Begin by pitting fresh cherries, or if using frozen cherries, let them thaw for at least 30 minutes until soft. Rinse them under cold water to clean, then set them aside.

In a blender, combine the prepared cherries with 2 cups of filtered water and the desired amount of cane sugar. Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and vibrant.

Using a fine mesh strainer, pour the blended cherry mixture into a large bowl or pitcher. Gently press the mixture with a spatula or the back of a spoon to extract all the juice, discarding any leftover pulp.

Add an additional cup of filtered water and freshly squeezed lime juice to the strained cherry mixture. Stir well until fully combined.

To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled cherry limeade over the top. Garnish each glass with fresh lime slices.