A friend of mine recently gave me over 30 limes from his tree. If you live in a place where citrus trees will grow, you know that when the fruit comes in on your tree, there is usually way more than you need, and you’re eager to give some away.
So what do you do when life delivers you limes? Make limeade, of course!
This refreshing summer beverage can be made with lemons or limes, but I think limes are particularly crisp and delicious tasting, especially in the summer heat.
Most recipes for limeade or lemonade call for white sugar, but I’ve made this recipe with honey because it is a more natural, unrefined sweetener, it’s non-GMO (most white sugar is from GMO sugar beets), and if you use raw honey, it also contains a bit of nutritional value. Honey is also GAPS-legal and Paleo-friendly.
You can substitute stevia in this recipe, if you are a fan of stevia, or are following a low-carb or low-sugar diet.
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Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups fresh lime juice freshly-squeezed This will take 10-20 limes depending on size and juiciness.
- 1/2 - 1 cup raw honey to taste OR 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. liquid stevia, to taste
- 6 cups purified water
- 4 sprigs mint or lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine water and honey, and heat just until the honey dissolves completely in the water. A half cup of honey is not too sweet. Add more if you prefer a sweeter limeade. (Skip this step if using stevia.)
- Allow honey water to cool completely while you juice the limes. (Skip this step if using stevia.)
- Wash the limes well and juice them using your favorite method.
- Mix the lime juice into the cooled sweetened water, and adjust sweetener to taste.
- Serve over ice, and garnish with mint sprigs or lime slices.
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I make this every summer with lemons it is really good! I’m doing Specific Carbohydrate Diet so my choice of sweetener is honey. Plus I’m a beekeeper so my honey is free. I also make a ginger ale drink using fresh ginger and I mix the sweetened ginger water with sparkling water. It is really good! I’m enjoying your site
Sounds delicious!
This looks delicious and I hadn’t thought of heating the honey and water first. I make a similar limeade using part Stevie and part raw cane sugar. I’ve read that using Stevia with a little sugar is better than alone. Can’t remember why now, but it also gives it a more natural taste. I make it by the glass with lots of ice, 3 T. lime juice (which I squeeze ahead and keep in a mason jar in the fridge) 2 t. raw cane sugar and enough pure organic Stevia to taste.
But I will try to honey with the Stevia since it would be even healthier.
Thanks for the idea.