By Becky Hardin
Published Jun 19, 2019
On a hot day, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as this homemade limeade recipe. Learning how to make limeade is easier than I thought it would be, and it’s so delicious, too! All you need are limes, water, and sugar– yeah, it’s that easy! I love to sip on it in the backyard or bring it to all those summer BBQs.
Summer is my favorite season, but it gets so hot. I won’t complain about warm weather, but it definitely makes me extra thirsty. Drinking a nice cold beverage after being outside in the hot sun is one of the best feelings, so it’s important to have some easy summer drinks around to quench that thirst. That’s where this homemade limeade recipe comes in. It’s super easy to make up a pitcher of this stuff, serve it over ice, and everyone will be so grateful for the refreshing treat!
What’s in This Homemade Limeade Recipe?
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar dissolves in boiling water to create a simple syrup that sweetens this limeade without making it gritty.
- Water: Forms the base of the simple syrup and the limeade itself.
- Limes: Flavor the limeade and the lime simple syrup. I used 11 limes to make this recipe. I recommend buying an even dozen just in case!
Tips for Success
- I have found that making a simple syrup is the best way to fully dissolve the sugar. Sugar can be difficult to mix into cold liquids, so taking this extra step ensures it dissolves evenly. You can use this same trick for lemonade, iced tea, and other cold drinks that you need to sweeten!
- My favorite trick for juicing limes is to microwave them for 30-60 seconds. This softens them, making it easier to squeeze them. Ultimately, this will help you to get as much juice as possible out of them. Here are a few more tips to try .
How to Store
Store leftover homemade limeade covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, I recommend pouring the limeade into an ice cube tray and freezing. You can then blend these limeade cubes into a delicious frozen limeade!
Serving Suggestions
On a hot summer day, I love to sip on this homemade limeade while grilling . It’s great with my grilled tequila lime chicken or grilled flank steak with cilantro lime butter . I told you that extra lime would come in handy!
5-Star Review
“I made this for our pool party last weekend and I had to make 4 batches! So delicious!” -Stephanie
Ingredients1x2x3x
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
Video
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
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
- Garnish individual glasses with a slice of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. 1 lime, Fresh mint leaves
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Limeade Step by Step
Boil the Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, set over medium heat, bring 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of water, 6 tablespoons of lime juice, and 4 teaspoons of lime zest to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely before making limeade.
Whisk the Limeade: In a ½ gallon pitcher, whisk together 1 cup of lime juice, 3 cups of water, and all of the Lime Simple Syrup (from above). Serve over ice.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish individual glasses with a slice of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.
More Refreshing Drink Recipes To Try
- Margarita Pitcher
- Lavender Lemonade
- Lemonade Cleanse
- Mojito Pitcher
- Southern Sweet Tea
- Pina Coladas
- …Browse All Our Drink Recipes !
How To Make Limeade
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
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
- Garnish individual glasses with a slice of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. 1 lime, Fresh mint leaves
Video
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
