Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (Limeade)
This Brazilian Lemonade is a creamy, refreshing drink that’s perfect for any hot summer day. Ready in just 10 minutes, this tangy beverage uses whole limes rather than just lime juice, creating a unique flavor that will make you come back for seconds.
Also known as Limonada Suíça (Swiss Lemonade), this creamy summer drink combines fresh limes with sweetened condensed milk for a heavenly tropical drink experience. It’s a simple recipe with only four ingredients, but the result is a sweet drink that’s unlike any classic lemonade you’ve tried before.
Looking for more refreshing drink recipes? Try my How To Make Watermelon Lemonade for another fruity option or my Jalapeno Cucumber Lemonade for a spicy twist.
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: This Brazilian Limeade comes together in just 10 minutes with minimal effort. Simply blend, strain, and serve for a refreshing treat on those busy days when you need something special but don’t have much time.
- Creamy Texture: The addition of sweetened condensed milk creates a uniquely creamy lemonade that’s both refreshing and indulgent. It’s this unexpected ingredient that transforms an ordinary citrus beverage into something spectacular with your first sip.
- Simple Ingredients: With just four easy-to-find ingredients – fresh limes, water, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk – you can create this delicious drink without running to specialty stores or breaking the bank.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it immediately over ice cubes for a cooling drink, or pour into popsicle molds for a frozen treat. You can even make a whole batch to keep in a large pitcher for entertaining guests on a hot day.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Ingredient Notes:
- Fresh Limes – Small limes with smooth skins work best as they contain less white pith, reducing the chance of bitterness in your drink. Give them a good scrub before using since you’ll be blending the entire lime, peel and all.
- Water – Cold water helps keep the drink refreshing and balances the intense lime flavor. Split between the initial blending and final mixing for the perfect consistency.
- White Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness to balance the tart lime flavor. You can adjust the amount to your preference, but the recipe’s ratio creates the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – The secret ingredient that gives Brazilian Lemonade its signature creamy texture and rich flavor. This transforms the drink from a typical limeade into a luscious, memorable beverage.
Substitutions and Additions
- Coconut Milk – For a dairy-free option, substitute the sweetened condensed milk with cream of coconut or coconut milk mixed with additional sugar to maintain the sweetness level.
- Lime Varieties – While regular Persian limes are traditional, you can experiment with key limes for a different flavor profile. Just be aware they may have more seeds to strain out.
- Simple Syrup – Replace the granulated sugar with simple syrup for smoother integration if you’re concerned about sugar dissolving completely.
- Berry Infusions – Add a handful of fresh strawberries to the blender for a strawberry limeade variation that adds color and flavor.
- Mint Leaves – Add a few fresh mint leaves when serving for an aromatic enhancement to the drink.
How to Make Brazilian Lemonade (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Quarter 5 small limes and place them in an 8-cup blender with 4 cups of water. (Photo 1)
STEP 2. Blend for one minute on high speed to extract the flavorful oils and juice from the limes. (Photo 2)
STEP 3. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl and slowly pour the lime mixture through it. (Photo 3)
STEP 4. Using a rubber spatula or large spoon, press the lime pulp left in the strainer to extract as much juice as possible. (Photo 4)
STEP 5. Rinse the blender and add the strained lime juice mixture back to it. (Photo 6)
STEP 6. Add the remaining 2 cups of water, 1 cup of white sugar, and 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk to the blender. (Photos 6, 7 & 8)
STEP 7. Blend on low for about 1 minute until everything is thoroughly combined.
STEP 8. Gently scoop off the foam from the top if desired (this is optional based on texture preference).
STEP 9. Serve immediately over ice cubes with lime slices as garnish. (Photo 9)
Recipe Tips
- Lime Selection – Choose limes with thinner skins to reduce the amount of white pith, which can make your drink bitter. The rind contains essential oils for flavor, but too much pith creates bitterness.
- Blending Time – Don’t over-blend the limes in the first step. One minute is sufficient to extract the flavor without releasing too much bitterness from the peels.
- Straining Technique – Take your time when straining to ensure you remove all the lime pulp and pieces of peel. This step is crucial for a smooth, enjoyable drink.
- Temperature – For the most refreshing result, use cold water and serve immediately over ice. If making ahead, chill thoroughly before serving.
