Brazilian Lemonade (Limonada Suíça) is a refreshing Brazilian drink made with fresh limes, sweetened condensed milk, water, and ice. Despite the name, it’s actually made with limes, not lemons. The combination creates a sweet, tart, creamy beverage that’s incredibly popular throughout Brazil, especially during the hot summer months.
If you’ve never tried Brazilian Lemonade before, prepare to be surprised. It’s bright, refreshing, and unlike any lemonade you’ve had before.
A refreshment for the hot summers in Brazil
Growing up in Bahia, Brazilian lemonade was one of those drinks that appeared at family gatherings, weekend barbecues, and hot summer afternoons. It’s also sold on the streets and farmer’s markets alongside with Suco de Cana, which is another refreshing drink made out of sugar cane stalks. While the ingredients are simple, the combination of fresh limes and sweetened condensed milk creates a flavor that’s instantly recognizable to Brazilians. To this day, it’s one of the first recipes I make when temperatures start climbing.
-Silvia
Have you heard of Brazilian Lemonade yet? The recipe is quickly growing in popularity all over the world! But for me, someone who grew up in a small village in Brazil, this has been a refreshing and almost dangerously good drink I’ve been sipping on for years.
My authentic Brazilian lemonade recipe is a refreshingly creamy drink you’ll want to sip all summer long. It’s very different from my Pineapple Lemonade and Strawberry Chia Lemonade because it isn’t actually made with lemons. Instead, quartered limes, condensed milk, water, and ice are blended until frothy, smooth, and creamy.
Brazilian limeade (lemonade) is not only fun to drink but also fun to customize. I added mint leaves for an extra refreshing element, but you can easily play with the recipe to find your perfect flavor, level of sweetness, and amount of acidity. Feel free to add a few ounces of your favorite spirit, too!
Other Popular Refreshing Drinks to Try Next
Why Is It Called Brazilian Lemonade??
In Brazil, the word limão is used to describe several varieties of citrus fruits, including the small green citrus fruit that Americans know as a lime. As a result, what Americans would call limeade is commonly referred to as lemonade in Brazil.
This refreshing drink is traditionally known as Limonada Suíça, which translates to “Swiss Lemonade.” Despite the name, it has no connection to Switzerland. The “Swiss” reference comes from the use of sweetened condensed milk, a product historically associated with Swiss dairy production.
No matter what you call it, Brazilian Lemonade is loved throughout Brazil for its sweet, tart, and creamy flavor. It’s a popular choice for hot summer days, backyard barbecues, family gatherings, and celebrations.
Ingredients needed
This is an easy 4-ingredient lemonade recipe that isn’t actually made with lemons! Instead, whole limes are blended to give this drink a bright and tart lime flavor you’ll quickly fall for. Here are the ingredients you need:
- Limes – No juicing or zesting required! Quartered limes are blended with water, leaving behind a tart and acidic limeade. The leftover peel and pulp are strained from the drink before serving, so the finished result is nice and smooth.
- Water
- Condensed milk – This thick and almost syrup-like dairy product adds the creamy quality that sets Brazilian lemonade recipes apart from regular homemade lemonade. Using sweetened condensed milk will also help sweeten the batch, although regular condensed milk works for a less-sweet variation.
- Ice – To give the lemonade a slushy consistency that’s too good to pass up.
- Mint leaves – This is a not-so-authentic addition but I love how the leaves add life and extra refreshment to every sip.
Why Does Brazilian Lemonade Turn Bitter?
If you’ve ever made Brazilian Lemonade and noticed it becoming bitter after sitting for a while, you’re not alone.
The bitterness comes from the lime peel. Traditional Brazilian Lemonade is made by blending whole limes with water, which gives the drink its signature bright citrus flavor. However, the white pith and oils found in the peel can quickly release bitter compounds if the limes are blended for too long or if the drink sits for an extended period.
Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid.
Silvia’s Tips for Preventing Bitterness
- Blend briefly. About 20–30 seconds is all you need. Overblending extracts more bitterness from the peel.
- Strain immediately. If you plan on serving later, strain the juice immediately. this removes excess pulp and peel particles before they have a chance to affect the flavor.
- Use fresh limes. Fresh, thin-skinned limes tend to produce the best flavor.
- Serve right away. Brazilian Lemonade is at its absolute best within the first 15–30 minutes after it’s made. If I am going to serve right away I actually don’t strain, I keep the peel and pulp as is.
- Keep it cold. Use cold water and plenty of ice for the freshest flavor.
One of the things I love about Brazilian Lemonade is that it’s meant to be enjoyed fresh. In Brazil, it’s often blended just before serving and enjoyed immediately while it’s cold, creamy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart.
Variations
One of the best parts of this recipe is how easy it is to play with. Check out these ideas if you need inspiration:
- Without condensed milk – You can make Brazilian lemonade without condensed milk, but I recommend replacing it with a can of full-fat coconut milk to replicate the same luscious and creamy consistency.
- Sweeten it – Some variations of Brazilian lemonade involve sweetening the drink with sugar or sweetened condensed milk. If my version isn’t sweet enough for your taste, blend in 1 to 3 tablespoons of granulated white sugar, simple syrup, or agave syrup.
- Instead of mint – Use fresh basil leaves.
- Use lemons instead of limes – Replace the 6 limes with 3 lemons instead.
- Make it a cocktail – Make this drink with 4 to 6 ounces of white rum, vodka, or Brazil’s most popular spirit, cachaça!
Frequently asked questions
Despite its name, Brazilian Lemonade is traditionally made with limes. In Brazil, the word limão is commonly used for several citrus fruits, including what Americans know as limes. Fresh limes give this drink its signature sweet, tart, and refreshing flavor.
This recipe makes enough for 4 glasses of Brazilian lemonade or enough to fill 1 pitcher. It can easily be doubled or tripled if you need to serve a crowd!
No, I don’t recommend making Brazilian condensed milk lemonade ahead of time. The lime peels/zest become bitter very quickly and will make the lemonade off-tasting if it’s made more than a few hours in advance.
Looking for More Authentic Brazilian Recipes?
Brazilian Lemonade
Ingredients
- 6 limes quartered
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 can condensed milk
- ice
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Add lime and water to a blender and pulse for about 30-40 seconds. Don't over do it or it will become bitter.
- Pass lemonade through a strainer and pour the liquid back in the blender.
- Add condensed milk, ice and a few mint leaves and pulse for 10-15 seconds. Serve
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe today. Used sweetened condensed and coconut milks. It came out delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
That’s great Mina, happy to hear!
Hey Silvia, love this recipe! I’m definitely giving Brazilian Lemonade a try this summer. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome and I hope you enjoy it! xoxo