Limonada Recipe Brazilian Lemonade

What is Brazilian Lemonade?

Vibrant tangy-sweet Brazilian Lemonade with a hint of bitterness… Limonada is a beverage you must experience! OK, let’s clear some things up before we get started. You may have noticed I’m calling this “Brazilian Lemonade” and yet limes are in the photos. That is because Limonada A.K.A. Brazilian Lemonade is made with limão, the Portuguese word for limes… and lemons. Yes, I agree, this is confusing. But trust me, no matter what it’s called this Brazilian Limeade drink is absolutely amazing. The biggest difference between Brazilian limeade/lemonade and American limeade is that the limes are puréed in the blender, including the peel, so it has a zesty bitter note to balance the sweet and tangy flavors. You can remove some of the peel, or all of the peel if you prefer, but I love the traditional bitter flavor at the end of each sip. Sometimes Brazilian Limonada is thin and served over ice. Yet I like to blend the ice into the liquid to make it a frothy frozen lemonade.

4 Ingredients You Need

Limes – ripe, so that the fruit has a bit of give when gently squeezed Water – pure filtered water is best Sweetened condensed milk – the “secret ingredient” to making creamy and frosty limonada Ice – I like small cubes that take less time to blend

Equipment

High-speed blender Mesh sieve

How to Make Limonada

Thoroughly scrub the limes to make sure all chemicals and waxes have been removed. Slice off both ends of the limes to remove the stem bits and discard them. Then slice the limes into wedges. Place the lime wedges, peels and all, into the blender. Add the water, cover, and purée until very smooth. Set a fine mesh sieve over a measuring pitcher. Pour the lime water through the sieve to strain out all the pulp. Press the pulp to get out as much liquid as possible. You should have 3 to 3 ½ cups of lime liquid. Pour the lime water back into the blender. Add the sweetened condensed milk. Purée until smooth. Now you can either serve the Limonada Recipe over ice cubes OR froth it up by adding the ice directly to the blender. Purée again and serve!

Limonada Recipe Variations + Serving Suggestions

Make this a lemon-based Brazilian lemonade recipe by simply swapping limes for ripe lemons. Add 1 ounce of white rum or vodka per serving for an adults-only alcohol frozen limeade. I suggest garnishing the glasses with a slice of fresh lime. It makes for a super fun and summery presentation! Pour the mixture into popsicle molds for delicious Limeade Pops!