If you want to make a fancy beverage, add this one to your repertoire. It would be great at parties, lovely at a Mexican themed baby shower (we had one!) and just plain refreshing if you’re sitting outside on a hot day. The cilantro isn’t too pungent, so I’m pretty sure you could fool a few cilantro haters into drinking some. And who knows…you might convert a few people to Team Cilantro.
Try it and report back!
And we’re off!
Ingredients. Simple.
Juice the limes.
Make the simple syrup. Sugar & water. Heat until sugar is dissolved.
Add the cilantro to the syrup. Let it steep for a bit.
Strain the syrup into a jar.
And if you’re taking the show on the road you’ve got a jar of lime juice, simple syrup, bubbly water & cilantro/lime for garnish.
In a big pitcher, add in the lime and cilantro.
Pour in the bubbly water. Add the lime juice.
Add in the cilantro simple syrup. Take a taste and see if it needs more. Adjust accordingly.
Serve with a lime wedge and a little bit of cilantro.
Now that’s REFRESHING.
Cilantro Limeade
makes 4
recipe from Whole Living Magazine
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 1 cup cilantro sprigs, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup seltzer water
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (from 8 to 10 limes)
• Lime wedges, for garnishMake cilantro syrup: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat, add cilantro sprigs, and let steep 5 minutes. Strain, discard sprigs, and let cool.
Stir together seltzer, lime juice, and 10 to 12 tablespoons syrup in a large pitcher. Serve over ice & garnish with cilantro and lime.
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50 Comments
say somethingAmazing! I bet that it would be pretty good with a splash of gin thrown into the mix as well…
Yes, it’s 9:30am on Monday morning, but I thought of gin too.
Gin! Brilliant! So much better than tequila
Kind of like a cilantro martini. I did one of those once but went with muddled cilantro instead of the syrup and it was a little messy… but the syrup would probably be a bit better.
oooooooh i am SO into this!
also? that up there is a really pretty picture of some limes, lady.
NICE LIMES.
I’m a cilantro fanatic.. can’t wait to try this out.. it will be my first beverage on my new back deck (in the midst of a move myself I can sympathize.. uh! ) Perhaps I’ll add a splash of tequila? Vodka? hmmm decisions, decisions..
Hilarious — I *also* had a longstanding aversion to cilantro that I managed not only to overcome, but to overcome so fiercely that I love it like CRAZY now. Sometimes I just pluck the leaves off and chew them while I’m cooking, and I always toss a handful into green salad. Insane to think at one point I didn’t like that stuff.
You know what was the next aversion I overcame? Mayo. And I’m never looking back!!
YES! I’ve been loving herbal infused drinks.
I was right there with you on the cilantro aversion…but I guess we just grow wiser with age, ha! Team Cilantro!
I’m currently involved in a torrid love affair with cilantro so I cannot WAIT to make this. Mmmm.
I have been trying for years to overcome my ridiculous aversion to cilantro. I’ve gotten to the point where I can handle it if it’s in stuff (it actually used to make me gag), but I would never seek it out. sigh. someday I’ll be as cool as you, tracy.
this is pure genius…i started drooling at the title!
OMG! I just saw this recipe as well in the current issue of Whole Living and the kids and I made it yesterday.
I love this beverage and I love that magazine. We are on a cilantro kick at my house making everything from cilantro-lime mayo to cilantro-lime yogurt to this beverage.
I love how you showcased it all in those adorable polka dot glasses.
This is great! Being pregnant I am totally missing refreshing warm weather cocktails! This is total going on my to do list!
I love cilantro in drinks! Your limeade looks so refreshing.
OMG this should be so fresh from the cilantro, this is such a good idea to pair it with the lime!!! Making it asap!
How cilantro-ish is this on a scale from 1-10?
I still haven’t jumped the fence and think cilantro tastes like soap.
Maybe if I take some of your readers advise and mix in alcohol it’ll make the learning curve smoother..?
(p.s. like your blog a lot and listens to you and Joy’s podcast where you encourage comments from readers and listeners which made me come out of my shy shell)
I’d say about a 5. You can always tone it down…or just make limeade if you’re not into it.
I love cilantro but I feel that way about lavender. Any food that it’s in just tastes like soap!
i want to violate this wholesome limeade with shots of tequila!
I like that, and you!
I’m glad you’re past the dark ages because I LOVE cilantro. Also, this would have been PERFECT for yesterday afternoon. Would you believe it was actually hot in the city? Hope all is well, friend!
I’m going to add lots of gin to this. Is that okay?
I was just all jazzed up about this drink, but this plus gin? I must get on this immediately.
I love that everyone wants to put gin in it!!! YOU ALL GET ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought you might find this article intersting! Cilantro Haters, It’s Not Your Fault http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/dining/14curious.html
Do you have one of those sodastream machines? I’ve been contemplating getting one, but I just can’t decide. I thought I glimpsed one of those bottles in your pictures.
Yes! I do. It’s great. We love ours!
Oh. My. Blazer. I HAVE to make this now! I am a corriander nutter these days. Why is it half past nine on a May Day Bank Holiday???? Tomorrow I will surely make this!
You have the best drink recipes ever!!
Yum, how good would that be with mint as an alternative to cilantro – like a Mojito!
Probably excellent!
ooooh! I like this idea! I’ll definitely have to try it after I make tracy’s green tea/lime/tarragon deliciousness. just got the ingredients for that bev yesterday.
This looks amazing! I think I’ll try a sugar-free version with liquid stevia. Hopefully my cilantro plant grows back this summer!
i can’t even think straight – this looks so, so good! we’ve got about 15 cilantro plants growing in the garden right now. i guess i know what i’ll be drinking all summer
I totally want to like this. I really do. But. Cilantro tastes like what I imagine licking a sweaty armpit would taste like. I think heeding the suggestion of using mint instead is in order.
Thanks for the recipe!
Do you have any party planning ideas for that Mexican themed baby shower you mentioned? I’m currently planning my baby shower and LOVE Mexican food…Any insight would be helpful. I love pictures, too
New to your blog – I was reading the first few posts to get a feel for it (even though I’ve heard you mentioned on Joy the Baker several times)…not only did the lime/cilantro combo draw me in (pregnant with my first and can’t get enough of either of those two flavors) but then you said you overcame your cilantro aversion (been there, done that) and then you took it a step further, with your may mistrust. I am right with you and now completely sucked into your blog.
So glad you’re here. Mayo is noooooo good. But you already know that
Congrats on your pregnancy. I ate cucumbers & green grapes like it was going out of style!!
Tracy I made it yesterday with some spicy Indian snacks and we just loved it. It was so simple and refreshing that I called up my mom and shared the recipe with her.
made this for taco night and it was a big hit! so glad summer is almost here so i can make this ALL of the time! thanks so much for such a great idea
thanks for the inspiration – I added ginger and some lemon zest to the syrup. I try to figure out with which sort of booze I can mix it, thinking Gin
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