Introduction: Tasty Homebrew Lower-sugar Lime Soda (Limeade)
I really like lemonade and limeade, but I find most of what one can buy to be far too sweet, and far too diluted. Put simply, most store-bought drinks just don't have enough citric acid.
So into the laboratory (kitchen) I went, to mix up a batch of the perfect lime beverage. After years of research, I present to you, the internet public, Jeff's Limeade: a refreshing, lightly sweet, carbonated beverage with bite.
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
Making good JL (Short for Jeff's Limeade, of course) is a simple process. Start with lime juice (Fresh squeezed is best, bottled a decent alternative. Do not under any circumstances use fake stuff, such as anything labeled "mix."), cold carbonated water, sugar (Superfine will dissolve better in cold liquids), and some sort of beverage holding container.
Step 2: Pour the Lime Juice
I could tell you to add a quarter cup, but the truth is everyone has their own taste. I usually fill a glass about a quarter of the way up with lime juice.
Step 3: Add Sugar
Note that this step takes place *before* the adding of water. Why? Because if you add superfine sugar to carbonated water, a mini mentos and diet coke reaction takes place, as the sugar provides a nucleation site, allowing the gas to bubble out of the liquid rapidly and causing a mess.
As to how much sugar you should add, personal taste again. I usually go with about two-three teaspoons.
Step 4: Add Water, Stir, and Enjoy
Add the water of your choice, and stir. Top with ice if you have it, and enjoy!
*NB: Lemon juice can be used instead of lime juice. I just like lime more.
25 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
i just got a water carbinator and made the soda...IT WAS AWSOME!!!
10 years ago on Step 4
Looks very refreshing with a little bit of a "pucker"! I'm a "sweetart" myself so I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks!
11 years ago on Introduction
Make it with pomegranate juice, so you can call it Pom-ade. LOL!
But seriously, this is awesome!
13 years ago on Introduction
some intigent I may not able to buy in my location What a shame! Nice tutorial
14 years ago on Introduction
does your lime juice say Not from connecticut
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I'm sure it's "not from concentrate." ;)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
wow lol i guess thatt makes sense
15 years ago on Introduction
Rated: "Outstanding" Because it's true. I now have a craving for Sprite though :P
15 years ago on Introduction
Awesome instructable, I am going right out to buy the stuff and try it!!
15 years ago on Introduction
This looks SO GOOD! I have trouble finding sodas etc, that are string enough, so I end up making a lot of really strong Kool-Aid. I am going to try this as soon as possible!
16 years ago on Introduction
This is awsome I cant't wait to make it.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Thank you! Let me know if you like it.
16 years ago on Introduction
I want to make this stuff! Then I want to make different flavours! It's hard to find a good pop that doesn't have hundreds of lethal chemicals. I like 'the pop shoppe' stuff.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Agreed. You can also make good Italian soda by using flavored syrups instead of lime juice and sugar.
16 years ago
Lime is so good. Interestingly the lemon and lime flavors are stereoisomers, which means they are mirror image molecules. So the difference between them is sort of similar to the difference between a left hand and a right. I'm not sure how lime is so much better than lemon though.
16 years ago
If you go to a health food store and get some Stevia sweetner you can skip the sugar and calories by adding Stevia. The great thing about Stevia is it is all natural and will lower your blood sugar. I often take half water and half apple juice and add Stevia and it tastes like great not watery and for diabetic it cuts the sugar in half.
Reply 16 years ago
I like stevia. There's some incredibly odd "I can't believe the government would be that dumb and or corrupt" story behind its legality, which I don't have time to look up right now, but I know it has to be sold as a "dietary supplement" and not as a sweetener. That said, it, along with splenda, are the best tasting sugar substitutes. But I like sugar. It's brain fuel.
16 years ago
Ocean spray pink greatfruit juice 40% + cheep club soda 60% ... Try it you'll like it ..... I came up with this concocktion because my GF liked the greatfruit soda they sell at that coffee Chain ... you know the one ... it 1.75 for a 12oz bottle.. ouch.. this is a great mix for people that can stand greatfruit or club soda .. like me I love it.. They seem to cancle out the nastyness in each other ... like me and my GF ...
Reply 16 years ago
:). I really like fruit juice concentrates for that sort of thing too. They're also great when combined with ice for an excellent slushee.
16 years ago
If you don't buy superfine sugar, or are too lazy to get some for this, put regular poor people sugar into your handy food processor, or if you're REALLY broke like me, use a mortar and pestle to get it good and fine for good dissolving.