Fresh Homemade Strawberry Limeade
A bright, tangy, and refreshing summer drink made with fresh strawberries, lime juice, and simple syrup. Perfect for cooling down on hot days and easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
- 4 large limes, juiced (about 1/2 cup or 120ml lime juice)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (or honey/agave syrup as a substitute)
- 4 cups (1 liter) cold water
- Ice cubes as needed
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish or muddling
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups (300g) of fresh strawberries under cold water. Hull and roughly chop them into halves or quarters.
- Place the chopped strawberries in a blender and pulse until smooth but still slightly textured. Blend longer for a smoother drink if desired.
- Roll 4 large limes on the counter to loosen the juice, then cut in half and extract about 1/2 cup (120ml) of fresh lime juice using a citrus juicer or by hand, avoiding seeds.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar with 1/2 cup (120ml) water. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, fresh lime juice, and the cooled simple syrup. Stir well to blend all flavors.
- Pour in 3 1/2 cups (880ml) of cold water and stir. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more water, lime juice, or syrup as preferred.
- Refrigerate the strawberry limeade for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and chill.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint or lime slices if desired.
Notes
Use fresh lime juice for best flavor; bottled lime juice tastes flat. Make simple syrup to avoid gritty texture from undissolved sugar. Chill limeade before serving to soften sharpness and blend flavors. Optional to strain for pulp-free drink. Adjust sweetness after mixing. Frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained. Add a pinch of salt to enhance fruitiness. Sparkling water can replace still water for a fizzy version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 21
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: strawberry limeade, summer drink, homemade limeade, refreshing beverage, strawberry drink, lime juice, simple syrup, easy summer recipe