24 limes.  That’s how many limes lost their juicy little lives in the lime-juice bath massacre in my kitchen.  The strawberries were innocent bystanders, but they were necessary casualties.  (the carnage) ———>

Limeade seems to be all the rage these days.  Seems like everywhere I go there’s some new and different twist to it – pomegranate, cherry or mango, to name a few.  I’ve been ordering it all over the place and I’m not quite sure how it didn’t occur to me until now to make my own!

This is an easy, basic recipe that could be adapted to accommodate all kinds of different tastes.  This version is both tart and sweet, and a few fresh strawberries in each glass is a must for both flavor and presentation.  I tripled the recipe because we were serving it at our Johnsonville Brat Throwdown; I suggest at least doubling it because it disappears quickly!

Strawberry Limeade

Make simple syrup:  Dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1 cup water in a saucepan over low heat; let cool.  Combine with 1 cup lime juice (about 8 limes, buy a big bag at Costco which holds approx enough to triple the recipe), 2 cups water and fresh strawberries.  How easy is that?!!

By the way, the color in my glass of limeade is much different from how it looks when first made.  It’s the color of lime juice at first, and the longer the strawberries sit the darker it will get.  It will also take on a stronger strawberry flavor the longer it sits, too.

For a grown up version you could try adding some vodka.  I haven’t tried this myself, but I’m betting it would be mighty tasty!

I suggest putting it all in a big glass pitcher, add a ton of sliced strawberries and a bunch of quartered and halved limes – beautiful!

ps.  don’t miss out on our Country Bob’s Steak Sauce Giveaway!