Make a batch of homemade strawberry limeade today. Refreshing, sweet, and tart, it's made from scratch with fresh strawberries and limes!
Recipe summary
Flavor: Sweet, tart, refreshing.
Only three ingredients. Made with fresh strawberries, limes, and sugar. That's it!
Yield: 72 ounces, or nine 8-ounce servings.
Great for: A hot summer day, Fourth of July, barbecues.
Similar to: Homemade Honey Limeade and Pineapple Mint Lemonade
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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.
- Limes - I recommend using fresh limes instead of bottled lime juice. The flavor is bright, fresh, and all-around superior. About 8 limes will make 1 cup of fresh lime juice.
- Granulated sugar - Can be substituted with your favorite sugar substitute. Check your sugar substitute's package for the correct ratios (some are more concentrated than regular sugar).
How to make strawberry limeade
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add sugar and water. Cook until sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. While your simple syrup is cooking, juice your limes into a liquid measuring cup.
- Hull your strawberries and add to the bowl of a blender. Add water and blend until smooth.
- Optionally, pour through a fine mesh sieve to catch the seeds.
- Add strawberry mixture to a pitcher along with lime juice, simple syrup, and remaining water. Stir to incorporate and refrigerate until chilled.
Tips and tricks
How to hull strawberries - Insert a paring knife into the top of each strawberry, then turn to slice a cone shape around the leaves and into the pale flesh underneath. Pop the top off and discard.
Why hull strawberries? - The intent is to remove the greens 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
Use a fine mesh sieve - Catch any remaining lumps and seeds left in your strawberries by straining through a sieve before mixing your limeade. Repeat as many times as desired for a smoother consistency.
Don't have a blender? - A food processor can also work in a pinch.
Adjusting the sweetness
It's easy to adjust the sweetness of your limeade to suit your tastes.
Lightly sweetened: Use ¾ cup of sugar.
Moderately sweet: Use 1 cup of sugar.
Very sweet: Use 1 and ½ cups of sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Limeade and lemonade are very similar! Both beverages are made with fruit juice, sugar (or other sweetener), and water. Limeade is made with lime juice, and lemonade is made with lemon juice. Otherwise, the drinks are identical.
Yes, substitute an equal amount of lemon juice for the lime juice to make strawberry lemonade.
Homemade limeade keeps for 2-3 days, but should be served the same day for best flavor. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
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📖 Recipe
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
- Out of season strawberries?: Sweetness may need to be adjusted if using out of season fruit that's less sweet.
- Less sweet: Use ¾ cup sugar
- Very sweet: Use 1 ½ cups sugar
- Fresh or frozen berries: Fresh strawberries can be substituted with frozen, thawed strawberries.
- Storage: Limeade will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator but tastes best the same day.
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