It’s hot. So wildly hot here in DC. What about where you are? Are you melting away this summer? Because I am.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the heat. The bright sun, the warmth on my skin, excuses to eat ice cream, and daylight late into the night. But also, my plants are starting to wither, I’m sweating at 8am on my walk to work, and I’m intimidated by a whole Saturday free because I want to go outside, but it’s so sticky! The key is, you gotta have ways to cool off. Go to the pool, sip frozen cocktails at happy hour, get a popsicle, or make this really yummy recipe for sparkling limeade.
I like the limeade idea especially after being out all day. It’s great to come home, sit on the sofa, put my feet up, and drink this bubbly cold beverage while my body gets back to neutral. It’s nice too because it’s got a bit of a kick. Sure, it’s sweet but the limes are so tart and the seltzer gives it a little bite. You can totally make this recipe with plain water, but I love the bubbles from the seltzer. I think bubbles make all drinks a little more fun and special. Plus, it just adds a more interesting texture and flavor. All in all, this sparkling limeade is a really lovely pick-me-up that I think will add some zest to the summer heat.
The slight drawback to this recipe is that you need all the limes to get even one cup of limeade. However, a few months ago I got a citrus juice press thing (the orange thing in the photo above) and it is SO MUCH FUN. It squashes the limes (or lemons) and squeezes out tons of juice. Your end result is flattened hockey pucks of limes which I think are really funny looking. Also, I like the juice press because it doesn’t make a big mess and it doesn’t take a lot of work from me. Last endorsement for the juice press, I heard on the America’s Test Kitchen podcast that they tested different kinds of handheld juicers and the juice press was the most efficient for squeezing out the most juice. So, I recommend getting on as they’re cute and less than $10.
A great thing about this recipe is that in addition to making limeade you’ll also make simple syrup. What’s simple syrup you say? It’s basically sugar dissolved into water and makes a sweetened liquid that mixes easily into cold drinks. This recipe will make more than you need for the limeade. That’s good because you can save the excess and people can add extra sweetener later if they like. As well, it stays good in the fridge for about a month so you can add it to cocktails, iced coffee, or other juices.
And for a little extra excitement, you could pop in some herbs or fruits and infuse the simple syrup with a different flavor. The possibilities are endless friends! I’ve made lavender simple syrup and strawberry simple syrup, both of which are good with lemonade and limeade. I’ve also been itching to do a rosemary simple syrup and creating some kind of herbal grapefruit cocktail. Get creative, try it out, and stay cool this summer.
Messy level: Super clean with minimal dishes. You do have to juice a bazillion limes and that can get sticky but you shouldn’t end up with a messy kitchen at the end of this recipe.
- 1 cup/ 235 ml water
- 1 cup/ 200 grams sugar
- 1 cup/ 235 ml lime juice (from about 12+ limes)
- 1½ - 2 cups/ 350-470 ml seltzer water
- ¾ cup/ 175 ml simple syrup
- ice
- lime wedges for garnish
- Put sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
- Increase the heat and bring sugar and water to a boil. Lower the heat back to medium and let it simmer for three minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Transfer simple syrup to a glass container, seal it, and store in the fridge until cold.
- If you haven't already, juice your limes. Then, add the lime juice to a pitcher.
- Add 1½ cups of seltzer water to the pitcher.
- Add ¾ cup of simple syrup to the pitcher.
- Stir everything in the pitcher and taste. Adjust to add more seltzer of simple syrup until you get your desired balance.
- Serve in a glass filled with ice and garnished with a lime wedge (optional)
