There is nothing better to beat the heat of a hot summer day than a cool refreshing glass of icy cold Limeade. Made with fresh lime juice, this easy fresh limeade recipe will keep you cool all summer long.
If you thought making frozen limeade is the way to go you’ll love this perfect summer drink. Fresh lemonade is great but not the only game in town!
This recipe is made with simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now!
It’s easy to customize with different additional flavors too. Or make it into a cocktail!
The possibilities are endless.
Easy Limeade Recipe
Limeade is one of the most refreshing beverages there is. With natural flavors of fresh limes and cane sugar this simple drink gives any hot day a run for the money.
It’s easy to make. All you need is a large pitcher, some hot water, some cold water, fresh lime juice and sugar. And a tall glass of ice to enjoy it!
It’s a simple recipe with no artificial flavors. Making it yourself gives the fresh taste guarantee.
Also making it at home allows tailoring the amount of sugar and great-tasting limes flavor to match what you love.
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Limes. We recommend freshly squeezed limes for the best flavor.
You’ll need 1 cup of lime juice which is the equivalent of about 8-9 limes.
Using some fresh lime slices for serving or adding to the pitcher looks great and adds more lime flavor.
Water. You’ll use some warm water to dissolve the sugar then cold water to finish the limeade recipe. Four cups of water in total are needed.
Sugar. Good old white sugar gives the most traditional limeade flavor.
Easy Ways to Juice Limes
Here are some tips to make the juicing easy and to get more juice:
- Put the limes in the microwave for 10 seconds before juicing them.
- Alternatively they can be rolled on a counter top under your palms with some pressure applied.
- Use a handheld juicer for the most juice extraction and straining the seeds.
- A classic juicer can also be used or the limes can be hand squeezed (but it’s more difficult to get all the juice that way).
Variations
Want a stronger lime flavor? Add more lime juice to the finished limeade after tasting it or add some lime zest. The oils in the lime peel have a strong wonderful lime flavor.
Use simple syrup. For sweetening drinks simple syrup can’t be beat. It’s a liquid so blends well with drinks. Making a flavored limeade is easy too if you use flavored simple syrup (think lavender limeade, cherry limeade….) for extra flavor .
Make it sparkling. Instead of regular still water, after the sugar dissolves in the warm water add the lime juice and chill. When ready to serve substitute sparkling water or club soda to finish the limeade.
Using alternative sweeteners. Though we’ve only made this limeade recipe as written here, honey or sugar substitutes can be used.
How to make Homemade Limeade – Step-by-Step
Add 1 warm cup of water to a pitcher. Pour in the sugar and stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve.
NOTE: it doesn’t have to be wooden but that’s a classic choice.
Add the lime juice; stir.
Pour in the remaining cold water and chill fully before serving. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and serve with lots of ice.
Pro Tip
Limeade is not as sweet after chilling. The flavor of the limeade when first made at room temperature will be sweeter than it tastes after being chilled in the refrigerator.
We love it lightly sweet with 1/2 cup sugar but if you want it sweeter use 3/4-1 cup sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though the flavor of fresh limes really makes the perfect drink, bottled lime juice can be used too. We recommend using a brand that is not from concentrate if possible. Natural ingredients create the best flavor in juice drinks.
Though the flavor of fresh limes really makes the perfect drink, bottled lime juice can be used too. We recommend using a brand that is not from concentrate if possible. Natural ingredients create the best flavor in juice drinks.
More recipes you’ll love!
Recipe
Homemade Limeade
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup lime juice freshly squeezed recommended
- 3 cups cold water
- optional garnish: mint sprigs and lime slices
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and warm water in a pitchers. Stir to fully dissolve the sugar.
- Stir in the lime juice.
- Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water; stir. Place in the refrigerator to fully chill before serving.
- Serve in tall glasses full of ice. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice (optional).
Erin says
Great recipe! Thanks for the tip about it being less sweet after chilling. The sweet-tart flavor balance is just perfect.
FRANCESCA KERR says
THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!! It’s October 11 and I’ve been out in the yard doing work – have been craving limeade (love the electrolytes and the taste) and have a ton of lime juice in the fridge Googled limeade recipe, found this one, made it in a flash and just guzzled a glass – PERFECTION!! :}
Toni Dash says
Cheers to you doing yard work in October! So glad you enjoyed it.