Copycat Chick-fil-A Cherry Berry Frosted Lemonade Recipe

If you’ve ever had that perfect blend of sweet-tart lemonade and creamy vanilla soft-serve swirl across your tongue on a warm afternoon, you know the magic of Chick-fil-A’s Cherry Berry Frosted Lemonade. It’s icy yet smooth, lemony but layered with the juicy kiss of cherry, blueberry, and cranberry. It’s like someone bottled the memory of summer fairs, picnic blankets, and roadside fruit stands.

This homemade version captures the same playful pink color, the rich lemonade creaminess, and the gentle burst of berry flavor that makes the original so refreshing. The best part? You can enjoy it any time of year, without waiting for a limited-time menu drop.

Whether you’re looking to recreate a favorite drive-thru indulgence, impress friends at a backyard gathering, or just treat yourself on a lazy weekend, this copycat Cherry Berry Frosted Lemonade will hit the spot in under 10 minutes.

How to make Chick-fil-A Cherry Berry Frosted Lemonade

Start by making a quick cherry berry syrup, a mix of cherry, blueberry, and cranberry juice concentrates or syrups blended together for that layered fruit punch. Then, whip up a batch of classic lemonade, bright and tart. The magic happens when you bring it all together with creamy vanilla ice cream in a blender, mixing just long enough to get that signature thick texture without losing the pale pink hue.

Pour into a chilled glass, watch the condensation bead down the sides, and top with whipped cream if you’re feeling extra. One sip, and you’ll taste why this drink has a cult following.

Nutrition facts (per 16 oz serving)

Calories: 380
Total Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Carbohydrates: 74 g
Sugar: 67 g
Protein: 7 g

Ingredients (1 serving, 16 oz)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

• 5 oz cold lemonade (freshly made or store-bought, tart style)
• 0.75 oz cherry berry syrup (see notes below)
• 10 oz vanilla ice cream (low butterfat, soft-serve style preferred)
• Optional: 1–2 drops beet juice or red vegetable juice for color accuracy
• Whipped cream (for topping)

Cherry Berry Syrup (makes ~4 oz, enough for 5–6 servings)

• 2 tbsp tart cherry juice concentrate (or 3 tbsp unsweetened cherry juice)
• 1 tbsp blueberry juice concentrate (or 2 tbsp unsweetened blueberry juice)
• 1 tbsp cranberry juice concentrate (or 2 tbsp unsweetened cranberry juice)
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• Optional: ½ tsp light corn syrup or ¼ tsp food-grade glycerin for body

Tools you’ll need

• Blender (high-powered works best)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ice cream scoop
• Chilled 16 oz glass
• Spoon or piping bag for whipped cream
• Straw

Instructions

1. Make the berry syrup
Combine juices, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool completely. (3 min + cooling)

2. Add to blender
Place lemonade, berry syrup, and vanilla ice cream into the blender. (30 sec)

3. Blend it up
Blend on medium speed until thick and creamy, 15–20 seconds. Avoid over-blending to preserve body. (20 sec)

4. Serve
Pour into a chilled glass, top with whipped cream, and enjoy immediately. (1 min)

Tips

• Use fresh-squeezed lemonade for the brightest flavor.
• Chill your serving glass for a longer-lasting frost.
• Don’t add ice, it will water down the texture.
• Adjust syrup to taste. Start small, as berry concentrates are potent.
• For a lighter body, swap half the ice cream for crushed ice, but it will melt faster.

What to serve with

Fresh and fruity companions

• Fresh cherries and blueberries in a small bowl – They echo the drink’s flavors and add a fresh pop between sips.
• Melon skewers with mint – A cool, lightly sweet bite that keeps the berry-lemon combo feeling refreshing.
• Citrus salad with grapefruit and orange – Brings out the lemonade’s tartness while adding a more complex citrus profile to your snack table.

Sweet indulgences

• Lemon sugar cookies – The citrus snap mirrors the drink’s brightness without overpowering it.
• Cherry almond biscotti – Perfect for dunking if you’re feeling rebellious. The almond flavor deepens the berry notes.
• Mini berry hand pies – Flaky pastry pockets with sweet-tart filling are just rich enough to make this a dessert pairing worthy of a café menu.

Savory contrasts

• Crispy chicken nuggets or tenders – The salt-crunch combo against creamy-sweet lemonade is a fast-food classic.
• Waffle fries with light seasoning – The perfect companion for dipping or snacking between sips.
• Mini turkey and cheese sliders – Savory, melty, and light enough not to weigh you down while sipping something sweet.

Variations

• Diet Cherry Berry Frosted Lemonade – Use diet lemonade and sugar-free syrups. Same flavor profile with a fraction of the calories.
• Extra Berry Burst – Increase syrup to 1 oz and add a small handful of frozen mixed berries to the blender for a thicker, fruitier drink.
• Coconut Berry Frost – Swap half the vanilla ice cream for coconut ice cream for a tropical, creamy twist.
• Boozy Picnic Version – Add 1 oz vodka or white rum for an adult treat at summer gatherings.
• Cherry Berry Milkshake – Replace lemonade with milk for a purely creamy berry shake with no citrus tang.
• Layered Pink Swirl – Blend lemonade and ice cream first, then drizzle berry syrup down the inside of the glass before pouring. Pretty and Instagram-ready.

Ingredient substitutes

Lemonade

• Original: Fresh lemon juice, sugar, water
• Substitutes: Store-bought lemonade, bottled lemon juice mixed with water and sugar, limeade for a citrus twist

Cherry Berry Syrup

• Original: Cherry, blueberry, cranberry juice concentrates
• Substitutes: Torani or Monin cherry + blueberry syrups, mixed berry jam diluted with water and strained, pomegranate juice with a splash of cranberry for tartness

Vanilla Ice Cream

• Original: Low butterfat vanilla, soft-serve style
• Substitutes: Dairy-free vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt, or banana nice cream for a lighter texture

Whipped Cream

• Original: Standard dairy whipped cream
• Substitutes: Coconut whipped cream, almond-based whip, or omit entirely

Color Tint (optional)

• Original: Vegetable juice and beta carotene
• Substitutes: A single drop of beet juice, pomegranate juice, or skip if you don’t mind a paler shade