Cilantro Jalapeno Limeade {Eating the Alphabet Series}

I'm joining the Eating the Alphabet challenge this month, and the letters for this month are I or J... and remember?... it's gotta be a fruit, vegetable, or legume/grain. Not many options that I could come up with... j for jicama, but I'm not sure that I like it. I could have been adventurous but in the end, I went with the good ole jalapeno.

So many possibilities! But the one that really intrigued me and won me over was this Cilantro Jalapeno Limeade. Don't give me that look! I figured I would either love it or hate it. The reviews were very good, so I hoped I would think the same. I told PJ that I was making this and he thought it sounded strange, which I expected. But I told you guys that I love an opportunity to change his mind. But would this recipe do that?...

The answer is yes! This limeade was somethin else. That perfect combination of tangy, tart, sweet, refreshing and spicy.

One of the best limeades I've had. 

Cilantro Jalapeno Limeade

ever-so-slightly adapted from Myrecipes

*Yields 2 large servings

• 2 and 1/4 cups water
• 3/8 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (and 2 large jalapenos)

• 1 tsbp sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 lime wedges, divided
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3-4 limes)
• ice

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro and jalapeno. Let stand for 30 minutes. Pour jalapeno mixture into a large bowl or leave in pot, cover, and chill for at least 3 hours. I let mine sit overnight.

Combine 1 tbsp sugar and the salt in a shallow dish. Rub rims of 2 glasses with a lime wedge. Dip the rims of the glasses into the sugar/salt mixture.

Strain cilantro and jalapeno mixture through a fine sieve over a bowl, discarding solids. Stir in lime juice. Fill each prepared glass with ice. Add limeade to each glass. Garnish with 2 remaining lime wedges.

Printable Recipe

This drink screams summer!  

So don't let your summer pass by without trying this pleasure. I know we will be making this plenty.

Peace, and bacon grease!