I gave up diet Coke (again) a couple months ago. Most of the time I don't miss it, but sometimes you just want an icy cold drink with lime-y goodness mixed in. This week I've found a superior substitute!
Earlier this week I escaped to the Uintas and the Mirror Lake Highway for some hiking and stopped by the town of Kamas on the way home for lunch.
The Hi Mountain Drug store has a soda fountain and restaurant that is adorable, and I highly recommend a stop (its only about 40 minutes from Salt Lake; well worth the drive). After hiking all morning, I ordered the Fresh Lime Squeeze--boy was it tasty. I watched the server mix it up and asked her what was in it--pretty simple stuff (which I generally have in the house anyway, except the soda). So, now I'm hooked on this new beverage.
What you'll need:
Fresh limes
Seltzer water
Simple Syrup (instructions below)
Ice or a chilled glass
Make the simple syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heating over medium heat until the sugar is all dissolved and the liquid is perfectly clear (I made a 1 c. sugar/1 c. water batch so I could make several glasses without having to make up syrup each time).
In a chilled glass, add 4 Tablespoons of simple syrup and the juice of 1 1/2 limes and 1 1/2 cups of seltzer. You can add more syrup if you want it sweeter or more lime juice if you like it tart. I think I'm going to swing by the store and pick up some of "pellet" style ice--I think it would make it even better. I picked up my limes at the Hispanic grocery store because they always have them for less $ (I bought a bag of 15 for about $1).
Sit outside and enjoy the summer sun and the tart lime of your fresh lime squeeze--and head to the Mirror Lake Highway--its gorgeous up there.
