Strawberry Limeade is the perfect summer drink for BBQ’s or a mid-afternoon treat. Keep this mix in the fridge and enjoy your limeades on demand all summer long.
It’s the first full week of June, which means it’s time to start a new monthly series! In May, we did an entire month of Nerdy recipes. This month, we’re returning to the once-a-week themed recipe model and making a BBQ menu!
I’m starting with a beverage, and over the next three Mondays, we’ll have a BBQ-friendly side, entree, and dessert so at the end of the month, you’ll have an entire delicious BBQ menu ready to go.
For the beverage, I went with a strawberry limeade mix, because nothing says summer to me like a limeade.
Were you a limeade kid? I was. Sonic was one of the few drive-through places near my house growing up, and my family would take late-evening trips in the summer and go get one of their cherry limeades.
As an adult, I rarely drink soda, so I hadn’t had a limeade in yeeeeeears. When I was putting this menu together, a limeade immediately came to mind. I had some strawberries left over from my Strawberry Mimosas, and limes and Sprite from my Red Wine Popsicles, so I whipped up a quick batch of limeade mix to see if I even still liked them.
Um yes. Yes I do.
I had forgotten how a glass of limeade is like sipping summer over ice. The strawberry gives the drink a deeper, more interesting flavor than the traditional cherry, and a hearty squeeze of lime juice is so crisp and refreshing as you sip that you’ll wonder why you don’t drink these all year round.
Making these as a mix is really convenient too. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, so you don’t have to worry about finishing up a huge pitcher of limeades or letting it go to waste, and it lets your friends and family control how much limeade goodness they want in their drinks, which is great, because everyone has very different levels of sweet preference.
Strawberry Limeade Mix
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Strawberry Limeade Mix
- 2 cups (about 12oz) sliced strawberries
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons lime juice about 2 limes
To Serve
- Clear soda
- Lime slices for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine strawberries and water. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove strawberries. Wipe out pot and discard strawberries. Return strained juice to the pot. Return to heat and add sugar. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture is just slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat, add lime juice, and stir. Transfer syrup to a mason jar.
- To use, add one to two tablespoons of the mixture to 1 cup of clear soda (if you would like to use unsweetened soda water, use 2-3 tablespoons or to taste).
- Garnish with lime slices and enjoy!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I’ve never had limeade or been to a Sonic, but I did drink a lot of Kool Aid! I love your bbq theme idea ’cause I LOVE me some barbecue. I bet this would be lovely for a weekend cocktail, too, with the addition of vodka or rum. Pinning 🙂 Have a great week, Tracy!
Tracy says
Thanks, Dawn! And you have the best ideas. Now I’m wondering how early is too early in the day to start spiking my limeades… 😉
Kaye says
If you are a Buffett fan, I guess you could just remember…”It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere ” 🙂
Tracy says
LOL, Kaye. I do love that song!
Peter Block says
This is the perfect mix for the summertime. And we could certainly upgrade to an adult beverage as well.
Tracy says
Thanks, Peter!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
What an excellent, refreshing summery beverage! I love some limeade too but don’t have it…well ever. This mix would make so easy to enjoy some when we’re in the mood.
Tracy says
Thanks, Annemarie! That’s me. I was trying to remember the last time I had one and I seriously couldn’t remember. So it was fun having this mix around the house for a couple of weeks. 🙂
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says
these look delicious and so refreshing! You’re right I love limeade and never make it! Making the concentrate is a great time saver! Headed out to get some strawberries and limes!
Tracy says
Thanks, Beth!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Looks absolutely delicious. I’m not a big soda or sweet drinker but this looks so refreshing. I’m sure the grandkids would love it. Thank you for the recipe.
Tracy says
Thanks, Marisa!
Rahul @samosastreet.com says
What an absolutely delicious and refreshing drink for these hot summer day!!
Tracy says
Thank you, Rahul!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com says
Your strawberry limeade mix is a great start to your BBQ menu! Looking forward to all of the following recipes! The strawberry/lime combination is amazing and so refreshing!
Tracy says
Thanks, Miriam!!