Citric Acid Free Classic Limeade
Bright, refreshing, and made entirely from scratch, this homemade limeade is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel instantly better. The secret is a quick stovetop simple syrup that dissolves completely into the fresh lime juice, giving you a silky-smooth texture and perfectly balanced sweetness in every glass. For anyone avoiding citric acid as an additive, store-bought lemonades and fruit drinks can be a minefield ā that ingredient shows up in nearly every bottled option on the shelf. Here, the only "acid" is the natural juice squeezed straight from real limes, which is a completely different story. A fine-mesh strainer keeps things clean by catching seeds and pulp, so the final pour is clear and crisp. You can dial the tartness up or down with a splash more water, making it easy to customize for kids and adults alike. Pile the glasses high with ice, add a lime slice on the rim, and you've got a crowd-pleasing pitcher drink that's as clean and simple as it gets.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the simple syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the limeade
- 1 cup fresh lime juice (from about 8ā10 limes)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lime slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3ā4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool for 15 minutes until it reaches room temperature.
- 2
Juice the limes through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding any seeds and pulp, until you have 1 cup of fresh lime juice.
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