Brazilian Limeade
Brazilian limeade is a simple but so flavorful drink that is perfect for families to enjoy together! Combined with sweetened condensed milk, this creamy, tart, sweet beverage is kid friendly and so delicious!
This easy drink is also called Brazilian Lemonade because the words lime and lemon are both “limão” in Portuguese. So even though it is made with limes, it is often called “lemonade”.
This 4 ingredient drink is so quick and easy, you won’t be able to stop making it! The key to this recipe is to get plump, juicy limes with a thin skin. The thicker the skins, the more “pith” (or white stuff between the outer skin and the flesh of the lime) and the more bitter your limes will taste.
Looking for other great global inspired drinks for your kids to try? Also check out Korean strawberry milk, Indian Mango Lassi, and Mango Lemonade from East Africa! They are all so simple to make but taste so good!
How to make Brazilian Lemonade (or Limeade)
This recipe is very simple to make! Here is a brief overview of the recipe to give you an idea of how it works. For the full set of directions and measurements, please make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below!
- Scrub the limes really well to make sure they are nice and clean.
- Cut the limes into pieces to make it easier for the blender.
- Combine half the lime pieces, half the sugar, and half the water in the blender and pulse for 10 seconds until the limes are well broken down, then strain through a fine mesh strainer (affiliate link).
- Repeat with the remaining limes, sugar, and water.
- Pour the lemonade into a pitcher and then stir in the sweetened condensed milk until well combined.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Note: The skin provides a LOT of flavor for this recipe, so you will not want to substitute pre-squeezed lime juice unless you absolutely have to.
And do NOT skip the sweetened condensed milk! It adds a lot of creamy flavor and texture to the recipe.
Storage Informaton
This limeade will store well in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sweetened condensed milk will probably settle out as it sits, so give it a good stir before serving.
Enjoy a cold glass of this limemade any time of year, or add it to a meal inspired by Brazil! Try pairing it with our Brazilian Family Foodie Passport!
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Brazilian Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 limes divided
- 5 cups water divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided
- ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Wash the limes really well, making sure to scrub the peel well.
- Cut 4 of the limes into 8 pieces each. Leave the 5th lime whole for now.
- To the jar of a blender, add 16 pieces of cut limes, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 2.5 cups water (this is half of each ingredient).
- Pulse the blender 7-10 times, just enough to break up the limes really well without completely pureeing them. You want the limes in little pieces, but the more you blend the limes the more bitter the juice will be.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl (or a pitcher with an opening wide enough to handle your strainer) and strain the mixture, letting it strain while you blend continue working.
- Add the remaining lime pieces, sugar and water to the blender and repeat.
- Pour the mixture through the fine mesh strainer.
- Use a wooden spoon to gently press the mixture to get as much liquid out as you can. Toss the solids.
- Carefully transfer the mixture to a pitcher.
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk.
- Slice the remaining whole lime into thin circle slices. Use your knife to cut a small slit into one side of each circle and place on the edge of the glass as a garnihs.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
