Brazilian Lemonade (Limonada)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
When it comes to satisfying summer beverages, it doesn’t get much better than Brazilian lemonade. Also known as limonada, this delectable drink will cool you down while immediately lifting your spirits. Plus, it only takes 10 minutes to make!
Sweet, sour, creamy, and cold, Brazilian lemonade is sure to be an instant hit at any of your summer gatherings. I like to make a batch of this insanely delicious drink to serve poolside, at barbecues and potlucks, or anytime it seems an invigorating tropical intervention is needed. I love the versatility of this recipe as well.
As is, this limonada recipe is perfect for pool party guests of all ages. Even toddlers and teenagers go wild for this flavor bomb of a beverage.
However, if you happen to be planning a cocktail party, Brazilian lemonade is still an excellent choice. Feel free to add a splash of your favorite rum, vodka, or other spirit to this luscious lime libation. Just remember to enjoy it responsibly!
Table of Contents
Looking for more ways to beat the heat? Try your hand at these refreshing recipes for No Churn Mango Ice Cream, Pineapple Ice Pops, and Strawberries and Cream Ice Pops.
Or, for more comforting creamy drinks from south of the border, check out my Horchata Recipe, Champurrado, and this Oaxacan Chocolate con Leche.
- Limes – These give the whole drink a tart, vibrant, and zesty citrus flavor. The best limes will be slightly soft but firm and will emit a strong scent when scratched.
- Water – Make sure to use super cold water to not dilute the frosty goodness. Traditional recipes use 4 cups of water, but this recipe is slightly different.
- Coconut Milk – I find subbing in 2 cups of unsweetened coconut milk for half of the water gives the limonada an extra dose of earthy, sweet, tropical flavor. Just be sure to mix this in after blitzing in the blender or you’ll end up with a foamy mess.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds rich creaminess and sweetness. Make sure to choose sweetened condensed milk to balance out the tartness of the beverage.
- Ice – Vitalizes this delicious drink with soft, frozen frostiness.
- Process the Limes. Reserve one lime for garnishing, then quarter the other 3 limes. Put the quartered limes and the water into a blender and blitz for 20 seconds.
- Strain Out Solids. Use a fine meshed sieve to strain out the solids over a pitcher and discard.
- Return to Blender & Blitz. Return the strained lime juice to the blender along with the sweetened condensed milk and ice. Blitz the mixture until blended, then transfer back to the pitcher. Add the coconut milk and stir well. Resist the temptation to blitz everything together as it will get way too foamy.
- Serve. Pour over ice if desired and garnish with lime rings. Refrigerate any limonada you are not drinking right away and stir before serving.
Traditionally Made Only with Water
- Traditionally, Brazilian lemonade is made with 4 cups of water. If you add a 15-ounce can of unsweetened coconut milk (at the end) plus the 2 cups of water in lieu of the 4 cups of water, it’s even better in my opinion.
- Make sure to stir in the coconut milk at the end. Otherwise, if blitzed, it gets too foamy. Now you know!
Share this recipe on Pinterest!
Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
Any bitterness in your Brazilian lemonade is most likely due to the white pith present in the skin. Luckily, there are a few ways to combat this:
– Once your limes are quartered, removing as much visible pith as possible before blending will cut down on the bitter flavor.
– Make sure to only blitz the ingredients as much as needed. A few pulses, equalling about 15-20 seconds, will do the trick. Excessive blending will cause the bitter-tasting chemicals in the peels to continue releasing.
If all else fails, and your limonada is still too bitter, try this:
– Zest the limes and set the zest aside.
– Remove and discard the remaining peels and pith.
– Put the peeled limes and zest into the blender and proceed with the recipe.
Limonada, or Brazilian lemonade, is a cold, creamy, and fruity blended drink made with a handful of simple ingredients. Traditionally, it is made from limes, sweetened condensed milk, ice, and water. This particular recipe also includes coconut milk to give it yet another tantalizing creamy twist of tropical flavor.
This simple combination of ingredients is out-of-this-world refreshing, especially when it all gets blitzed into a frozen, slushy-like beverage. Simple, satisfying, and a great way to beat the heat!
Well, by this point you have likely noticed that Brazilian lemonade does not contain any lemons. This gorgeous green drink relies on limes for its sensational citrus flavor. So, what’s the deal?
The answer is quite simple. Rather than being a misnomer, this is simply a tiny example of how details can get lost in translation. The dominant language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. The Portuguese word for limes is limao. Therefore, this refreshing drink has naturally been coined limonada. When we translate the Portuguese word limonada to English, we get the word lemonade.
A little investigating, however, will quickly reveal that this lovely lime libation is nowhere close to your average lemonade. Brazilian lemonade has its own unique profile that offers an experience like no other!
Subscribe to my Newsletter, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for all my latest recipes and videos.
Brazilian Lemonade (Limonada)
Ingredients
- 4 limes divided
- 2 cups cold water (See Note 1)
- 15 oz unsweetened coconut milk (optional, See Note 1)
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups ice
Instructions
- Quarter 3 limes (save remaining lime for garnish) and add to a blender with the water. Blitz for 20 seconds.
- Strain over a pitcher and discard solids.
- Pour strained lime water back into the blender and add the sweetened condensed milk and ice. Blitz until blended and pour into a pitcher. Stir in the coconut milk (otherwise, if blitzed, it gets too foamy).
- Serve immediately over more ice if desired with lime rings as garnish (see photo). If not drinking right away, refrigerate and stir before serving.
Video
Notes
- Traditionally this is made with 4 cups water, but if you add a 15-ounce can of unsweetened coconut milk (at the end) plus the 2 cups of water in lieu of the 4 cups water, it is even better in my opinion.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Recipe is delicious, easy, flexible and forgiving. I did not follow it exactly, but had a good result.
First, I did not have ice and I also thought I would like to keep it chilled undiluted in the fridge. But it was good, just like that!
Second, I cut back on the sweetened condensed milk for less sugar.
Third, I did briefly blitz the coconut milk in the blender. This caused no problem and I think a little bit of foam is nice.
My suggestion is to use organic limes if possible.
This could easily be turned into a Margarita type of drink. Possibly Midori would be a good addition.
Thanks Cristina, so happy you enjoyed this one!
Thks it was Nice
Thanks for trying this one Supura!
LOVED this with coconut, great idea!
Thanks Nate!