Fresh Mint Limeade

Have you ever tried limeade made with fresh mint leaves? I really can’t say enough about how yummy it is! Of course limeade is delicious already–like lemonade’s quirkier, sweeter, and more flavorful cousin. But adding some fresh mint makes it irresistibly smooth, mellow, and refreshing…. Whenever I drink it, I just can’t put it down!

It also has a sweet spot (pun intended) in my heart since it is one of the favorite drinks made by the sweet Mexican cook when we visit Ensenada, Mexico for work trips with our church youth group. ALL of Lula’s cooking is amazing, but her “yerba buena” limeade is a standout favorite with everyone. We always drain it dry before dinner is even over!

“Yerba” is a term for grass, herb, or weed, and “buena” of course, means good. Together it’s the term for mint, but of course some of our young Mexican helpers like to tell the first timers that the limeade has “good weed” in it. I’ve never tried anything with actual weed in it but I can’t imagine it would taste better than this!

If you don’t have fresh mint growing in your own yard, you should consider planting some! It grows like a weed and spreads by itself, even if you have a brown thumb.

If you love cooking with fresh herbs, check out the cute kitchen herb gardens or cool bottle gardens by UrbanLeaf! (below)

Below is the blender I have (isn’t it cute?). It’s lasted me at least 6 or 7 years and I honestly like it better than the used Ninja blender I got because it is able to puree things much finer (like mint leaves or spinach when I make spinach pasta). Plus it comes in so many fun colors!

I hope you enjoy this simple summer recipe in your blender!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lime juice–use the bottled kind, or squeeze the little ones fresh if you’re as awesome as Lula
• 1 handful fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 quart water (4 cups–add only a cup at first to help the mint puree smaller)
• Optional: substitute ice for some of the water or add a dash of rum

Add the lime juice, sugar, mint, and a cup or so of the water to your blender. Start on low, then puree on high for a few minutes until the leaves are pureed as small as they will get.

Let it sit for a minute, add more water, and strain out the extra mint leaves with a mesh strainer if you’d like. If you’re adding ice, strain out the leaves first. Or leave them in as they’re supposed to be great for digestion (not just according to Mexican mamas).

For an optional twist, make your drink more grown-up with a dash of your favorite rum at the end (like a mojito).

Enjoy!

Check out some of my other garden fresh recipes, tips for growing your own herbs and veggies, and lazy gardening tips for beginners & busy people!