- Sweetness Level – Adjust the sugar to your taste preference. The recipe creates a balanced sweetness, but you can add more or less depending on how sweet you like your drinks.
Storing Tips
- Storage: This Brazilian Lemonade is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for limited time.
- Refrigerator: Store your Brazilian Lemonade in a pitcher or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, but the drink is at its best within the first 24-48 hours.
- Freezing: While freezing the drink as a whole is not recommended due to separation issues, you can pour the lemonade into popsicle molds for a delicious frozen treat that will last several weeks.
- Reusing: Before serving refrigerated lemonade, give it a good stir or quick blend as separation may occur. Add fresh ice cubes to each serving for the best experience.
Serving Suggestions
This Brazilian Lemonade makes a perfect accompaniment to summer meals. Serve it with Cilantro Lime Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos for a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors, or pair it with Rustic, Refreshing Peach Gin Fizz for a drink-themed gathering.
For a complete summer entertaining menu, serve this alongside Easy Lemonade Slushie Recipe for variety or offer 3 Ingredient Rose Lemonade Cocktail as an alcoholic alternative for adult guests. This drink is versatile enough to complement nearly any meal, especially those served on hot summer days.
Recipe FAQs
In Brazil, the word “limão” can refer to both lemons and limes, which causes some translation confusion. The traditional Brazilian Lemonade recipe specifically calls for limes, not actual lemons, as they provide the distinctive flavor this drink is known for. The green, slightly more bitter lime creates the perfect balance with the sweet condensed milk.
Bitterness usually comes from blending the limes too long or using limes with thick peels and lots of white pith. Next time, limit blending to just one minute and choose limes with thinner, smoother skins. You can also try removing some of the white part of the peel before blending if you’re having a hard time finding thin-skinned limes.
While a blender is ideal for extracting the essential oils from the lime skin, you can use a food processor instead. If you don’t have either appliance, you can make a modified version by juicing the limes and zesting the outer green portion of the peels (avoiding the white pith), then mixing with the other ingredients. However, the flavor won’t be as robust as the traditional blended version.
Yes! The sweetened condensed milk gives Brazilian Lemonade its signature creamy texture, which sets it apart from other citrus drinks. If your drink doesn’t look creamy, you may need to add a little more condensed milk or make sure it’s being properly blended with the other ingredients.
Absolutely! You can substitute the sweetened condensed milk with coconut milk plus additional sugar or use a dairy-free condensed milk alternative. The texture will be slightly different, but the flavor profile will still be delicious and refreshing.
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Brazilian Lemonade (Limeade)
Equipment
- Mesh Strainer (mesh sieve)
- Spoon (large)
Ingredients
- 5 Small Limes washed
- 6 Cups (1 3/7 l) Water
- 1 Cup (200 g) White Granulated Sugar
- 7 Ounces (198 ½ g) Sweetened Condensed Milk
Instructions
- Quarter 5 small limes and place them in an 8-cup blender with 4 cups of water.5 Small Limes,6 Cups Water
- Blend for one minute on high speed to extract the flavorful oils and juice from the limes.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl and slowly pour the lime mixture through it.
- Using a rubber spatula or large spoon, press the lime pulp left in the strainer to extract as much juice as possible.
- Rinse the blender and add the strained lime juice mixture back to it.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of water, 1 cup of white sugar, and 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk to the blender.1 Cup White Granulated Sugar,7 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Blend on low for about 1 minute until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Gently scoop off the foam from the top if desired (this is optional based on texture preference).
- Serve immediately over ice cubes with lime slices as garnish.
Notes
- Lime Selection – Choose limes with thinner skins to reduce the amount of white pith, which can make your drink bitter. The rind contains essential oils for flavor, but too much pith creates bitterness.
- Blending Time – Don’t over-blend the limes in the first step. One minute is sufficient to extract the flavor without releasing too much bitterness from the peels.
- Straining Technique – Take your time when straining to ensure you remove all the lime pulp and pieces of peel. This step is crucial for a smooth, enjoyable drink.
- Temperature – For the most refreshing result, use cold water and serve immediately over ice. If making ahead, chill thoroughly before serving.
- Sweetness Level – Adjust the sugar to your taste preference. The recipe creates a balanced sweetness, but you can add more or less depending on how sweet you like your drinks.
Nutrition Information
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