Make a batch of homemade strawberry limeade today. Refreshing, sweet, and tart, it's made from scratch with fresh strawberries and limes!
There's nothing better than a refreshing beverage on a hot summer day. Make a batch of fresh homemade strawberry limeade to quench your thirst!
This strawberry limeade is made with fresh strawberries, fresh limes, and a bit of sugar - that's it! Only three ingredients stand between you and this refreshing, fruity beverage.
This recipe makes 72 ounces of strawberry limeade - enough for about nine 8-ounce servings. Enjoy on a hot summer day around the pool, or serve at your next birthday party or barbecue!
Ingredients and substitutions
Fresh strawberries can be substituted with frozen, thawed strawberries. Keep in mind that if your strawberries are not in season, they may be slightly less sweet and flavorful. In season strawberries are always best for this recipe.
I always recommend using fresh limes instead of bottled lime juice. The flavor is bright, fresh, and all-around superior. About 8 limes will give you 1 cup of fresh lime juice.
Buy an extra one or two limes, just in case! They can also be used to garnish your drink glasses or a punch bowl.
Granulated sugar can be substituted with your favorite sugar substitute. Check your sugar substitute's package for the correct ratios (some are sweeter than regular sugar).
How to hull strawberries
To hull a strawberry, you'll need a small paring knife. Simply insert your knife into the top of your strawberry. Turn the strawberry, slicing a cone shape around the leaves and into the pale flesh underneath. Pop the top off your strawberry and discard.
The intent is to remove the green leafy top, as well as the pale center of your strawberry, leaving only the bright red exterior.
Here is a great article describing the steps of hulling strawberries: The Easiest Way to Hull Strawberries
Blending your strawberries
For this recipe, you'll be blending your strawberries (and a bit of water) in a blender. A food processor could also be used if you don't have a blender on hand. You're looking to blend your strawberries into a thin, smooth consistency.
Optionally, pour your strawberry puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove most of the seeds and any remaining lumps. Repeat as many times as desired for a smoother consistency.
Adjusting the sweetness
¾ cup of sugar and water will make a lightly sweet and tart punch.
1 cup of sugar and water will make a moderately sweet punch.
1 and ½ cups of sugar and water will make a very sweet punch.
Depending on whether or not your fruit is in season, they may add less sweetness to your punch. Because of this, you may want to add extra sweetener to suit your tastes.
Strawberry Limeade
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups water, divided
- 1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, juice from about 8 limes
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved - this should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- In a blender, add your hulled strawberries and 1 cup of water. Cover and blend until smooth. Optionally, pour strawberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds and lumps.
- Add strawberry mixture to a pitcher along with simple syrup, lime juice, and remaining 4 cups of water. Stir until incorporated.
- Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice and enjoy.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Sweetness may need to be adjusted if using out of season, less sweet fruit.
- ¾ cup of sugar and water = lightly sweet, tart punch
- 1 ½ cups of sugar and water = very sweet punch.
- Fresh strawberries can be substituted with frozen, thawed strawberries.
- Limeade will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.
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