Mint Limeade
Just three ingredients, other than water and ice: lime, mint and sugar.
Amanda makes sure not to leave a drop of juice in those limes. After all, you need a full cup of juice!
Mint, sugar and water are ready for their big moment on the stove.
The mint leaves turn a vibrant green as the liquid begins to heat up.
Then the color starts to dull, and the leaves crinkle up like toes that have spent too much time in the tub.
After the syrup cools, you strain out the mint leaves and make your drinks! Make sure to start with plenty of ice.
After the mint syrup, you add an ounce of that hard-won lime juice.
And top it off with club soda and a slice of lime.
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Author Notes: I love minty drinks when the weather starts to warm up. Add in some zippy citrus and bubbles, and I couldn't be more refreshed. Mint simple syrup can keep for a while in the fridge. It's a also great with lemon juice. - vvvanessa - vvvanessa
Food52 Review: Tart and refreshing, this limeade is a perfect drink for getting into the spirit of spring. The mint syrup is intensely flavored, so you don't need much, and vvvanessa applies a particularly light touch with this one sweet element -- which we found made for an invigorating (and highly quaffable) drink. If you've got a sweet tooth, just add a little more of the mint syrup. Simple and lovely in its pure form, this recipe would make a great jumping off point for all sorts of riffs. If you're so inclined, try adding a splash of vodka, or even light rum. - A&M - A&M
Serves about 2 quarts
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, washed with stems removed
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- ice
- club soda
- Make mint simple syrup by combining sugar, water, and mint in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil then immdiately allowing it to simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Strain the leaves.
- To assemble the limeade, add about 1 ounce each of the simple syrup and lime juice in a tall glass filled with ice. Top with about 6 ounces of club soda. Stir. Garnish with fresh mint or a lime wedge.
- Your Best Spring Refresher Contest Winner!
Tags: beverages, Drinks, lime, mint, refreshing
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over 1 year ago Chef_Ian
Delicious and refreshing! A must-have for all meals
about 1 year ago vvvanessa
thanks! i'm glad you're a fan!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
I really love this (even without vodka or rum)!
about 1 year ago vvvanessa
ha! thanks!
almost 2 years ago chernado
Great drink! I have been making "NoHijtos" for years with my mint plants in the garden but have found having the actual leaves in the drink less than ideal. With a supply of frozen lime juice and zest icecubes and the simple mint syrup (a perfect solution to mint leaves in my drink), this is the ultimate "NoHijto" recipe. Thanks!!
about 1 year ago vvvanessa
"nojito"! very clever!
almost 2 years ago Andreas
I tend to make this with a half syrup (1/2 parts of sugar to 1 part of water) otherwise it gets too sweet for me.
An interesting riff on this is to add, and hear me out on this, white wine vinegar. I learned this from a Persian friend of mine, who had a bottle of commercially produced syrup imported from Iran. On checking the ingredient list I was surprised to find vinegar, tried it and loved it. The vinegar is barely there and adds a little freshness to the drink. It's hard to describe, but worth trying out.
I add about three tablespoons to a 750ml (3 cups) bottle of syrup.
almost 2 years ago vvvanessa
thank you for trying out the recipe. i also tend to like a drink that is a little more tart, so i tend to add more juice and less syrup. and thanks for the vinegar idea! it sounds like a take on a shrub, which is a fruit-infused vinegar made into a refreshing drink. they are gaining popularity amongst bartenders and restaurants, probably because they are so delicious!
almost 3 years ago likestocooklovestoeat
This was delicious - a perfect summer refresher. Thanks!
almost 2 years ago vvvanessa
thanks for trying it out. i'm glad you liked it!
almost 3 years ago BigBear
This is so good. We make up the syrup and freeze it in ice cube trays. It's perfect - so refreshing and instantly available when using the syrup cubes.
almost 3 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian
What a great idea! I just made this - it's like 95F out there today and noone around here has air conditioning! Love this drink. It's the perfect refresher for hot summer days!
about 3 years ago Stephanie V
I did make this on Mother's Day and it was a hit! And VERY simple to make!
about 3 years ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Made this for a party recently; I highly recommend it. Everyone loved it. So easy, so light and refreshing, and so tasty!! ;o)
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thank you for the feedback. i'm glad you enjoyed it!
about 3 years ago Stephanie V
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be! My husband is heading to the market right now to get the limes, club soda and mint so I can make this at his mom's today. I just KNOW it's going to be a hit!
about 3 years ago ENunn
Congratulations to you, too. This is my kind of drink--lime, mint, bubbles. Crazy!
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
mine, too! thank you!
about 3 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian
Congrats!! This looks so refreshing. I can't wait to make it.
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thank you! i hope you like it!
about 3 years ago Stephanie V
Congratulations, Vanessa! Please let me know when the book is published so I can buy a copy! I'll have to get it signed by you one day... ;)
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thanks, steph!
about 3 years ago lapadia
Cheers!!!
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thank you!
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Congratulations! Can't wait to make this.
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thank you!
about 3 years ago cheese1227
Congrats!
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
thank you! congrats to you, too : ) your drink is beautiful.
about 3 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Congrats!
about 3 years ago vvvanessa
many thanks!
about 3 years ago shef
epic summer drink.
about 3 years ago marzipanmarcia
This is definitely going to become my summer standby beverage... but vodka might find its way in, too!
about 3 years ago vanessavv
Good Luck....<3
about 3 years ago MelanieCurry
Yum-o! I'm thinking that I could make this into popsicles or ice cubes! I will definitely use this at a future girls night out!