Fresh Limeade
In short: Tart, fragrant limeade made by rubbing lime zest into sugar before adding juice and water. Serve it very cold over ice. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 40 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 113 kcal
Limeade is lemonade's sharper cousin, and it is a staple of hot weather in many parts of the world. This version gets extra aroma from lime zest, which is pressed into the sugar so the fragrant oils dissolve into the drink. The result tastes of fresh lime instead of just sour. Use plain cold water for a classic limeade or half sparkling water for a fizzy one.
Instructions
- Wash the limes. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the green zest from 2 of them in wide strips, avoiding the white pith, which is bitter.
- Put the zest strips and sugar in a large jug. Press the zest into the sugar with a spoon for 1 minute, until the sugar looks damp and smells strongly of lime.
- Pour in the hot water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Leave it to steep for 10 minutes, then fish out the zest.
- Squeeze all the limes and strain the juice. Measure 180 ml (3/4 cup) and stir it into the jug.
- Add the cold water, taste, and adjust with a spoonful of sugar or a splash of water. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Pour over ice and add lime slices. If using sparkling water, add it just before serving.
Tips
- Roll the limes on the counter before juicing and use them at room temperature. Cold, hard limes give less juice.
- For a cooling twist, muddle a handful of mint leaves with the sugar and zest, or add a pinch of chili powder to the jug.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between limeade and lemonade?
Limeade uses lime juice, which is sharper and more floral than lemon juice. It tastes greener and benefits from a little extra sugar to balance it.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh juice is much better. Bottled lime juice tastes flat and sometimes metallic, and you lose the aroma from the zest.
How long does limeade keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered jug in the fridge. Lime flavor fades faster than lemon, so the drink is best within 24 hours.
How long does it take to make Fresh Limeade?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fresh Limeade?
About 113 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 113 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
