When I was young, my parents took me to the beach every summer. Cape May, New Jersey. I loved it there as a child. Everything seemed so big and it was nowhere near as crowded as it is these days. We’d play on the beach during the day, and in the evenings we’d get in the car and drive down the shore to Wildwood, home of a wonderful boardwalk full of games and rides.
Every time we went to Wildwood my dad would take me to get French fries and a lime rickey. Sometimes he’d put vinegar on the fries, which I hated. Maybe he did it so I wouldn’t devour them—I’m still a fry fiend to this very day. But he’d always either share his lime rickey with me or buy me one of my own. I can’t remember for sure whether I actually liked the taste at that age or if I was just happy to be sharing something like that with my dad. But to this day I associate lime drinks with those evenings on the boardwalk and how happy I was.
This recipe is a nod to those times. It’s not a lime rickey, but it’s not too far off either. Instead of the seltzer, which I’ve learned I’m not a big fan of as I’ve gotten older, this is a straight-up ade with lime juice, water, sugar…and jalapeño. That spice is what puts this refreshing drink over the top—just a little heat accent to elevate the sweet and sour.
I think this might be one of my favorite recipes I’ve posted so far—probably because of the memories I’ve attached to it. But I think you’ll love it, too. So give it a try and tell me what you think! Tag #nutfreevegan on social media and show me your photos.
Jalapeño Limeade
Ingredients
- 6 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 cups lime juice about 8 limes
- 2 Tbsp. agave
- 2 large jalapeño peppers halved lengthwise and seeded
Instructions
- Mix 2 cups water with sugar until sugar is dissolved.
- Stir in lime juice and agave.
- Add remaining water and peppers.
- Put in fridge for at least four hours.
Nutrition
I liked it but 8 lines was not enough