Make Ahead

Mint Limeade

by:
April 23, 2010
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Serves about 2 quarts
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

Test Kitchen Notes

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 —The Editors

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Ingredients
  • 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
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Strain the leaves.
  3. 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.
Contest Entries

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56 Reviews

Taylor S. September 2, 2020
Very refreshing, loved this!
lora789 March 23, 2015
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Andreas D. March 23, 2015
The recipe links to weight loss snake-oil and has nothing to do with the recipe on this page. 100% spam.
lora789 March 23, 2015
Great breakfast smoothie recipe http://yumsmoothie.com/fruitsmoothie/breakfast-smoothie-recipe-is-the-best-people-could-invent
Andreas D. March 23, 2015
Can we get rid of the spam please.
Chef_Ian February 14, 2012
Delicious and refreshing! A must-have for all meals
vvvanessa March 2, 2012
thanks! i'm glad you're a fan!
wssmom July 2, 2011
I really love this (even without vodka or rum)!
vvvanessa March 2, 2012
ha! thanks!
chernado June 27, 2011
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!!
vvvanessa March 2, 2012
"nojito"! very clever!
Andreas D. June 26, 2011
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.
vvvanessa June 26, 2011
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!
This was delicious - a perfect summer refresher. Thanks!
vvvanessa June 26, 2011
thanks for trying it out. i'm glad you liked it!
BigBear June 10, 2010
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.
TheWimpyVegetarian June 12, 2010
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!
Stephanie V. May 20, 2010
I did make this on Mother's Day and it was a hit! And VERY simple to make!
AntoniaJames May 20, 2010
Made this for a party recently; I highly recommend it. Everyone loved it. So easy, so light and refreshing, and so tasty!! ;o)
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thank you for the feedback. i'm glad you enjoyed it!
Stephanie V. May 9, 2010
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!
EmilyNunn May 6, 2010
Congratulations to you, too. This is my kind of drink--lime, mint, bubbles. Crazy!
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
mine, too! thank you!
Congrats!! This looks so refreshing. I can't wait to make it.
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thank you! i hope you like it!
Stephanie V. May 5, 2010
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... ;)
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thanks, steph!
lapadia May 5, 2010
Cheers!!!
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thank you!
mrslarkin May 5, 2010
Congratulations! Can't wait to make this.
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thank you!
cheese1227 May 5, 2010
Congrats!
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
thank you! congrats to you, too : ) your drink is beautiful.
drbabs May 5, 2010
Congrats!
vvvanessa May 20, 2010
many thanks!
shef May 3, 2010
epic summer drink.