Refreshing Jamaican Lemonade (Print version)
A cold Jamaican-style lemonade made with fresh lime juice, brown sugar, water, and optional ginger.
# Ingredients:
For the lemonade
01 -
8-10 fresh limes, enough for 3/4 cup (180 ml) juice
02 -
3/4 cup (150 g) packed brown sugar, plus more to taste
03 -
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger, optional
04 -
1 small pinch fine salt
05 -
5 cups (1.2 L) cold water
For serving
06 -
Ice, as needed
07 -
1 lime, thinly sliced
08 -
Fresh mint sprigs, optional
# Instructions:
01 -
Roll the limes on the counter to loosen the juice. Cut and squeeze them until you have 3/4 cup fresh lime juice.
02 -
Pour the lime juice into a pitcher. Add the brown sugar, ginger if using, and salt, then stir for 1-2 minutes until the sugar mostly dissolves.
03 -
Stir in the cold water. Taste and adjust with more brown sugar, lime juice, or water until the drink is tart, sweet, and balanced.
04 -
Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes if time allows. Strain if you want to remove ginger fibers or pulp.
05 -
Fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with lime slices and mint if desired. Serve cold.
# Good to know:
01 -
This drink is traditionally closer to limeade, even though it is called lemonade.
02 -
Taste before serving because lime acidity and sweetness can vary.
03 -
For a fizzy version, replace 1-2 cups of the water with sparkling water right before serving.