Apple Limeade
To vary this quick and easy drink, add 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves or 1 Tbs. peeled and finely grated fresh ginger to the juice mixture before refrigerating. Seek out unfiltered apple juice, also sold as sweet apple cider, for its intense apple flavor.
Ingredients:
- 12 limes
- 4 cups unfiltered apple juice
- Ice cubes as needed
- 1 bottle sparkling water
- 2 small Granny Smith apples, halved, cored and sliced
Directions:
Cut 10 of the limes in half and juice them. You should have about 1 cup juice. Reserve 6 squeezed lime halves and discard the rest.
In a large glass jar or pitcher, stir together the lime juice, apple juice and the reserved lime halves. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours to blend the flavors.
When ready to serve, cut the remaining 2 limes into 6 slices each. Fill a large serving pitcher half full with ice and add the sparkling water, lime slices and apple slices. Strain the apple juice mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher and stir. Pour into tall chilled glasses over ice and serve immediately. Serves 6.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Entertaining with the Seasons (Free Press, 2010).