Despite the name, Brazilian lemonade is actually made with limes, along with sweetened condensed milk and ice, for a refreshing summer sip! For my version, I’m adding some Ciroc vodka to highlight both lemon and lime flavors, for the perfect flavor combination!
What is Brazilian Lemonade?
Brazilian lemonade is a refreshing drink made from fresh limes, sweetened condensed milk and/or sugar, and water, blended together and then strained and served over ice.
Despite the name, it uses limes instead of lemons since they are more abundant in Brazil, which gives it a bright, citrusy flavor with a creamy, slightly sweet finish.
The combination of tart limes and the richness of condensed milk creates a smooth, tropical drink (that tastes a bit like Key Lime Pie if you ask me) that is especially popular in Brazil (but also making its way around the world) during warm weather.
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Ingredients Needed
- 4 medium limes, washed, ends trimmed, and quartered
- ½ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 3 cups cold water
- 3 cups ice
- ½ cup Ciroc Limonata vodka (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Choose limes with a thinner skin where possible, which helps prevent the drink from being bitter from the pith (since we don’t peel them). While you could throw the whole lime in as is, I find quartering them delivers a better result
- You can absolutely use regular sweetened condensed milk, that’s the traditional recipe. However, I love the lime and coconut combination (plus this version is dairy free)!
- If you’re adding vodka, Ciroc Limonata is a great choice because it has Italian lemon and lime flavors, so it compliments the drink well. However, you can use plain, lemon (citron), or lime vodkas as desired. White or coconut rum or tequila works well too!
Equipment Notes
You’ll need a blender for this recipe, as well as a fine mesh strainer. If you don’t have a strainer, you can juice the limes instead of blending them, which will eliminate the need to strain the lime pulp and skins out.
Step By Step Instructions
- Place your lime wedges and water into your blender
- Pulse 5 times (or about 15 seconds). If you go longer than that, you’ll likely make the drink overly bitter
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the skins and pulp, and rinse out your blender basin
- Return the strained lime juice mixture to the blender, then add the sweetened condensed milk and vodka (if using). You could also add the ice here and make a frozen blended drink if preferred
- Blend until smooth and slightly frothy. You can taste and adjust the sweetness with more sweetened condensed milk
- Pour into ice-filled glasses, garnish with a lime slice if desired, and serve immediately
Pairing Suggestions
Savory Options
- Grilled Meats (Churrasco) – Brazilian lemonade pairs perfectly with grilled steak, chicken, or pork, as the citrusy creaminess helps balance the smoky, charred flavors!
- Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) – The soft, cheesy bites contrast nicely with the sweet-tart lemonade. Did you know you can make Trader Joe’s Brazilian Cheese Bread in the Air Fryer?
- Coxinha (Brazilian Chicken Croquettes) – These crispy, savory snacks complement the refreshing drink. While not Brazilian, my Air Fryer Chicken Croquettes are a crispy, creamy option that pairs perfectly!
- Seafood (Grilled Shrimp, Fish, or Ceviche) – The lemonade enhances the natural sweetness of seafood while cutting through any richness
Sweet Pairings
- Brigadeiros (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles) – The rich, fudgy texture pairs well with the creamy, citrusy drink
- Flan or Pudim de Leite – The caramelized sweetness of flan is a great contrast to the bright lime flavors!
- Coconut Desserts – Coconut cake, coconut macaroons, or beijinho (Brazilian coconut truffles) add a tropical flair that complements the lemonade. Try my Coconut Rice Pudding for a delicious option!
Recipe FAQs
What Is Brazilian Lemonade Called in Brazil?
In Brazil, this drink is typically called “limonada suíça” (Swiss lemonade) rather than Brazilian lemonade.
The reason behind the “Swiss” name is unclear, but some believe it may be linked to the high-quality dairy products associated with Switzerland, like condensed milk, which is a key ingredient in the drink.
Could I Use Lemon Instead?
Yes, you can use lemons instead of limes, but the flavor profile will be slightly different. Limes provide a more tart and aromatic citrus flavor, while lemons will make the drink a little sweeter and less tangy.
