This is the easiest, quickest and most effective way to make limonada, limeade, or lemonade. In Spanish we call it limonada regardless of whether we are using limes or lemons, and it can be made with either. I used to make limonada the hard way: squeezing the juice out each lime or lemon. Then one day back in high school (a long time ago) I was hanging out at my friend Marisha’s house. It was a warm day and lemonade sounded perfect. At first I was shocked when I saw her put a whole lime, several cups of water and sugar in the blender. I was sure that it was going to a disaster, the strong taste of of the skin and the bitterness of pith were going to ruin it. She blended and strained the limonada, as soon as I tasted it (expecting I would have to politely pretend I liked it), I was amazed at how good and refreshing it was. The lime or lemon skins actually enhanced it, there was a slight bitter taste, but it was very subtle and actually made the limeade or lemonade better.
Quick and easy recipe for making fresh homemade limonada, lemonade or limeade using the blender
Ingredients
- 2 limes or lemons, quartered and any seeds removed
- 8 cups of cold water
- Approximately ½ cup of sugar, more or less based on your preference
- Ice cubes as desired and lemon/lime slices to garnish
Instructions
- Place the quartered limes or lemons in the blender with 4 cups of water and sugar.
- Blend until the limes or lemon is completely pulverized, the mixture should be slightly foamy with a whitish color.
- Strain the lemonade and add the remaining 4 cups of water.
- Serve with or without ice based on individual preference.
Notes
Yes, you blend the whole limes/lemons, skin and all. It does get bitter quickly, so drink it the same day you make it.
Like it? Try these other fruity variations:
Strawberry lemonade
Cherry limeade
You can make this limeade or lemonade by just throwing the whole limes or lemons in the blender, but it does make it a little bit easier to quarter them. Also, on the sugar side, I don’t like my lemonade too sweet so I usually add a little bit less, but if I’m making this for guests I’ll add more since most people seem to like their lemonade or limeade sweet. My rule of thumb is 4 cups of water per each lime or lemon, but you can also adjust that based on how concentrated you like it and the size of the lemons/limes.
I’ve also turned this into “adult” lemonade by adding vodka, it’s great for parties where you can quickly make a pitcher of spiked lemonade – and it’s very quick to make refills (which are usually needed as it goes very fast). Finally, while this limeade or lemonade is very refreshing, it does tend to get bitter if left out for too long, so it should be consumed on the same day it is made, on a warm day that shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Step by step preparation photo for blender limonada, lemonade or limeade:
This limeade is amazing! I used a strainer and pressed all the juice out of the pulp with the back of a spoon. I also used half sugar and half Stevia. We gave up soda pop a while ago and I’m always looking for alternatives. This is definitely going to be a staple at our house.
I have a box of limes. can the limes (only) be pulverized and frozen? mix with water and sugar for later use?
I wouldn’t recommend that, as they would be probably be very bitter by the time you use them.
This sounds refreshing:-). I will try it; wanted to share the idea of using evaporated cane juice sugar (find in grocery natural foods section) or honey as sweetener for an added nurtritional boost. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I found this in a Google search for “easy limeade recipe.” Like the commenters before me, I thought it was rather interesting to blend the entire lime … but I did, and boy is it good! Thanks for this recipe!
I’m a little late to the party…..so good with a crushed mint leaf in the glass before you pour!
Wonderful recipe really tastes good with seltzer water
Just found your site about an hour ago & I made this immediately! (I had everything I needed.) I tossed in some strawberries & adjusted the recipe a bit. Tastes awesome! I’m Latina & love trying to cook new things! Can’t wait to try out many more of your recipes! Thanks a bunch!
Thank you for a wonderful, easy recipe! I’d gotten 2 bags of limes for free at our local fruit & vegetable market & thought limeade would be a perfect solution. I had broken my hand juicer, so this recipe was perfect! I’d never thought about using a blender before. I’m going to try a previous poster’s idea to blend some ice with it. My kids, ages 3 yrs. & 20 mos., loved helping me measure & pour the sugar, as well as drop the quartered limes in. I need to buy a smaller collander, though… my large one gets the limeade all over the kitchen! :) Thanks again!
My wife and I just made this. We she had the idea to blend it with some ice to make a slush and added a pinch of kosher salt to accentuate the sweetness, and it was delicious. Definitely going to make this multiple times a week. Now if I could just find that bottle of vodka we would have a party…
I had a couple dozen limes leftover from making Virgin Mojito’s and was looking online for a homemade limeade recipe when I came upon this one. I was like a lot of the other posters, thinking that this was not going to work out. But, hey what have I got to lose except 2 or 3 limes and a half cup sugar. OMG this is the best limeade I have ever had. It literally takes less than 5 minutes before you are enjoying the best tasting limeade ever. Thanks so much for sharing.