This delicious, tart, and bold limeade recipe uses simple ingredients but a unique method to make the best drink. The sugar is dissolved in the limes to extract extra flavor, creating a syrup that makes the limeade even more refreshing.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
Growing up, we always had tons of limes around the house, and a nice refreshing limeade was always one of our designated drinks for gatherings and hot summer days.
I remember watching my grandmother roll the limes on the counter before cutting them to release more juice and how her kitchen would fill with that bright citrus aroma.
Although you can make limeade by squeezing lime juice and adding sugar, this method of making lime syrup by soaking the rinds in sugar is an absolute game changer. It makes the limeade so much more vibrant and complex, pulling out the aromatic oils from the peels that would otherwise go to waste.
If you like this limeade recipe, you'll love this strawberry-basil lemonade too.
Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Limes (about 8-10 medium ones, totaling around 2 pounds)
- White granulated sugar
- Cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lime slices, for garnish (optional)
How To Make It
Start by thoroughly washing your limes. This is important since we'll be using the peels, and you want to remove any wax or residue.
Roll each lime firmly against the counter with the palm of your hand. This helps to break down the cells inside and release more juice.
Cut the limes in half and juice them, but don't throw away those rinds! Set the juice aside (you should get about 1¾ cups) and cut the rinds into chunks.
In a large bowl (use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel - avoid aluminum or other reactive metals), toss the lime rinds with 1½ cups of sugar until thoroughly coated.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally. This maceration process is where the magic happens!
The sugar draws out the flavorful oils from the lime peels. If you have time, you can let it sit for up to 12 hours for even deeper flavor.
Once the maceration is complete, add the reserved lime juice and 2 cups of cold water to the bowl. Stir well to dissolve any remaining sugar.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass pitcher, pressing down on the rinds to extract as much syrupy goodness as possible.
Serve over ice, garnished with fresh lime slices if desired.
Variations to Try
- Fizzy Limeade: Replace some of the water with sparkling water just before serving for a refreshing bubbly version.
- Herbal Infusions: During maceration, add a few mint, basil, or rosemary sprigs to the sugar and lime peel mixture. Or add them to the pitcher.
- Strawberry Limeade: Blend 1 cup of fresh strawberries and add to the finished limeade.
- Adult Version: Add a splash of white rum or tequila for a refreshing cocktail.
Tanya's Top Tips for Perfect Limeade
- Choose the Right Limes: Look for limes that feel heavy for their size and have thin, smooth skins - they typically have more juice and less bitter pith.
- Plan Ahead: The maceration process needs at least 3 hours, so this isn't a last-minute recipe. But the concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week!
- Adjust to Taste: Limes can vary in tartness. After mixing everything together, taste and adjust by adding more sugar or simple syrup if it is too tart or more water or lime juice if it is too sweet.
- Use a Nonreactive Bowl: Limes' acidity can react with certain metals, particularly aluminum, giving your limeade a metallic taste. Stick to glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.
How to Store Limeade
The beauty of this method is that it creates a concentrated limeade that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, you can dilute it further with cold water or ice as needed, making it perfect for entertaining.
I hope you love this limeade recipe as much as we do. If you're looking for more refreshing drink recipes, try these out:
Limeade Recipe (Lime Syrup Method)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds limes about 8-10 medium limes
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 2 cups cold water
- Ice cubes for serving
- Lime slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and scrub the outside of the limes. Roll the limes firmly against the counter to soften the rinds. Halve the limes and juice them, setting the juice aside. You should get about 1 ¾ cups lime juice. Cut the juiced lime rinds into 1-inch chunks.
- In a large nonreactive mixing bowl, toss the lime rinds with the sugar until thoroughly coated.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for about 3 hours (or up to 12 hours for deeper flavor).
- Add the reserved lime juice and 2 cups of cold water to the bowl. Stir well to dissolve any remaining sugar.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass pitcher, pressing down on the rinds to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the limeade over the ice. Garnish with lime slices if desired.
Notes
- The limeade concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Dilute with additional water or ice as needed.
- Taste the limeade before serving. If it's too tart, add more sugar; if too sweet, add more water or fresh lime juice.
- For a fizzy version, swap some of the water with sparkling water.
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