Sparkling Citrusade

We had this tonight with our Labor Day barbecue (just burgers, fruit salad, sliced cukes and canned baked beans).  The drink was tasty and pretty easy to make.  I made the simple syrup (sugar dissolved in boiling water) the night before so it had a chance to chill.  I didn't have the recipe in the kitchen while we were making this, and had remembered it called for "2-3 limes" but not the exact amount of juice.  (Later, I saw it was 1/4 cup it called for).  Anyway, our 3 limes yielded 2/3 cup of juice, and we just put it all in.  I used about a liter of sparkling water, all the simple syrup, the juice of 3 lemons, 3 limes, and one large orange.  The drink was very good and citus-y!  :) 

Since I didn't really measure things, the following is just a loose recipe... adapt it to your tastes.  I did measure the sugar and water for the simple syrup, though. 

Sparkling Citrusade
adapted from Food

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

the juice of 1 large orange

1/2 - 2/3 cup fresh lime juice, to taste (2-3 limes)

1 liter sparkling water, chilled

1.  In medium saucepan over high heat, bring water and sugar to a boil.  Boil for 1-2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.  Allow to cool, then put in a covered container in fridge and chill until cold (overnight is good).

2.  In a large pitcher, combine fruit juices and sparkling water.  Add simple syrup to taste (you may use all of it and you may not, depending on how sweet you want it).  Add some ice and lemon or lime slices to garnish, if desired. 

3.  Serve immediately.

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