Saturday's Limeade

From Lemonade, by Fred Thompson. Published with permission. Harvard Common Press, ©2013. Photograph by Susan Byrnes.

• Servings: 8.

Fred Thompson, author of Lemonade, knows how to turn lemons into all types of satisfying beverages.  But in this recipe he's instead used fresh limes to create which just might become a summertime favorite.

Makes 1 quart concentrate, which will yield about 8 servings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• Grated zest of 2 limes
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 8 limes)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon kosher salt
• Chilled lemon-lime soda or sparkling water, as needed

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the zest, cover, and remove from the heat. Let steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and let cool.
2. Pour the cooled sugar syrup into a 1-quart container. Add the lime juice and salt and stir to combine. Chill, covered, until very cold. This will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 1 year in the freezer.
3. When ready to serve, pour equal amounts of the lime concentrate and lemon-lime soda or sparkling water into a tall glass over lots of ice.