Limonada (Brazilian Lemonade)
Quench your thirst and transport your taste buds to the sunny beaches of Brazil with every sip of this Limonada (Brazilian Lemonade). This authentic Brazilian lemonade recipe is made with only 3 ingredients, and is ready to enjoy in about 5 minutes. If you love just a touch of sweetness combined with the tanginess of fresh lime juice, then this light, refreshing, and frothy non-alcoholic drink will leave you coming back for more.
It’s the ultimate thirst quencher for hot summer days! To learn how to make this super delicious limonada recipe, see the printable recipe card below. Take a look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions for a more detailed explanation of this recipe. Want to know about the health benefits of this drink, or other recipe variations? Then visit the Pimp My Recipe section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
LIMONADA (BRAZILIAN LEMONADE)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash (scrub), rinse, and dry limes. Cut 1 lime lengthwise (4-8 wedges), and set aside for the garnish. Then cut the remaining 4 limes into eighths (lengthwise or crosswise), and remove the brown stems. Add the 4 cut limes into the large pitcher of a high speed blender (see Note #2).
- To the blender pitcher, add water, sugar (optional), and sweetened condensed milk, and blend for exactly 15 seconds (no more).
- Set a fine mesh strainer on top of a pitcher (44 ounces) or large measuring cup (8 cups). Strain the limonada, gently assisting the juice and foam through the strainer with a spoon (do not press), then discard pulp. Taste for sweetness, and adjust if needed.
- Fill 4 tall glasses (16 ounces) with ice cubes. Pour the strained Limonada into each glass, and spoon a little foam on top. Garnish each glass with 1-2 lime wedges, using them to squeeze some extra juice into the Limonada, and stir. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- Although some Brazilian households do add granulated sugar to Limonada, traditional recipes typically do not use granulated sugar as the sweetened condensed milk already provides some sweetness in this drink. I’ve tried it both ways and prefer just a touch of sweetness from the granulated sugar. If you like it barely sweetened and very tart, then just omit the granulated sugar from this recipe.
- Both the NutriBullet high speed blender, and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
- For more recipe variations including how to make it vegan or vary the sweetness, visit the Pimp My Recipe section for this recipe in my Blog Comments & Tips on the website.
- Makes about 5 servings (16 ounces per serving with ice).
Nutrition Facts
Calories
195.33Fat (grams)
2.85 gSat. Fat (grams)
1.69 gCarbs (grams)
43.6 gFiber (grams)
1.88 gNet carbs
41.73 gSugar (grams)
37.74 gProtein (grams)
2.89 gSodium (milligrams)
49.86 mgCholesterol (grams)
10.4 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
Note: You will only need a total of 5 limes for this recipe.
STEP 1a
Thoroughly wash (scrub), rinse, and dry 5 organic limes. Cut 1 lime lengthwise (4-8 wedges), and set aside for the garnish. Then cut the remaining 4 limes into eighths (lengthwise or crosswise), and cut off the brown stems.
STEP 1b
Add the 4 cut limes into the large pitcher of a high speed blender (see Note below).
Note: Both the NutriBullet high speed blender, and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
STEP 2
To the blender pitcher, add 4 cups filtered water, ½ cup granulated sugar (optional - see Note below), and ½ cup sweetened condensed milk. Blend for exactly 15 seconds (no more).
Note: Although some Brazilian households do add granulated sugar to limonada, traditional recipes typically do not use granulated sugar as the sweetened condensed milk already provides some sweetness in this drink. I’ve tried it both ways and prefer just a touch of sweetness from the granulated sugar. If you like it barely sweetened and very tart, then just omit the granulated sugar from this recipe.
STEP 3
Set a fine mesh strainer on top of a pitcher (44 ounces) or large measuring cup (8 cups). Strain the limonada, gently assisting the juice and foam through the strainer with a spoon (do not press), then discard pulp. Taste for sweetness, and adjust if needed.
