Get ready to fall head-over-heels for Brazilian Lemonade—a creamy, citrusy refresher that’s sunshine in a glass. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, this crowd-pleasing Brazilian classic whirls up to zesty, frothy perfection in minutes, making it your new go-to drink for all things summer (or whenever you’re craving something vibrant and sweet!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tantalizingly Refreshing: Each sip bursts with bright, tangy citrus and a hint of creaminess, cooling you down instantly on even the hottest days.
- Easy & Fast: With only five core ingredients and ten minutes, Brazilian Lemonade comes together quicker than it takes for your ice to melt.
- Showstopper Factor: That frothy finish and gorgeous pale green color make it an eye-catching drink for parties, BBQs, or just treating yourself.
- Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the sugar and condensed milk to make each pitcher exactly as sweet or creamy as your taste buds crave.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of familiar ingredients transform into Brazilian Lemonade’s signature creamy-tangy magic. Each piece is essential: from whole limes that bring a vibrant zing, to sweetened condensed milk for that luscious, velvety texture, and just a bit of ice for the ultimate cool factor.
- 5 limes: Use fresh, juicy limes—skin and all! Their zest gives this lemonade its signature tartness and delicate bitterness.
- 6 cups cold water: Super cold water ensures your drink is extra-refreshing and helps bring everything together in the blender.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances the tangy limes for the perfect sweet-tart punch; feel free to play with the amount for your sweet spot.
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (or more to taste): The secret ingredient that adds a creamy, almost decadent richness—totally unique to Brazilian Lemonade!
- Ice for serving: Chill your glasses with plenty of ice for that frosty, fresh-off-the-beach vibe.
Variations
Brazilian Lemonade is a wonder because it’s easy to tweak for tastes, diets, or whatever you have on hand. Don’t be shy—feel free to put your own twist on it and make this classic uniquely yours!
- Dairy-Free Delight: Swap the sweetened condensed milk for coconut condensed milk or a splash of coconut cream for a luscious vegan option.
- Alcoholic Twist: Stir in a shot of cachaça, rum, or even vodka to turn this into an unforgettable summer cocktail.
- Low-Sugar Version: Use your favorite sugar substitute, like stevia or monk fruit, and a lower-sugar condensed milk if you prefer a lighter sip.
- Minty Fresh: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the blender for an extra layer of cooling, herby flavor.
How to Make Brazilian Lemonade
Step 1: Blend the Limes, Water, and Sugar
Add the cold water, lime wedges (yes, peels included!), and sugar to your blender. Blend on high until the mixture looks cloudy and the lime peels are nicely blitzed up—this is where the punchy flavor comes alive.
Step 2: Strain the Mixture
Set a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour in your blended mixture. Let the tangy juice drain through, using a spoon to help extract every last drop of flavor. Discard the leftover lime pulp—you’ve squeezed out all the goodness!
Step 3: Add Sweetened Condensed Milk and Blend Again
Pour the strained lime juice back into your (rinsed) blender. Add the sweetened condensed milk, then blend again until the lemonade turns pale, creamy, and deliciously frothy. This step is what gives Brazilian Lemonade its signature cloud-like top!
Step 4: Pour Over Ice and Serve
Fill glasses generously with ice and pour the freshly blended lemonade over the top. For a true Brazilian flourish, garnish with extra lime wedges or slices and get ready to sip pure delight.
Pro Tips for Making Brazilian Lemonade
- Lime Selection Matters: Choose thin-skinned, juicy limes for the brightest flavor and avoid any with waxy coatings—freshness is everything here!
- Blend Briefly: Only blend the limes and water until just combined—over-blending can make the lemonade bitter from the rinds.
- Use a Fine Mesh Strainer: Straining thoroughly removes any tough bits and keeps your lemonade silky-smooth and frothy.
- Serve Immediately: Brazilian Lemonade tastes best freshly blended and icy cold—the froth fades after a while, so enjoy that cloud-like crema right away!
How to Serve Brazilian Lemonade
Garnishes
A sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lime perched on the rim transforms your Brazilian Lemonade from everyday to exotic. If you want to impress, add a twist of lime peel or edible flowers for an irresistibly festive touch!
Side Dishes
Pair your creamy, citrusy lemonade with smoky grilled chicken, empanadas, pão de queijo (cheese bread), or any light, summer-friendly fare. It’s a fabulous palate cleanser for spicy or salty foods, making every bite taste even better!
Creative Ways to Present
Pour Brazilian Lemonade into mason jars for a backyard barbecue, serve in elegant stemless glasses at brunch, or line up mini shooters for a garden party. Decorating with a multi-colored straw or sugared rim adds playful personality and extra sparkle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Brazilian Lemonade (lucky you!), store it in an airtight pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a good stir before serving, as the creamy layer may settle on top.
Freezing
While Brazilian Lemonade is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it in ice cube trays. Blend frozen cubes with a touch of water for a slushy treat, or pop them into sparkling water for a fun, citrusy ice cube twist!
Reheating
No reheating needed here! Simply give any chilled leftovers a thorough stir to reincorporate the creamy froth, then pour over fresh ice for the best experience.
FAQs
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Is Brazilian Lemonade actually made with lemons?
It’s a fun misnomer! Brazilian Lemonade is traditionally made with fresh limes (not lemons) in Brazil—the “lemonade” name comes from translation, but the zippy flavor is all thanks to those limes.
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Why do you blend the whole lime, peel and all?
Blending the lime wedges, peels included, gives Brazilian Lemonade its zingy flavor with a hint of natural bitterness from the oils in the zest—this sets it apart from regular limeade or lemonade.
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Can I make Brazilian Lemonade ahead of time?
You can, but for the very best frothed texture and brightness, it’s best just after blending. You can store it in the fridge for a day, though you may need to re-blend (or stir very well) before serving.
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How can I make Brazilian Lemonade less bitter?
If you’re sensitive to bitterness, blend the limes with water for just 20–30 seconds and avoid over-processing. Opt for thinner-skinned, very fresh limes and, if you prefer, cut away some of the white pith inside before blending.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried Brazilian Lemonade yet, now’s your chance to discover the delicious, creamy magic everyone raves about! It’s pure joy in a glass, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to make you smile—so go ahead, blend up a batch, and share the refreshing love with your favorite people.
Print
Brazilian Lemonade Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cool off with this refreshing Brazilian Lemonade recipe that combines the zesty flavor of limes with a touch of sweetness from condensed milk. Perfect for hot summer days!
Ingredients
For the Brazilian Lemonade:
- 6 cups cold water
- 5 limes (cut into wedges)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (or more to taste)
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Blend Lime Mixture: In a blender, combine cold water, lime wedges, and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the Mixture: Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the blended mixture into it. Discard the lime pulp.
- Blend with Condensed Milk: Rinse the blender, pour the strained lime juice back in, add sweetened condensed milk, and blend until frothy.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice, pour the lemonade, and garnish with lime slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
