Fresh Lime Juice
Fresh lime juice is bright, tart, and quick to make with just limes, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Serve it over ice as a simple drink, or keep a small pitcher in the fridge for mixing into sparkling water, iced tea
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mDrinks
Fresh lime juice is one of the simplest drinks you can make at home. It tastes cleaner and sharper than bottled lime drinks, and you can adjust the sweetness to fit your taste.
This recipe makes a light limeade-style drink, not straight concentrated lime juice. The water softens the tartness, the sugar balances the citrus, and a tiny pinch of salt helps the lime flavor taste rounder.
Use fresh, heavy limes if you can. They give more juice and a brighter flavor than dry or hard limes.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 4 servings
- 6 medium limes, enough for about 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 cups cold water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- Ice, for serving
- Lime slices or mint sprigs, optional for serving
02How to make it
Step-by-step
Wash the limes
Rinse the limes under cool running water and dry them. This is especially helpful if you plan to drop lime slices into the finished drink.
Roll the fruit
Place each lime on the counter and press it gently with your palm while rolling it back and forth. This breaks some of the inside membranes and makes the limes easier to juice.
Cut and juice
Cut the limes in half crosswise. Squeeze them with a citrus juicer, reamer, or your hands until you have about 3/4 cup juice. Remove any large seeds.
Strain if desired
Pour the lime juice through a fine-mesh strainer if you want a smoother drink. Leave the pulp in if you like more texture and a stronger fresh-lime feel.
Dissolve the sugar
In a pitcher, stir the sugar and salt into 1 cup of the cold water until mostly dissolved. This helps the sweetener mix evenly instead of sinking to the bottom.
Mix the drink
Add the fresh lime juice and the remaining 2 cups cold water to the pitcher. Stir well, then taste.
Adjust the balance
If the drink is too tart, stir in 1 tablespoon more sugar at a time. If it tastes too sweet or strong, add a little more cold water.
Serve cold
Fill glasses with ice and pour the lime juice over the top. Garnish with lime slices or mint if you like, and serve right away.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can juice the limes up to 2 days ahead. Store the plain juice in a covered jar in the refrigerator, then mix with water and sugar before serving.
- Storage: Finished lime juice keeps well in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Stir before serving because a little pulp may settle at the bottom.
- Freeze extra juice: Freeze fresh lime juice in ice cube trays. Once solid, move the cubes to a freezer bag and use them in drinks, marinades, or sauces.
- Swap the sweetener: Use honey, agave, maple syrup, or simple syrup instead of granulated sugar. Liquid sweeteners mix in faster than dry sugar.
- Make it sparkling: Replace 1 to 2 cups of the still water with chilled sparkling water. Add it just before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
- Troubleshooting tartness: Limes vary a lot. If your drink tastes harsh, add more water first, then sweeten a little at a time.
Cook's note
For the clearest flavor, avoid bottled lime juice here. It works in a pinch for cooking, but fresh limes make a noticeable difference in a simple drink like this.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
How many limes do I need for 3/4 cup juice?
You usually need about 6 medium limes, but it depends on their size and freshness. Heavy limes with thin, smooth skin tend to be juicier.
Can I make this without sugar?
Yes. You can leave the sugar out for a very tart drink, or use a sugar-free sweetener that you already like. Add it slowly and taste as you go.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
You can, but the flavor will be sharper and less fresh. If using bottled juice, start with 1/2 cup, then add more to taste.
Why add salt to lime juice?
A small pinch of salt does not make the drink taste salty. It helps soften the sour edge and makes the lime flavor taste fuller.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double all ingredients and use a large pitcher. Taste before serving because some batches of limes are more sour than others.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
4 servings
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium74 mg
- 3%
- Total Carbohydrate16 g
- 6%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars13 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium6 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium53 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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