Prepare the Ingredients. Pit the fresh cherries. You can use a cherry pitter or slice them in half and remove the pits manually. Roll the limes on the countertop to soften them, then cut them in half and juice them. Set aside some lime slices for garnish if desired.
Combine Cherries and Sugar. In a saucepan, combine the pitted cherries and granulated sugar. Add a cup of water.
Simmer Cook over medium heat until the cherries break down and the mixture becomes syrupy, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Strain. Once done, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cherry solids. Let it cool.
Combine Lime Juice and Water. In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lime juice with 3 cups of water. Adjust the water amount based on your taste preference.
Add Cherry Syrup. Pour in the cooled cherry syrup. Stir well to combine.
Serve. Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the cherry limeade over the ice. Garnish with lime slices and mint leaves if desired.