Refreshing Limeade

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Yield: 8 cups

There's no rule that says refreshing citrus-based thirst quenchers have to be made from just lemons. If you're tired of the same-old lemonade, try limeade instead. It's especially good when you're having tacos, burritos, or any other Tex-Mex type of dish.

In Southeast Asia, limeade (also known as "lime water") is a popular drink due to the fact that fresh limes are so readily available and the weather is so hot. Limeade is very refreshing and fragrant, and its light green color also makes it a beautiful drink to serve.

Refreshing Limeade

The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

"Nice, zesty, and refreshing." —Renae Wilson

Refreshing Limeade Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, from about 5 medium to large limes

  • 7 to 8 cups water

  • 1 cup granulated sugar, more or less to taste

  • Lime wheels or wedges, mint, or honeydew slices, optional, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Refreshing Limeade ingredients

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  2. Pour the lime juice into a large jug, and add 7 cups water.

    lime juice in a jug and water in a bowl

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  3. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.

    add sugar to the lime and water mixture

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

  4. Taste test the lime water, adding more sugar if you prefer it sweeter or more water if you find the taste too tart or sharp. Set jug in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours, or until cold. Serve as is or garnish with lime wedges, mint, or honeydew slices.

    Refreshing Limeade in a glass

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

Tips

  • This recipe can easily be doubled.
  • You can use this limeade as a base for alcoholic beverages by adding a shot of vodka, gin, or rum.

Variations

  • Garnish this limeade with other fresh fruit such as melons, strawberries, or raspberries to add color and add a touch of another flavor.
  • Limeade is also great with some muddled mint or thin slices of cucumbers.
  • Mix it with unflavored or citrus-flavored seltzer for a sparkling drink.
  • Mix it with equal parts iced tea (sweet or otherwise) for a twist.
  • Make it lemon-limeade by combining it with lemon juice to suit your taste.
  • Use a combination of water and coconut water for a tropical twist. Just adjust your sugar content accordingly if your coconut water happens to be sweetened.
  • If you're the kind of person who likes to get creative with beverages, limeade will take well to being infused with some simple syrups; ginger or mint would work especially well. Just reduce the initial sugar addition by half if you are going to use a simple syrup to infuse it with both sweetness and flavor.

How to Store Limeade

  • Fresh limeade will keep for up to a week. If you happen to have leftover limeade, you can always freeze it in ice cube trays and use it to flavor other drinks, including water, seltzer, and iced teas.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
84 Calories
0g Fat
22g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 84
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 33%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 24mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)