Use the pressure cooker to make this easy Instant Pot Lime Syrup, so a cold glass of Limeade is seconds away whenever the craving strikes! Plus, there are suggestions below on how to put fun twists on the typical Limeade beverage. Keep reading!
You’ve all likely enjoyed a cold glass of lemonade, but have you ever tried Limeade? Specifically, FRESH HOMEMADE LIMEADE?
Game Changer.
A few years ago, I created this Instant Pot Lemonade recipe, and it has been a summertime essential at my house ever since.
The first time I made my mom a glass of this Lemonade, she said, “This is good, but could you make me a lime version?”
First of all, sorry to my mama who has been waiting years for this day to come, and second, you can all thank my mama because this Limeade is FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC and is going to be your new favorite sweet drink on a hot day.
Now, to clarify, the Instant Pot isn’t making the Limeade drink, but the Lime Syrup that will then sweeten and flavor your water to make a glass or pitcher of Limeade.
And with a jar of concentrated Lime Syrup sittin’ in your fridge, this tasty sweet/tart beverage can be yours within seconds!
Just fill a cup with water, add your desired amount of syrup, and voila! You’ve been instantly transported to an exotic, sunny island for the 10 minutes it takes you to sip and savor your icy glass of Limeade.
Mommy-self-care at its finest.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE INSTANT POT LIMEADE
- CUSTOMIZED SWEETNESS: Starting with lime syrup means you can customize how sweet you want your glass of limeade! For just a hint of tart lime flavor, add 2 Tablespoons of lime syrup. For a more traditional sweet limeade, go for 4+ tablespoons.
- MAKE IT FIZZY: Have you ever had a carbonated Limeade? WOW, SO GOOD! Instead of plain water, use sparkling water. You can go with unflavored water or make it extra fun by using the flavored varieties. I highly suggest La Croix mango or coconut flavors with this lime syrup.
- MAKE IT FRUITY: Because Cherry Limeade is my mom’s favorite drink, I’m including that recipe below. However, you can swap the cherries for any fruit you like and give your lime syrup a fruity twist. Mango and raspberry are delicious options!
- SINGLE OR PARTY SERVING: Once you have your lime syrup, you can decide if you want just a single glass of Limeade or if you need a pitcher of it for a crowd. Directions for both are in the recipe card below.
HOW TO MAKE LIMEADE IN THE PRESSURE COOKER
- Zest and juice the limes
- Place lime zest, lime juice, and sugar in the pot; pressure cook
- Pour through a strainer
SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR DETAILED COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- ZEST IS IMPORTANT: When it comes to lemons and limes, a lot of the aromatic flavor comes from the zest. You will notice a big difference in flavor if you skip the zesting step!
- ZEST IT RIGHT: Make sure when you’re zesting the limes that you only get the colored part of the peel. Once you start getting into the white pith, it gets really bitter, and you don’t want that flavor in your syrup.
- USE FRESH LIMES: Make sure you’re using fresh limes! You want the juice AND the zest, so this is important.
- GET ALL THE JUICE: If your limes are hard and not giving up their juice very easily, warm the whole lime in the microwave for about 30 seconds. This will have the juice flowing much more generously!
- ADDING FRUITY FLAVOR: If you want to add a fruity twist to your lime syrup, use fresh or frozen fruit. After it’s cooked, smash the fruit to extract as much flavor as possible.
- SERVE ICE COLD: When it comes to Limeade, you want it as cold as possible! Crushed ice is my favorite.
HOW TO STORE AND FREEZE LIME SYRUP
- STORE: Store lime syrup in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- FREEZE: Lime syrup can also be frozen for longer storage. Because of its high sugar content, it stays soft enough that you can scoop tablespoons of syrup from the jar and then place them back in the freezer. Note: It becomes more solid if you add other fruit to your syrup.
VARIATIONS
- FRUITY: I’m including a cherry limeade recipe below, but you can swap the cherries for any fruit you like or do a variety! Mango, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, peaches, or even coconut chunks are all yummy flavor twists.
- HERBY: Mint and basil would be delicious here!
- SPICY: If you love chili-lime flavors, a sprinkle of chili powder is delicious!
I hope you give this fun recipe a try! The flavors of this Homemade Limeade are so much fresher and brighter than any storebought version you’ve ever had, trust me!
And I’m now officially my mama’s favorite for bringing her mason jars of fresh Limeade and Cherry Limeade. And if she responds in the comments below, I’ll know once and for all if she actually reads my blog 😉
Enjoy this sweet drink treat, friends!
MORE INSTANT POT DRINK RECIPES
TOOLS/INGREDIENTS USED
PrintHomemade Limeade Plus Cherry Limeade! | Instant Pot Recipe
Make your own Lime Syrup in the Instant Pot and enjoy a cup of fresh Limeade anytime!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
Classic Limeade
- Zest of 5 or 6 limes
- 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (about 5 or 6 limes)
- 3/4 – 1 cup sugar (see notes)
- 3 ½ cups water
Cherry Limeade
- Zest of 5 or 6 limes
- 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (about 5 or 6 limes)
- 3/4 – 1 cup sugar (see notes)
- 2 cups frozen cherries
- 3 ½ cups water
Instructions
- Add lime zest, lime juice, and sugar to the pressure cooker pot and whisk to combine. If making cherry limeade, add the cherries now as well. Secure the lid and turn the pressure release knob to a sealed position. Cook at high pressure for 1 minute for Classic Limeade and 5 minutes for Cherry Limeade.
- When cooking is complete, use a quick release.
- Whisk the liquid, then carefully pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. If making cherry limeade, press on the fruit to extract as much flavor as possible from it. This is now your lime simple syrup for making small or larger batches of limeade.
- At this point I like to pour the lime simple syrup into a pint size mason jar and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best to chill it completely before making a batch of Limeade.
- To make Limeade for a crowd, fill a pitcher with 3 ½ cups of cold water and lots of crushed ice. Add lime simple syrup and stir to combine. Taste and add more water for a more mild lime flavor if needed.
- To make smaller, individualized portions, add 3 – 4 Tablespoons of the lime syrup to 1 cup of ice water or sparkling water. Taste and add more syrup or water to adjust the taste if desired. Add a cute straw and enjoy!
Notes
- For a traditionally sweet Limeade, use the full cup of sugar. If you want it more tart, you can decrease the amount of sugar.
- Feel free to mix up the flavors as you please! I think mango, raspberry, blackberry, peach, and strawberry would be delicious.
- Nutrition facts are for Classic Limeade with 1 cup of sugar.
That’s amazing recipe.
thanks for sharing! i’m very like this post
Mama where are you, lol. I’m sure you’re her favorite now!!! I’m excited to make this. I have a Lime Basil plant and was wondering what you think of adding some and if so how. Would I crush or just add leaves, etc. Thank you.
Haha! Apparently she doesn’t read them :). I bet that lime basil would be incredible! Just throw it in whole with the sugar, no need to crush. That’s what I would try first.