Everyone loves a good lemonade recipe, especially if it’s strawberry lemonade, but my personal favorite is actually limeade. There’s a reason the cherry and strawberry limeade from Sonic are so popular! Limeade is refreshing but feels a bit more grown-up than lemonade because the flavor tends to be just a little more tart than a sweet lemonade. It’s the perfect addition to any summer party and great served with other fruity desserts like this strawberry poke cake or a few of these mini cheesecake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Four ingredients – this may be the easiest recipe ever with just four ingredients, one of which is water! Super simple – no blending at all, just mixing ingredients together and serving over ice! Easy to change up – want your limeade a bit sweeter, add more simple syrup and less lime juice. Want it tarter, add less simple syrup and more lime juice. I like the combination I’ve written in this recipe but you can totally change it up!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Simple syrup – you can either buy a store-made simple syrup or make your own by combining sugar and water together. I’ve included instructions for making your own simple syrup below. Lime juice – make sure it’s fresh lime juice, not the bottled stuff. You only need four ingredients so don’t take the shortcut on this one. Ice – the ice is really just for serving the limeade, you don’t want to add it to the pitcher or it’ll water down the flavor. And I highly recommend nugget ice (just like Sonic). We absolutely love this NewAir nugget ice maker!
How to Make Homemade Limeade
This may be the easiest recipe ever, and I know I say that a lot, but seriously. Especially if you’re using a store-bought simple syrup. But let’s start by assuming you’re not and talk about making that simple syrup.
1 – Make a Simple Syrup
All you need to do is combine equal parts water and sugar in a pot and warm it up on the stove until the sugar has dissolved. In the case of this lemonade, do 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, you have your simple syrup! If you like your drinks sweeter, you can also do 3/4 cup sugar to the 1/2 cup of water for a stronger simple syrup. That’s what I do for my homemade blueberry lemonade, and it’s delicious!
2 – Make Limeade
Okay now that you have your simple syrup, next it’s time to juice those limes. This should only take a second so don’t try and make it even faster with bottled lime juice – not the same! Lastly, all you need to do is combine all of the ingredients together in a large pitcher and stir together. Make sure to stir well to get all of those flavors to mingle together! That’s it – your limeade is done! You can add fresh lime slices to the pitcher or just leave as is until serving.
3 – Serve or Store
Serve over ice immediately or chill in the refrigerator (without ice) and enjoy chilled straight from the fridge.
Expert Tips
Store in a covered pitcher for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Lime juice and simple syrup can be adjusted to taste for tartness/sweetness.
More Easy Drinks
If you like this homemade limeade recipe, you’ll love these other refreshing summer drinks!
How to make homemade frozen hot chocolate – this super simple recipe is great for a hot summer day and also one of my favorite princess party ideas! Strawberry mojito mocktail – just like a strawberry mojito minus the spiked part. This one is great for summer get togethers, baby showers, and bridal showers! Cotton candy drink – the most fun drink ever! Strawberry flavors combined with a little cotton candy for sparkle make this a fun one for kids and adults. Homemade fruit punch – the perfect combination of juices in one delicious punch! Chocolate cake shake – more a dessert than a drink, this yummy milkshake combines ice cream, milk, and chocolate cake!
