Rodizio Limeade (regular & Diet) Recipe

Juice the limes

Roll whole limes on the counter to soften, then cut in half and juice until you have 1 cup (about 8–10 limes depending on size). Strain seeds and large pulp through a fine mesh sieve if you prefer a smooth beverage.

Dissolve the sugar

In the pitcher you'll use to serve (about 2 quart capacity), add the 3 tablespoons granulated sugar to 1/2 cup of the cold water. Stir vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved. (If sugar is stubborn, warm 2 tablespoons of water on the stove or in the microwave, dissolve sugar, then cool before adding to the pitcher.)

Combine ingredients

Add the strained lime juice to the pitcher with dissolved sugar. Pour in the remaining 2 1/2 cups cold water and stir to combine.

Add cream

Stir in 2 tablespoons heavy cream until evenly incorporated. The cream should add a silky mouthfeel without separating; if it appears to separate, stir vigorously or briefly whisk before chilling.

Chill and serve

Add 2 cups of ice to the pitcher (or fill individual glasses with ice) and stir to chill the limeade. Taste and adjust sweetness: add up to 2 tablespoons simple syrup or more sugar if desired. Pour into glasses, garnish with lime slices and optional mint, and serve immediately. If adding club soda for fizz, add 1 cup just before serving and stir gently.

Juice the limes

Prepare 1 cup fresh lime juice as described above, straining out seeds and large pulp.

Dissolve the sweetener

In the serving pitcher, combine 2.5 tablespoons sugar substitute with 1/2 cup of the cold water. Stir until dissolved. Some granular substitutes dissolve more slowly—if needed, dissolve in a small amount of warm water then cool before adding.

Combine ingredients

Add lime juice to the pitcher, pour in the remaining 2 1/2 cups cold water, and stir to combine.

Add lighter cream

Stir in 2 tablespoons half-and-half or light cream to achieve a creamy mouthfeel while keeping calories lower than heavy cream.

Chill and serve

Add ice to chill, taste and adjust sweetness with more sugar substitute if needed, garnish with lime slices and mint, and serve. Add club soda for fizz right before serving if desired.

Fruit juice swirl: For a flavored limeade, substitute up to 1 cup of the cold water with pineapple juice, mango juice, or 1 cup strawberry puree. Add the chosen juice when you combine the lime juice and water. Adjust sweetness after mixing because fruit juices add sugar.

Frozen Rodizio Limeade (blended): In a blender add the base limeade (omit the ice in the pitcher), 2 cups ice, and 1 cup of chosen fruit juice or 2 tablespoons additional simple syrup if you want it sweeter. Blend until smooth and serve immediately.

Fizzy version: Replace 1 cup of the cold water with club soda and add it just before serving to retain carbonation.

Garnish & presentation: Muddle a few mint leaves in the bottom of each glass for an aromatic touch, rim glasses with sugar if desired, and float a thin lime wheel on top. If using cream, stir gently to keep the drink uniform.