Description
Creamy Classic Brazilian Lemonade delivers a rich, velvety sip that surprises everyone who tastes it for the first time. You blend whole limes peel and all with sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water to build a frothy, creamy drink that balances bright citrus bitterness with deep, milky sweetness. This iconic Brazilian street drink, known locally as limonada suíça, comes together in under five minutes and disappears just as fast.
Ingredients
4 small Persian limes or 3 regular limes, quartered (unpeeled)
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
3 cups cold water
2 cups ice cubes
Pinch of salt
Extra ice and lime slices for serving
Instructions
1. Wash the limes thoroughly under cold running water, scrubbing the skin to remove any wax or residue.
2. Cut each lime into 4 to 6 wedges, leaving the peel on — this is what gives the drink its signature creamy bitterness.
3. Add the lime wedges, condensed milk, cold water, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
4. Blend on high speed for exactly 5 seconds — no longer, or the peel will release too much bitterness.
5. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher and pour the blended mixture through it, pressing gently to extract all the liquid.
6. Discard the pulp and peel solids left in the strainer.
7. Add the ice cubes to the pitcher and stir briefly.
8. Pour into tall glasses filled with ice, garnish with a lime slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
Blend for no more than 5 seconds — over-blending makes the drink bitter from the white pith.
Use Persian limes for a milder flavor, or key limes for a sharper, more intense taste.
Serve immediately after straining — this drink does not hold well and will separate if left to sit.
For a less sweet version, reduce condensed milk to half a can and add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup to taste.
You can substitute sweetened condensed coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours — shake or stir well before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 10 oz)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 17mg