Homemade Frozen Limeade (Limonada Frozen)

By
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes is a freelance writer and recipe developer with a passion for South American food. She wrote a cookbook focusing on the cuisine of Brazil.
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Updated on 12/14/21
Limonada frozen - frozen limeade

The Spruce Eats / Marian Blazes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
201 Calories
0g Fat
53g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 201
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 18mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 50g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 9mg 45%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 36mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Although this lime drink is called a "limonada frozen" (limeade frozen) in Spanglish, it is actually a frozen limeade drink. Regardless of which name you use, the drink is very tart and refreshing.

This frosty delicious as is, but the addition of some passion fruit pulp or passion fruit juice is so good mixed into this drink. An excellent alcoholic version of the limonada frozen is the frozen pisco sour, which is made with Peruvian pisco brandy.

In some parts of Latin America, limes are grouped into the category of tart citrus fruits known as limones (lee-mone-ayes), since lemons are not widely available. South American limes are smaller, juicier and more tart than the larger Persian limes that are often sold in the United States. If you can't find South American limes in particular, look for small limes with thinner skins (often imported from Mexico) or key limes for making this recipe. It will make a difference.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups water

  • 1 pinch salt, optional

  • 1/2 cup key lime juice, from about 8 small key limes

  • 6 cups crushed ice

Steps to Make It

  1. Place limes in the microwave for 20 seconds on low power (or until they are just warm, not hot to the touch).

  2. Next, roll the limes around a few times on the counter, while pressing down with the palm of your hand.

  3. Bring the water and sugar (and salt if using) to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

  4. Remove from heat and cool. Then mix the sugar water, lime juice, and ice in a blender, and blend until well mixed and slushy.

  5. Serve immediately in tall glasses. 

Tip

You may be tempted to skip the step of warming up the limes in the microwave, but we encourage you not to. Warming up the limes helps them to release their juices, which helps you extract as much juice as possible from them.

Variation

You can make this limeade recipe alcoholic by adding a couple of shots of either vodka, rum, or tequila during the blending process. Experiment to see which combination you like the best.


This recipe can be made using a combination of lemons and limes, if desired, or a combination of lemons, limes, and oranges. Mango juice or mango pulp is also a great addition.

How to Store and Freeze Limeade

Limes are acidic and lime juice doesn't typically spoil very easily; it can keep for months and months. However, frozen limeade is best as soon as it's made, at least from a consistency perspective. If you refrigerate it after you make it, the ice will melt, but if you put leftovers in the freezer, the limeade will freeze. Any leftover limeade can be kept indefinitely in ice cube trays, if desired. You can pop them out and defrost them in a chilled glass, which should slow the melting rate.