STEP 4
Fill 4 tall glasses (16 ounces) with ice cubes, and pour strained limonada in each glass. Spoon a little foam onto each glass of limonada.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Garnish each glass with 1-2 lime wedges, using them to squeeze some extra juice into the limonada, and stir. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes:
For more recipe variations including how to make it vegan or vary the sweetness, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
Makes about 5 servings (8 ounces per serving - 16 ounces with ice).
VIDEO
How to Make Limonada (Brazilian Lemonade)!
Blog Comments & Tips
A super refreshing beverage that is totally addictive!
Experience a tangy burst of flavor with this Brazilian Lemonade. This refreshing non-alcoholic drink is so delicious that I’ve become addicted to it! It’s truly the perfect summer recipe, and can be made in larger batches for entertaining. Although the ingredients in this Limonada recipe may seem a bit unusual at first, I encourage you to give this summer drink a try.
Brazilian Lemonade (aka: Limonada), is a refreshing drink that goes beyond its deliciously tart taste and offers a range of advantages for your well-being. From boosting your immune system to aiding in digestion, this zesty concoction packs a powerful punch. Although it does contain added sugars, using the entire citrus fruit makes this drink a bit healthier than traditional American lemonade. Here are just a few of the incredible health benefits of Brazilian Lemonade:
Immune-Boosting Vitamin C: Brazilian Lemonade is a fantastic source of vitamin C, thanks to its star ingredient - fresh organic limes. Vitamin C helps to strengthen your body's defense system and ward off illnesses.
Hydration & Detoxification: Drinking Limonada is an excellent way to quench your thirst and stay hydrated, especially in warm climates. This Brazilian Lemonade acts as a natural detoxifier, helping to flush out toxins and cleanse your system.
Digestive Aid: The combination of lime juice and water in Brazilian Lemonade serves as a natural digestive aid. Limes stimulate the production of digestive juices, promoting better digestion and reducing bloating. Enjoying a glass of Limonada after a meal can help soothe your stomach and enhance your digestive processes.
Antioxidant Power: Limes are rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting your cells from damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants found in limes can have some anti-inflammatory effects.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to making Limonada (Brazilian Lemonade):
Use organic limes. Going organic is a must for this recipe, because you are using the entire fruit.
It seems odd to add sweetened condensed milk to a lemonade, but the combination of these ingredients makes the most refreshing beverage. It doesn’t taste milky at all!
Use a high speed blender, and make sure that you blend for EXACTLY 15 seconds (no more). Any longer will give this drink a very bitter taste.
When straining the Limonada, don’t push the pulp through the strainer. To assist in the straining process, just use a spoon to lift the pulp and move it around to help it drain a bit faster.
Pour over ice and serve immediately. This drink will separate and lose its foam if you wait too long to serve it. Also, it’s easy to make less if you need fewer than 4 servings (I often make just one serving at a time).
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it Vegan & Dairy Free: Replace the dairy sweetened condensed milk with coconut sweetened condensed milk. You can use the same quantity, and it will add a lovely coconut flavor to this drink. The flavors of coconut and lime pair beautifully together!
Make it Less Sweet: If you want to taste it the authentic way, just omit the granulated sugar all together. It’s very refreshing, but quite tart. Even though I don’t like sweet drinks, I actually prefer it with some sugar. Adding granulated sugar surprisingly does not make this drink very sweet. It simply balances out the acidity and flavor. I suggest making this recipe for the first time with ½ cup granulated sugar. Or, as a taste test, you can adjust the number of servings and do a test run for 1 serving (uses only 1 lime). You can also try it with only ¼ cup granulated sugar, but I have a suspicion that you might make this recipe again and use ½ cup sugar in the end.
Make it Sweeter: Instead of using ½ cup granulated sugar, try ¾ cup granulated sugar (or to taste).
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Santé!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to blend for only 15 seconds, otherwise it will make the lemonade very bitter.
Adapted from the Brazilian Lemonade recipe by Brazilian Kitchen Abroad. This is a wonderfully authentic recipe, but I tweaked it a bit by adding some granulated sugar. I don’t like my drinks very sweet, and other recipes that add sugar end up adding far too much. My version has just a touch of sweetness that gives this drink the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
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