Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Light, bubbly, cool, and crisp!
Taste: Bright, citrusy, and ultra-refreshing on a hot summer day.
Ease: A simple, make-ahead recipe that feels special.
Top Tips: I make the mint limeade strong (sweet and sour!) on purpose because I like to add a little sparkling lime water to it before serving.
Would I Make This Again? Yes! This is my all-time favorite homemade drink.
xoxo erin
Featured Comment
From Nicole: “Absolutely delicious and refreshing— highly recommend. It’s super easy to make and I 100% agree that you should really squeeze the mint when you strain it. If you want to make this into a cocktail, I recommend using gin”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this mint limeade. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Fresh mint leaves: Use plenty for the syrup and save some for muddling in each glass before serving. Look for vibrant, unbruised leaves.
- Lime zest: A bit of zest adds aromatics that deepen the flavor. Just remember, zest before juicing!
- Fresh lime juice: Squeeze it yourself for the brightest flavor. Bottled juice just doesn’t compare—trust me!
How to Make Mint Limeade
Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
1. Make the mint-lime syrup: Simmer simple syrup ingredients in a small saucepan, until the sugar melts and the lime/mint becomes fragrant. Steep and then strain, pressing the mint to maximize flavor.
2. Mix the base: Combine fresh lime juice and simple syrup in a 1-liter bottle. Add cold water to taste. You want it a bit concentrated since you’ll be topping it off later.
3. Prep the glasses: Drop a few fresh mint leaves into each glass. This is the chance to make it feel extra refreshing and fancy!
To Serve Limeade
- Mint-lime simple syrup: This should be chilled through before using—I like making it a day ahead so it’s ready to go.
- Sparkling lime water: Chilled to add the perfect fizzy finish. I like San Pellegrino Ciao!, but any brand will work!
- Fresh mint leaves: For muddling in each glass—this brings out that cool, minty flavor.
4. Muddle gently: Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to press the mint. Don’t pulverize—just enough to release the oils.
5. Add ice and limeade: Fill each glass with ice, then pour in the limeade base until the glass is about halfway to two-thirds full.
6. Top with bubbles: Finish with sparkling lime water for a fizzy kick. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a lime slice to elevate the presentation!
Recipe Tips
- Use a citrus juicer for quick, mess-free lime squeezing—especially helpful when you’re working with a lot of limes.
- The limeade base fits perfectly in a 1-liter bottle, making it easy to store, shake, and pour when you’re ready to serve.
- Don’t skip the muddling! A simple drink muddler brings out the mint’s fresh oils and makes every sip more flavorful.
Homemade Mint Limeade
Ingredients
Mint-Lime Simple Syrup
- 1½ cups water
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups fresh mint leaves
- Zest of 4 limes
Limeade Base
- 1¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- Mint-lime simple syrup from above
- Cold water
For Serving
- Ice
- 1 cup mint leaves
- Chilled sparkling lime water
- Extra lime slices and mint sprigs optional for garnish
Instructions
- For the mint-lime syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, fresh mint, and lime zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once simmering, remove from the heat and let it steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the mint to extract all the flavor.
- For the limeade base: In a large pitcher or 1 liter bottle, pour in the fresh lime juice and mint-lime syrup. Add cold water to fill the bottle. Shake or stir to combine. Taste—it should be bold and sweet since you’ll dilute it a little when serving with the sparkling lime water. Refrigerate until chilled.
- To serve: Add a few mint leaves to the bottom of each glass, then gently muddle to release the flavor. Add ice, then pour in the limeade base until the glass is about ½-⅔ full. Top off with chilled sparkling lime water. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a lime slice.
Notes
- Use a citrus juicer for quick, mess-free lime squeezing—especially helpful when you’re working with a lot of limes.
- The limeade base fits perfectly in a 1-liter bottle, making it easy to store, shake, and pour when you’re ready to serve.
- Don’t skip the muddling! A simple drink muddler brings out the mint’s fresh oils and makes every sip more flavorful.
Absolutely delicious and refreshing— highly recommend. It’s super easy to make and I 100% agree that you should really squeeze the mint when you strain it. If you want to make this into a cocktail, I recommend using gin 🙂
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us, Nicole! We’re so happy to hear how much you enjoyed this new recipe!
Delicious and tasty
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed the new recipe. Thank you for your positive feedback, Lidia!