Stay hydrated with this sweet and tangy Limeade! Zesty lime paired with sugar helps balance the tart, and then water and fresh mint complete this drink. A flavorful and hydrating drink for all year round. If you’re looking for a refreshing, tangy drink to beat the heat or just add some zest to your day, this homemade limeade is exactly what you need. It’s super simple to make and full of fresh, bright lime flavor that’s perfect for hot summer days or anytime you want something sweet and citrusy.
This is a drink that becomes super popular when the warmer weather shows up. Sugar, water, and lime juice are all it takes. Add some fresh mint for a nice twist, or even a splash of rum or vodka to transform it into an adult cocktail.
Check out my cherry limeade recipe for those who love an excellent cherry-infused drink! You can also try my Brazillian lemonade, which is made with limes.
Reasons You’ll Love This Homemade Limeade Recipe…
- This is a quick drink you can throw together in literally minutes! Whip up a batch of limeade in no time for an impromptu gathering or drink for a hot summer day after sitting in the pool.
- Simple ingredients that also is budget-friendly. It’s a great drink that costs minimal to make.
- Fresh, sweet, tart, and tangy all in one fresh squeezed lime flavored drink.
- Versatile in ways to change up the flavor of the drink to transform the flavor.
Ingredients
Lime Juice: I recommend using fresh limes for this recipe. They will help elevate the flavor of this citrus limeade to a whole new level.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to help bring sweetness to the drink and balance out the tart from the lime.
Water: Water is needed to dilute the flavors. I do recommend using filtered water for this recipe.
Mint: Fresh mint is optional, but it will add earthy and herbal flavor to the drink.
Variations to Recipe
Lemon Infusion: Juice some lemons and add in addition to the limes. You could do 2-3 lemons. This will create a lemon-lime flavor to the drink.
Coconut: Add a cup of coconut water to replace the regular water to create a coconut twist to the drink. It will also add more minerals and nutrients to the drink.
Sparkling Limeade: Add sparkling water to replace regular water to create a bubbly texture to the limeade.
Fruit: Add mashed berries like strawberries, raspberries, or even blackberries. It could create a berry flavor to lime.
Jalapeno Limeade: Add in some sliced jalapenos that are freshly diced up. You can add a kick of heat.
Alcohol: To create a cocktail, add a shot of vodka or even rum. I recommend adding the alcohol to each glass. You can add adults to the whole pitcher if you only serve adults.
Tips for Making Limeade
Room Temperature Limes
Use room-temperature limes for this recipe. It will help you to extract more juice out of the limes. Roll the limes on the table before you slice and juice.
Dissolve Sugar
Stir the sugar mixture until it is fully dissolved and gone, so there are no sugar crystals in the drink when you drink it.
Adjust Sweetness
You can use less sugar to make the drink less sweet or add more sugar if you prefer the limeade sweeter.
Tartness
Adding less lime juice will reduce the tartness of the drink, or adding more lime juice will make it even more tart. Feel free to customize the drink to fit your preferences.
All you need is a handful of limes, sugar, and water — that’s it! The combination of fresh lime juice and just the right amount of sweetness makes this limeade both tart and refreshing. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, whether you prefer it extra sweet or more on the tangy side. The result is a cool, thirst-quenching drink that’s perfect for sipping by the pool, enjoying with dinner, or serving at your next BBQ or family gathering.
What I love about this limeade is how quick and easy it is to make. You can have a big pitcher ready to serve in just a few minutes, and it’s so much better than store-bought versions. Plus, it’s a fun, flavorful alternative to the usual lemonade! You can even jazz it up with a few mint leaves or a splash of sparkling water for a little extra flair.
Storing
Refrigerate the limeade in a sealed container. This drink will be stored for around 2-3 days. You will find that this drink is excellent to drink fresh or store in the fridge until you are ready.
You can also freeze the leftover limeade to have later—place it in an ice cube tray or freezer-friendly container. Just leave room for the liquid to expand as it freezes. Then, use the ice cubes to flavor drinks or thaw and drink.
Foods To Pair with Limeade
Limeades are great to sip in by the pool or while you are relaxing after work. Or you can pair your limeade with tinga tacos, fruit salad, chips, and salsa, or even a slice of Atlantic beach pie.
Essentially, you can pair your drink with almost any dish you consider to whip up. Feel free to play around with pairings and see what fits best.
Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh limes?
You are welcome to use bottled lime juice instead of squeezing fresh juice. When in a pinch, you can easily use bottled lime.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Go ahead and make up a batch of your limeade and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve up. Just stir well before you pour.
Does this recipe double well?
Yes, you are more than welcome to double the recipe. Double the ingredients accordingly and adjust the sweetness and tartness of the drink.
Whether you’re relaxing at home or hosting friends, this limeade is guaranteed to be a hit! So, grab some fresh limes and get ready to enjoy this simple, refreshing treat.
Craving More Drink Recipes
Limeade
Ingredients
- Juice of 8-10 limes
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 ½ cups water divided
- Optional* fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add sugar and 1 cup water into a small saucepan over medium heat and bring just to a bowl then reduce to a simmer. Stir until the sugar dissolves in the water to create a simple sugar syrup. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
- Combine the cooled sugar syrup, remaining water and lime juice in a large pitcher or container and stir well to combine.
- Adjust water and lime juice to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve or pour over ice and serve immediately, enjoy!
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