture

jo_jo_ba@PheMom I used to do a lime-zest flav simple syrup, freeze then thaw 1/2 cherries + puree, add whole ones to pitcher + soda, syrup

tspegar@PheMom oh! :) haha... i use 2-3C cherries... i love cherries! if you use 3C, i would cut the simple syrup to 1C to allow the lime tartness.

@tspegar thanks! Can't wait to make this today now!

tspegar@PheMom i think i might too :) sounds good now...mmmmm

jo_jo_ba@PheMom it was an experiment a few summers ago and it worked! Love it

jo_jo_ba@PheMom it's nice with gingerale too

Thanks again ladies! Couldn't have done it without you!

Now tell me, where but on Twitter could I have instantly created a recipe with three other gals when there was no other resource to be found for what I was looking for?

Fresh Cherry Limeade Recipe
Makes just under 2 gallons

First make the simple syrup:

Vanilla Bean Lime Infused Simple Syrup
2 C water
2 C sugar
Zest of 4 limes or 1 T tightly packed zest
1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped and cut into 2-inch pieces

Stir sugar and water together in a medium saucepan till the sugar dissolves, add the vanilla bean pieces and bring to a low boil and allow to thicken a bit and add the zest, stirring. Simmer 1 minute more and remove from heat and allow to cool and steep with zest and vanilla bean.

1 C fresh lime juice - 7 limes for me - strained

3 C whole pitted sweet cherries
1/4 C sugar

Purée til smooth and liquid strain to make about 1 C thick juice

Combine cherry puree, lime juice, simple syrup and divide in half to make two batches. 1 batch = 6 cups cold water to half the cherry lime mixture - 12 cups water total for full batch. Serve in sugar rimmed glasses on ice.

And the winner of the giveaway from Pace is Rebecca who said:

Rebecca said...

I would just throw it in the crock pot with pork as well. I'm a no frills cook, and that is one of our favorite meals. We put it in tortillas with a little bit of cheese, some tomatoes, and sour cream. MMmmmmmmm

So, Rebecca, please send me an email with your full name and mailing address and we will get your prize package of salsas and picante sauces on their way to you!