Limeade
Published Jul 23, 2025
This homemade limeade recipe uses fresh limes, mixed with a simple syrup and water. That's it 3 ingredients!
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Limeade is my new fave!
Limeade is an underrated drink to make at home. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen it on a restaurant menu unless it’s some kind of specialty thing. This summer, I set out to make it more, and while I still love lemonade (it reminds me of my mom and childhood), this limeade recipe has been a nice change.
It’s slightly more tart, not as sweet, and it takes just as little effort. I’ve been making a pitcher of limeade when I catch limes on sale and keeping it in the fridge; somehow, it always gets finished faster than I expect.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Limeade Ingredients
- Granulated sugar: Boiling it with water makes a quick, simple syrup, so it actually dissolves. Don’t skip this step, or the limeade will taste gritty.
- Water: Split between the syrup and the final mix. Use cold water for the second part so it chills faster.
- Fresh lime juice: About 8–10 limes, depending on size and juiciness. Bottled lime juice won’t taste the same as fresh; it really does make a difference.
- Ice (optional): I usually wait until serving so it doesn’t water it down in the pitcher.
How to Make Limeade
Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups cold water divided
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 8–10 limes
- Ice for serving optional
Instructions
- Combine the sugar with 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved to make a simple syrup. Set aside to cool.
- Pour the lime juice into a 2-quart pitcher. Add the cooled simple syrup and stir well.
- Stir in the remaining 4 cups of cold water.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, then serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices if you like.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Taste and adjust. All limes are different so make sure to taste the finished product and add a splash more water if it’s too tart or an extra spoonful of sugar if you’d like it sweeter.
- Roll the limes before juicing. It helps get more juice out of each one.
- Strain the lime juice if you don’t want pulp. Totally optional, I don’t always bother, but some people care.
- Cool the simple syrup fully. If it’s still warm when you mix everything, it’ll mess with the flavor and temperature.
Comments
Absolutely delicious – and so easy to make. I used superfine sugar which dissolved very quickly.
Yay, so happy you liked it! Thank you!!