Houstonist Bartender: Big Girl Cherry Limeade

Cherry Limeade is like, the best-ever, all-pro drink from your local drive-in burger joint which you know, but we shan't name. It is the one thing you proudly order in a half-gallon bubba cup 'cause it's stellar and one thing that you will order in such quantity. Even at the risk of "multiple peeing disorder", cause unless you are sweating like a "ho in church" you will have to relinquish all that liquid to a porcelain deity, just saying. So, now, you don't have to run home and dump the high dollar vodka in the cup before all the ice melts because we are going to tell you how to make the backyard pic-a-nic or barbecue or bird watchin' version of this delectable and very refreshing treat.

Cherry Limeade

6 medium to large sized limes
2/3 cup sugar (or measures like sugar substitute)
2 quarts water

Roll the limes, cut in half and juice into a pitcher. Add sugar and water, stir until everything is dissolved. Test for your desired level of sweet or tart and adjust (you know you keep extra limes on hand for fancy beer, anyway. Better yet, plant a lime shrubbery of your own). Chill.

1 part of Three Olives Cherry Vodka (we are somewhat brand specific for quality)
3 parts fresh limeade

Pour over ice, garnish with a lime slice and maybe a maraschino cherry, drink. Repeat. And as always, "I Spy" and cheap vodka are for teenagers (we haven't had cheap cherry vodka and lemon lime soda since we were like 13, for real). Drinking irresponsibly and driving is for amateurs and dumbasses. If you drink, please do not drive - Houstonist sanctions responsibility with the alcohol, designated drivers, and cab rides - whatever keeps you safe from the po-po or worse (we don't like to contemplate the "worse", it can be bad).

It may also be referred to as "Big Boy Limeade" if that suits you better.

Photo courtesy of flickr user jonmathew photography