Description
Easy 3-Ingredient Brazilian Lemonade proves that the most satisfying drinks need nothing more than a handful of simple pantry staples. You blend whole limes, sweetened condensed milk, and ice-cold water together to create the same creamy, frothy, tangy drink that street vendors across Brazil have served for generations. No fancy ingredients, no special equipment, no prep — just three things and five minutes standing between you and the most refreshing glass of your day.
Ingredients
4 small Persian limes, quartered (unpeeled)
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
3 cups ice-cold water
Instructions
1. Wash the limes thoroughly under cold running water, scrubbing the skin well to remove any wax or residue.
2. Cut each lime into 4 to 6 wedges, keeping the peel fully on — the peel is essential to the drink’s signature creamy bitterness.
3. Add the lime wedges, sweetened condensed milk, and ice-cold water to a blender.
4. Blend on high speed for exactly 5 seconds — no more, no less — to emulsify the mixture without over-extracting bitterness from the peel.
5. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher and immediately pour the blended mixture through it, pressing gently with a spoon to push all the liquid through.
6. Discard the lime pulp and peel solids left in the strainer.
7. Pour directly into tall glasses filled with ice and serve immediately.
Notes
This recipe proves you need nothing extra — just limes, condensed milk, and water for a perfect Brazilian lemonade.
The colder your water, the frothier and creamier the final drink will be — use water straight from the fridge or add a few ice cubes to the blender.
Blend for exactly 5 seconds — this is the most important step. Over-blending releases harsh bitterness from the white pith inside the peel.
Persian limes are the best choice for this recipe — they are thin-skinned and less bitter than regular limes.
If you want a less sweet drink, use half a can of condensed milk and adjust to taste.
Serve immediately — this minimalist drink separates faster than versions made with fruit additions.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 24 hours in a sealed jar and shake well before drinking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 10 oz)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 63mg
- Fat: 4.3g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 3.9g
- Cholesterol: 17mg