Brazilian Strawberry Limeade

As the days are getting hotter,  I like a  glass of something cold to drink.  Today, I made some Brazilian Strawberry Limeade.  I got the idea for this beverage from my earlier post  Brazilian Lemonade from "Our Best Bites".  I  added once cup of sliced fresh strawberries to the original recipe of limes, sugar, water,  and condensed milk.    The mixture is blended, strained, stirred,  then poured over a tall glass of ice.  The result is a  a wonderfully refreshing drink that is not too sweet or too tart.


Brazilian  Strawberry Limeade
Adapted  from "Our Best Bites"

Ingredients:
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
4 juicy limes
1 cup sugar
6 cups  water
4-6 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk


Directions:

1. Make a simple syrup consisting of 1 cup hot water and 1 cup of sugar.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the simple syrup and remaining water into a pitcher and chill until ready to use.
 Note:  This step can be done ahead of time.
2. Puree strawberries.  Press the mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into the pitcher you will serve the limeade in using the back of a spoon.  Discard the seeds.
3.  Wash limes thoroughly with soap.  Cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into eighths.

4.  Place half of the limes in a blender.
5.  Add half of the sugar water.  Place the top on your blender and  pulse 5 times.

6. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher (the one you will serve the limeade in) and  pour the blended mixture through the strainer and into the pitcher.  Use a spoon to press the rest of the liquid into the pitcher.

7.  Dump the pulp and stuff in the strainer into the trash.
8.  Repeat with the remaining limes and sugar water.
9.  Add  4 tablespoons  of the sweetened condensed milk. Stir until mixed.
10.  Taste and adjust sweetness if needed - add some more condensed milk.
11.  Serve immediately over lots of ice.

Makes 4 servings

Minty Limeade

Need a go to cool and refreshing beverage to help you make it through the upcoming hot summer months?   I have got one for you - Minty Limeade.  The cool refreshing taste of mint mixed with the citrusy coolness of limes.   This limeade has an extra refreshing flavor. Perfect for the upcoming hot summer days.  

Let's begin making our limeade.  Start by making a mint syrup.  Sprigs of fresh mint are added to a simple syrup of sugar and boiling water.  Let the syrup cool to room temperature or make ahead of time and put it in the fridge.   In addition to the mint leaves in the syrup, fresh mint leaves are chopped and put into the bottom of the pitcher.  Pour your syrup over the mint leaves.  Next add the fresh lime juice and water.   Stir and your limeade is ready to serve.

I added a little extra touch by dipping the rims of the glasses in sugar.  Doesn't take much time and makes your drink special. 


Minty Limeade
From Our Best Bites and Adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

For the Syrup 

2 cups water

2 cups white sugar

2-3 sprigs fresh mint

 

For the Limeade

1 3/4 cups freshly squeezed lime juice

8 cups cold water

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves

Ice

Garnishes 

Fresh mint sprigs

1/2 cup sugar

Instructions 

1. Bring water to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Add  the sugar and stir  until the syrup is clear - the sugar has dissolved.  Add the mint sprigs.   Allow to cool at room temperature or place in the refrigerator. The syrup can be made a few days ahead of time.

2.When ready to serve, place the chopped mint leaves in the bottom of the serving pitcher.  Remove the mint sprigs from the syrup. Add the syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice, and 8 cups of cold water. Stir well.

3. Place the 1/2 cup of sugar on a small plate.  Using a damp paper towel, wipe around the rim of each glass and then invert the glass into the  sugar. Carefully fill the sugar-rimmed glasses with ice cubes and pour the limeade into the glasses to serve.

 

Makes 12 servings

Cherry Limeade

It was a scorcher here the other day.  We decided to have a cookout in order to keep the house cool.  To go with our cookout, I made some Cherry Limeade.    My kids have loved this beverage ever since they got their first taste of Sonic Cherry Limeade.   Over the years I have changed this recipe and have finally settled on a version that the family loves.

I start out by pitting and cutting in halves a pound and a half of fresh cherries.  I put them in a saucepan with some water, chopped mint, grated lime zest, and some sugar.

I bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer the cherry mixture for about 20 minutes or until the cherries are soft.   I remove the mixture from the stove and let them cool.

Once the cherries are cool, I process them in a blender.  I strain the cherries over a large bowl and pour the juice into a large pitcher.  To the pitcher, I add lime juice, chia seeds that have been soaked in water,  and the remaining water.  I then stir and serve over ice.  A wonderfully refreshing beverage for a hot summer day.   Enjoy:)

Cherry Limeade


Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound cherries, washed, pitted, and sliced in half
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 cup sugar
4 cups water, divided
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 cup lime juice

Directions:
1. Place cherries, chopped mint, grated lime zest, sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until cherries are soft.
2. Remove cherries from heat and cool.  Soak chia seeds in 1 cup of water for at least 30 minutes.
3. Process the cherry mixture in a blender until smooth.  
4. Strain the mixture over a large bowl.  Discard the pulp.  Pour the juice into a large pitcher.  Add the chia seeds, lime juice, and remaining water.  Stir and serve.


Makes 2 quarts