If using lemons, you’ll want to adjust the sweetness to balance the flavors.
Can I Use Evaporated Milk Instead?
While you can use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk, the result will be less sweet, thinner, and not as creamy.
Since evaporated milk lacks the sugar content of condensed milk, you may need to add extra sugar or another sweetener to achieve the intended flavor. For a closer texture, you could mix evaporated milk with a bit of sugar before blending it into the drink.
Tips For the Best Brazilian Lemonade
- If you’re concerned about bitterness, you can use peeled limes instead. However, I find that it’s a tedious process, and you’ll still need to strain them, so it just adds more overall time to the recipe
- I always cut the ends off the lime and if there is a big white pithy section at the corner of the wedge, I’ll trim that off too, which helps reduce it being potentially bitter
- You can also mix the lime juice with the rest of the ingredients in a large pitcher if preferred (it just won’t be as frothy as it would being re-blended)
Storage and Serving Tips
Storage Tips
- Best Fresh – Brazilian lemonade is best enjoyed immediately after making it, as the fresh lime flavor starts to change over time
- Refrigeration – If you need to store it, keep it in an airtight container or pitcher in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The mixture may separate, so stir or shake well before serving!
- Avoid Bitterness – Since the blended lime rinds can cause bitterness over time, strain the lemonade and remove any solids before serving or storing
- Freezing Option – You can freeze Brazilian lemonade in ice cube trays and blend the frozen cubes with fresh liquid (including alcohol) when ready to serve!
Serving Tips
- Chill Your Glasses – Serve in chilled glasses and over ice for an extra refreshing experience!
- Garnishes – Add lime slices, a mint sprig, or a sugar rim for a decorative touch!
- Glassware is very flexible for this recipe. Try a highball, mason jar, can glass, daiquiri glass, stemless wine glass, or anything similar!
- Cotton Candy Lemonade
- Whipped Lemonade
Final Thoughts
This Brazilian lemonade (or should it be Brazilian limeade in this case) is such a fun and refreshing drink for summer! Made with just a few simple ingredients and a blender, it’s sweet, tart, and perfect for sipping during the summer heat.
I like to make mine boozy with the addition of citrus vodka (or coconut rum), but you can just as easily leave it out to keep the recipe friendly for the kids and non-drinkers in your group!
Serve this creamy lemonade up for a backyard BBQ, pool party, beach day, picnic, and more! The citrus flavors are perfect for spring and summer, and it’s easy to make a batch at a time, making it ideal for entertaining.
Katie’s tip
If you love citrus cocktails, check out all of my Ciroc Limonata Drink recipes for more options with a similar flavor base!
Easy Brazilian Lemonade (Vodka Optional)
Equipment
- Highball glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 4 medium limes (washed, ends trimmed, and quartered)
- ½ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 3 cups cold water
- 3 cups ice cubes
- ½ cup Ciroc Limonata vodka (optional)
Instructions
- Place your lime wedges and water into your blender, then pulse 5 times (or about 15 seconds). If you go longer than that, you’ll make the drink too bitter4 medium limes, 3 cups cold water
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the skins and pulp, and rinse out your blender basin
- Return the strained lime juice mixture to the blender, then add the sweetened condensed milk and vodka (if using). You could also add the ice here and make a frozen blended drink if preferred½ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk, ½ cup Ciroc Limonata vodka
- Blend until smooth and slightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds. You can taste and adjust the sweetness with more sweetened condensed milk if needed
- Pour into ice-filled glasses, garnish with a lime slice if desired, and serve immediately3 cups ice cubes
Notes
- Choose thinner skinned limes where possible, which helps the drink to not be so bitter from the pith. You can also remove any large pieces of white pith when quartering them
- You can absolutely use regular sweetened condensed milk, that’s the traditional recipe. However, I prefer the lime and coconut combination (plus this version is dairy free)!
- If you’re adding vodka, Ciroc Limonata is a great choice because it has Italian lemon and lime flavors, so it compliments the drink well. However, you can use plain, lemon (citron), or lime vodkas as desired. White rum, coconut rum, or tequila works well too
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, glass size, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
