This simple and delicious Limeade is made with just 2 ingredients (plus ice and water!) Refreshingly tart and sweet, this easy Limeade recipe is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day!
Looking for more refreshing drinks? Try our Cherry Limeade and Strawberry Lemonade
Looking for a quick and easy thirst quenching summer drink? This easy Limeade recipe is what you need! Classic, delicoius, easy to make!
Refreshingly tart and sweet, this limeade is best served ice cold and is guaranteed to be a hit when served. Enjoy sipping on this homemade limeade at your next BBQ or pool party! Perfect for the hot days of summer!
What Is Limeade?
Limeade is the lime version of lemonade. It’s tart and a little sweet and perfectly refreshing. It’s made with limes, sugar and water.
Simply combine ingredients in a large pitcher and it’s ready to enjoy! We like to garnish our limeade with fresh mint sprigs and lime slices or wedges.
More Lime Recipes To Try
We are HUGE fans of all things lime. I find it to be my favorite citrus flavor and it’s just so delicious in so many ways. Here are a few of our favorite lime recipes to try:
- Cherry Limeade (Sonic Copycat)
- Key Lime Pie
- Key Lime Snowball Cookies
- Coconut Lime Cilantro Cooler
- Key Lime Pie Bars
- Easy Key Lime Fruit Dip
- Key Lime Pie Lush
Ingredients You’ll Need
There are just 5 ingredients – including ice and water – in this easy homemade limeade recipe. Check out the Variations To Try section below for ideas on how to customize this recipe.
Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need here and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post
- cold water and ice – I use about 2 cups of cold water and then top off the pitcher with about 2 cups of ice.
- limes – you’ll need enough limes for 1 cup of lime juice, the fresh lime zest plus additional limes for garnish. I’d get at least 10 limes.
- simple syrup – equal parts sugar and water are needed for the simple syrup.
- fresh mint – a lovely garnish but totally optional.
How To Make Limeade
You won’t believe how simple this recipe is! It takes about 10 minutes to make! Let’s take a quick look at the steps:
- Make simple syrup. Combine 1 cup of water and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and bring just to a simmer stirring frequently to dissolve sugar. Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. (I pop it in the freezer to cool quickly.) You will need 1 cup of simple syrup for this recipe.
- Juice limes. Juice enough limes for 1 cup of lime juice. I used about 7 limes.
- Add to pitcher. Combine the lime juice, simple syrup, lime zest and cold water in a large pitcher. Stir to combine.
- Taste test. Taste and add additional simple syrup if not sweet enough or more lime juice if too sweet.
- Add ice and garnish. Just before serving, stir in the ice cubes and the sliced lime or lime wedges. Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge or slice if desired.
I recommend a citrus juicer for juicing the limes. It’s much more effective than just using your hands.
FAQs
How should I store leftovers? Store this drink in the pitcher in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. When ready to serve and drink again, stir the contents with a long handled mixing spoon. You can also freeze this drink for a fun frozen treat.
Can I freeze this? Freezing this limeade is a great idea but we prefer to make it into popsicles!
Can this be made into a cocktail? Sure! This limeade recipe can turning into a boozy cocktail with the addition of vodka, white tequila triple sec, or light rum. Start with 1/2 cup and go from there.
Variations To Try
Make this recipe as written once and then go crazy! Here are some fun ideas to add a twist to this limeade recipe:
- To make this limeade adult friendly, consider adding in ½- ¾ cup vodka, triple sec, white tequila or a light rum.
- Smash mint leaves on the bottom of the pitcher for a mint infused limeade.
- Add a half teaspoon of any flavor extract for a yummy twist.
- Add in a lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for an extra sweet kick and some carbonation.
More Summer Drinks You’ll Love
Cooling off with a delicious summer drink is one of my favorite things during the summer months! We have so many favorites but here are a few I know you’ll love:
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Strawberry Italian Soda
- Cherry Limeade (Sonic Copycat)
- Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
- Strawberry Mango Smoothie
- Pineapple Margarita
- Berry Lemonade
- Basil Lemon Drop
How To Make Limeade
Easy Homemade Limeade
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Limeade
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup lime juice use fresh limes
- 1 to 2 teaspoons lime zest optional but adds even more lime flavor
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1 lime cut into slices or wedges
- 4 fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Simple Syrup
- Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and bring just to a simmer stirring frequently to dissolve sugar. Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. (I pop it in the freezer to cool quickly.) You will need 1 cup of simple syrup for this recipe.1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water
Limeade
- Combine the lime juice, simple syrup, lime zest and cold water in a large pitcher. Stir to combine.1 cup simple syrup, 2 cups cold water, 1 to 2 teaspoons lime zest
- Taste and add additional simple syrup if not sweet enough or more lime juice if too sweet.
- Just before serving, stir in the ice cubes and the sliced lime or lime wedges. Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge or slice if desired.2 cups ice cubes, 1 lime, 4 fresh mint sprigs
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