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–+ servings
fresh lemonade and limeade in pitchers on a wooden table.
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4.84 from 25 votes

How To Make Limeade

On a hot day, there's nothing quite as refreshing as this homemade limeade recipe. Learning how to make limeade is easier than you'd think!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 glasses
Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

For the Lime Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 3 limes)
  • 4 teaspoons lime zest (from 2 limes)

For the Limeade

  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (from 8 limes)
  • 3 cups water

Optional Garnishes

  • 1 lime sliced
  • Fresh mint leaves

Instructions

For the Lime Simple Syrup

  • In a small saucepan, set over medium heat, bring the sugar, water, lime juice, and lime zest to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely before making limeade. (If desired, strain the Lime Simple Syrup through a mesh strainer set over a bowl to remove the lime zest. Some people love the zest in their limeade and some don’t.)
    1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 4 teaspoons lime zest
    boiling lime simple syrup in a saucepan with a whisk.

For the Limeade

  • In a ½ gallon pitcher, whisk together the lime juice, water, and all of the Lime Simple Syrup (from above). Serve over ice.
    1 cup fresh lime juice, 3 cups water
    pouring lime simple syrup into a pitcher of limeade.
  • Garnish individual glasses with a slice of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.
    1 lime, Fresh mint leaves
    holding a glass of limeade with ice, mint, lime slices, and a straw.

Video

Notes

Yield: This recipe makes 32 ounces. A serving is 8 ounces.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Storage: Store homemade limeade covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.1mg