Homemade Limeade
This tart limeade recipe the best summer drink! Not only is it refreshing, it's ultra hydrating. Beat the heat with a cold glass of limeade.
Servings 8 cups
Calories 152kcal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 5 cups water divided
- 1 cup fresh lime juice strained to remove pulp
- 1 drop vanilla extract
Instructions
- First, make a simple syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and 1 cup water and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large pitcher, mix together simple syrup and lime juice. Top with cold water and 1 drop vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour over ice and garnish with lime slices, mint leaves or fresh fruit.
Notes
Tips & tricks
- Fresh juice is worth the effort. I’ve tried this with both lime juice concentrate and fresh lime juice, and the fresh is so much better.
- If it is too tart, you can add more syrup and/or more water.
- Be sure to strain the lime juice before making the limeade so that there is no pulp or chunks. You’ll have a smooth and tasty drink!
- Refrigerate this drink for at least an hour before serving. The colder it is, the better the flavor! To keep your drink cold on a hot day, serve in insulated cups or chill the glasses before serving.
Substitutions, additions & variations
Sugar-free: If you’d like to avoid using refined sugar, you can sweeten your limeade with honey simple syrup, maple syrup or sugar-free simple syrup made with stevia. No limes, or not enough? Then use some lemons instead and make a batch of lemonade or lemon-limeade! Make it bubbly. Turn this into a bubbly beverage with some club soda or another carbonated water. Sparkling limeade is the best! Change up the flavors: Add fresh fruit purées or flavored simple syrups, like cherry, strawberry, peach or basil.Nutrition
Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.05mg
