Refreshing, sweet, and creamy - Brazilian Lemonade is an easy and delicious summer drink that is made entirely in a blender! Serve over ice to cool off during those hot months.
This drink seems to go viral on social media during the summer, but for good reason! It's quick, unique (to most of us Americans), and comes together really easily using a blender and a mesh sieve. Keep it as a mocktail, or add your favorite liquor to turn the party up!
The Coined Breakdown
- Total Cost per serving (7 oz.): $0.86
- Total Cost (56 ounces): $6.89
- Those Other Guys: $8.99 per glass
Ingredients
- Limes - Although we call it lemonade in English, the base of this drink is limes! Grab some good, medium-sized ones from the store.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - This sweetens the drink and tones down the bitter taste of lime. It also makes the lemonade nice and creamy!
- Ice - For serving. Spice up your final presentation with shaped ice cubes.
Variations and Substitutions
Frozen Brazilian Lemonade: Instead of serving over ice, blend the ice cubes into the drink. So good!
Cocktail Ideas: Make this drink extra tropical by adding rum or tequila at the end.
How to Make Brazilian Lemonade
Using limes instead of lemons gives a stronger citrus flavor and a slight tang. But don't worry; using my tips below, you won't have a bitter sip at the end!
Step 1: Add quartered limes to a blender with water.
If you're sensitive to bitter flavors - zest the green peel, then scoop out the flesh. Discard the white pith; that's the bitter part of the fruit.
Step 2: Blend for about 10 seconds. Strain the juice out into a container.
Rinse the blender out, then add the lime juice and sweetened condensed milk.
Blend until smooth, then serve over ice. It's that easy!
Recipe Pro Tip
- Don't get bitter. Traditionally, this is made with whole limes. However, if you're sensitive to bitter flavors... zest the peel, and scoop out the flesh of the limes. The white layer that you leave behind is the bitter part.
Recipe FAQs
The Portuguese word for lime is limão - which is also used for lemons. So Brazilian Limonada uses green limes, even though the word translates directly to lemonade.
Use my tip above and remove the white layer underneath the peel (known as the pith) before blending - that's the bitter part of the fruit.
If you've already got a super bitter lime juice, blend it with ice to help water it down. You can also add a little extra brown sugar to combat the taste.
Of course - this recipe works great as either a zero-proof drink or a cocktail.
Try stirring in tequila or rum before serving.
I recommend blending right before serving.
It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, but you will have to shake or blend again before serving due to separation.
Other Drink Recipes You'll Love!
If you tried this Brazilian Lemonade Recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Brazilian Lemonade
Equipment
- Vegetable Brush
- Chef's Knife
- Microplane optional
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Blender
- Can Opener
Ingredients
- 5 count limes about 14 ounces
- 4 cups water
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Wash and scrub your limes.5 count limes
- Slice the limes into quarters. Remove the white, stringy interior from the middle of the lime pieces.
- Add the quartered limes, peel and all, plus the water to a blender.4 cups water
- Blend on high for no more than 10 seconds.Blending for too long can make the limes bitter!
- Pour everything through a fine mesh sieve to strain the liquid into a pouring container.
- Rinse out the blender, then pour in the lime juice. You should have about 32 ounces of juice.Pour in the can of sweetened condensed milk as well.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- Blend until everything is incorporated.
- When ready to serve, pour over glasses filled with ice. Serve with extra lime wedges for garnish and enjoy!ice
Tyler Smith, II says
This was very refreshing! Slightly tangy, which is to be expected, but I used your tip to remove the pith and it was a great balance.
Shani H. says
Thank you for your review Tyler! 🙂