Brazilian Lemonade
Brazilian Lemonade with condensed milk is not your average lemonade, my friend. This tangy, creamy, refreshing drink is a dreamy way to cool down when the weather warms up. But it’s delicious enough to serve all year long!
Brazilian lemonade is a popular beverage in Brazil and Brazilian steakhouses here in the States. That’s where I first discovered it, and it was love at first sip. The perfectly tart sweetness complements grilled meats and veggies like nobody’s business.
The best part? You only need four ingredients to make it! This super simple recipe comes together in about 5 minutes tops. Quick and easy for the win! 🙌
Isn’t Brazilian Lemonade Technically Limeade?
Why yes! Yes, it is! There are no lemons in this recipe, only limes. So, why is it called lemonade? Likely, it’s because in Portuguese (and Spanish), the word for lime and lemon is the same.
I like calling it lemonade because your guests get a beautiful surprise. This vibrant, creamy green drink shows up instead of the classic lemonade look they were expecting. 💚
Recipe Ingredients
- Limes – This “lemonade” gets its citrusy kick from fresh, ripe limes. But hey, if all you have are lemons, make lemonade with condensed milk for pure heaven.
- Sugar – Sugar cuts the acid of the citrus and makes this drink nice and sweet. 🫶🏿
- Sweetened Condensed Milk really makes Brazilian lemonade special. It adds a unique and delightful sweet creaminess to the drink.
- Water – To prevent the beverage from being overly tart or sweet, we balance it with water and some ice for serving! 🧊
How to Make Brazilian Lemonade
- Scrub the limes, then cut them into about 8 wedges.
- Blend – Add limes, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, water, and ice to a blender. Pulse 7-10 times (too much pulsing will extract too much of the pith and make it bitter). (Photos 1-2)
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove rinds and pith. (Photo 3)
- Serve – Pour into a chilled glass over ice. Enjoy!!! (Photo 4)
Recipe Variations
- Don’t like sweetened condensed milk? Want to cut back on the sugar? Try Brazilian lemonade with coconut milk. The full-fat version tastes best.
- You can use an alternative sweetener in place of sugar if needed. Stevia works well, but just know that this kind of sweetener can alter the taste of the lemonade.
- No limes? Make this with oranges, and it tastes like an orange creamsicle. 🤤
- Brazilian lemonade cocktail. You can’t go wrong with adding a little alcohol. A splash of coconut rum or cachaça makes an amazing, boozy Brazilian lemonade.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t pulse the ingredients in the blender too much. If you do, it will take on a bitter taste. Remember, you’ll strain out the rinds, so there’s no need to completely process the lime wedges.
- For a special touch, serve Brazilian lemonade in chilled glasses.
- Don’t want ice to water down the lemonade? Freeze some Brazilian lemonade in an ice tray and use the cubes to keep the drinks cold instead of regular ice.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Make this 1-2 days ahead of time, and keep it in your fridge in a pitcher with a lid. Give it a stir before serving.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve Brazilian lemonade over ice in chilled glasses. Store leftovers in the fridge in a pitcher with a lid for 3-5 days. Yes, you can freeze it in serving-size portions in a plastic freezer bag or jar. Glass might break from the pressure.
What Goes With Brazilian Lemonade
Use Brazilian lemonade as a finishing touch for a Brazil-themed meal with dishes like feijoada with collard greens and rice. For dessert, try brigadeiro or tangy passion fruit pudding cake. 😋
More Refreshing Drink Recipes to Try
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
Brazilian Lemonade (Limeade)
Ingredients
- 2 limes
- 3 cups (700ml) water
- ⅓ cup (60g) sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons (45-60ml) condensed milk
- 2 cups ice cubes plus more for serving
Instructions
- Scrub the limes, then cut them into about 8 wedges.
- Add limes, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, water, and ice to a blender.
- Pulse 7-10 times (too much pulsing will extract too much of the pith and make it bitter).
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove rinds and pith.
- Pour into a chilled glass over ice. Enjoy!!!
Tips & Notes:
- Don’t pulse the ingredients in the blender too much. If you do, it will take on a bitter taste. Remember, you’ll strain out the rinds, so there’s no need to completely process the lime wedges.
- For a special touch, serve Brazilian lemonade in chilled glasses.
- Don’t want ice to water down the lemonade? Freeze some Brazilian lemonade in an ice tray and use the cubes to keep the drinks cold instead of regular ice.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
I was wondering if I can use just lemon juice and regular lactose free milk?
I’m sure it would be fine. The flavor and texture might be slightly different, and it won’t be as sweet. But that’s not a bad thing.:wink:
I juice the limes and zest the peels avoiding the seeds, pulp, and white fiber (bitter)…..my version has extra lime kick!
oh great to hear that. Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Do you de-seed the limes?
You can remove the seeds before blending if they have them. I never have because the limes I get are seedless.
Can I use lemons instead? Really NOT a fan of lime.
Yes you sure can.
Love love LOVE this but do I have to make it with the ice? Since I’m pouring it over ice and I have a smaller blender I was wondering if I could skip out on it? Lol
Hi Sam! You can skip out on it but I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say how the condensed milk could blend well if you just pour it over ice. Let me know how it turns out, if you try it that way 🙂 Enjoy!
Real cooler, amazing recipe for real refreshments
Hi! I was wondering if you use sweetened or unsweetened condensed milk? Thank you!
I use sweetened condensed milk
Can evaporated milk be used instead of the condensed milk
Yes of course if you don’t want the sweet flavouring that condensed milk provides. Please come back here and let me know how it turns out.
Do I have to make this with limes, can lemons be used as a substitute?
You can definitely use lemons, however lemons have a different flavor than limes but the usual tang will still be there.
What is the qty of milk .. i usually like the right measurement..1/3 milk what do you mean ?
Hi Bridget! Recipe updated. Please check out the measurements again. Thanks 🙂
I really want to try this, but I need to know something, because I am using ninja blender, can I just press the refreshing button to make this ?
I will try this
Awesome! Do let me know how it works out for you.
i was wondering if pulse meant to blend and if so, are you blending with seeds in it.
Yes, pulse means blend . I usually do it with seeds- It’s hardly enough time for them to grind. To be on the safe side remove seeds before blending.
Love this used homemade condensed milk and the results are wow breathtaking can one add spices likes maybe cinnamon or nutmeg? Will try out next time
You sure can. I really like it with a touch of nutmeg.
OMG! I just made this! My kids and I are in love. Who knew lime and condensed milk could delivers such a fruity, creamy drink? Thanks Imma, for this idea. Next time I will try it with coconut milk.
Awesome Precious! Thanks for taking the time to let me know
This is the perfect drink for this hot day here in Miami. It’s refreshing, sweet and lemony!
I agree! Perfect for this weather.
It’s best served right after is made. Do let me know how it works out for you ! Thanks!
Got to try this!
So you blend the whole wedges with the peel on!?
Bet it’s good with some Cachaça :¬D
Yes you do! AND yes to some cachaca.
Oh my goodness this looks yummy! Will this keep in the fridge or should it be served right after it’s made?
Can you substitute Soy milk for the condensed milk?
I don’t see why not .
Looks refreshing. Do you use a regular blender or a Vitamix? I’m concerned my basic blender won’t be able to handle pulsing the lime with its peel.
Bonoca, I used blendtec. I think a regular blender would do fine. You only have to pulse it a couple of times. DO NOT pulse more than the recommended amount of time. After making this several times. I suggest you make it only when you are about to serve it . It gets bitter over time.Let me know how it works for you.