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Brazilian lemonade is bright and rich all at once. It gets its creamy kick from sweetened condensed milk, plus it goes together fast. It’s just the thing for cooling off on a sunny afternoon or surprising friends with a zippy, silky drink.
The first time I whipped up Brazilian lemonade, the creamy flavor totally caught me off guard. Now, it’s in heavy rotation whenever we fire up the grill or hang by the pool.
Tasty Ingredients
- Ice cubes: they’re what keep your drink chilly and super refreshing, plus clear cubes just look awesome
- Sweetened condensed milk: adds loads of creamy richness, so double-check that your can is good and not expired
- Granulated sugar: gives the drink all the sweetness you want, using superfine helps it blend even better
- Fresh limes: for big, bold citrus flavor and that classic zip, pick limes that are smooth and shiny green, keep them unpeeled
- Cold filtered water: pulls everything together and makes each sip extra cool and clean-tasting
Simple Step-by-Step
- Serve with Ice:
- Top off glasses with lots of ice Pour the finished creamy lime drink in right before serving Pop on a lime wheel if you want it fancy
- Blend Everything Up:
- Grab your blender Fill it with cold water, lime chunks, and sugar Let it rip until you’ve got tiny bits of lime and the liquid’s cloudy with green specks
- Wash and Cut Limes:
- Use fresh water to give your limes a scrub, then chop them into wedges Leave the skin on so you get all that flavor
- Make It Creamy:
- Give your blender a quick rinse so you don’t get any straggler pulp. Pour your strained juice in, drop in the condensed milk, blend until frothy. Give it a taste — if you need more of that luscious texture, blend in a touch more milk
- Strain It Smooth:
- Take a mesh strainer and set it over a big bowl. Pour your mixture in. Use a spoon to squash out all the liquid from the pulp, then toss out what’s left in the strainer
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The best part for me is pouring in that condensed milk. Reminds me of those busy Brazilian markets where this drink is king. My kids tried it once and went wild, asking for more right away.
Keep It Fresh
This drink is at its best not long after you make it. In the fridge, it’ll get thicker because of the condensed milk. Got leftovers? Give the container a shake or a stir, and add a little water to loosen if you need. Don’t freeze it — the texture just turns weird.
Swaps and Options
No condensed milk? Sweetened coconut milk works for a dairy-free swap — just know it’ll taste different. Skip plain milk or cream, since they don’t bring enough sweetness or body. Use lemons if limes are out, but heads up, it won’t taste quite the same.
Fun Ways to Serve
This drink is a hit at cookouts, family hangouts, or picnic lunches. It pairs so well with grilled meats, spicy dishes, or anything Latin-inspired. Dress it up for parties with a bunch of colorful straws and lots of ice, or mix in some sparkling water if you want fizz.
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How It Got Started
Even though it’s called lemonade, in Brazil this is limeade all the way. Locals call it limonada suíça — or Swiss style — and you’ll find it everywhere from little juice stands to big cafés. What makes it extra special is tossing whole limes and condensed milk in the blender, a tradition that’s been around for ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use whole limes, rind and all?
Tossing everything in gives extra zip and bright flavor. You get that sharp citrus kick. Once you strain, you skip the pucker but keep the zing.
- → Can I make it less sweet or more creamy?
Definitely—just add more or less sugar and condensed milk. Tweak things till you find the balance you like best.
- → How do I make sure it's not bitter?
Be sure to really strain the lime mix after blending. That way you chuck the pulp and keep your drink super smooth (without any weird bitterness).
- → Do I need fancy water for this?
Any good, cold water works. Filtered makes the taste a bit fresher, but tap water can be fine in a pinch.
- → What if I want to prep it in advance?
It's way better fresh, but if you need to get ahead, blend and strain first. Add the condensed milk and ice only right before you pour it out.