This Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (or Brazilian Limeade because it is actually made out of limes) is a super refreshing drink that’s perfect for enjoying all year round– especially in the summertime, just like caipirinha. It is one of those easy Brazilian recipes that are perfect for barbecues, cookouts, and other celebrations, and you can pair it perfectly with this Brazilian chicken churrasco! WATCH OUR QUICK VIDEO!
This is one of my family’s favorite beverages! Why?
Check it out!
Reasons to Make Brazilian Limeade Recipe
- It’s quick and easy to make with less than 5 ingredients!
- Perfect on a hot summer day because it’s super refreshing! There is no summer in Rio de Janeiro without this lemonade!
- It’s mildly sweet and tart!
- No need to prepare a simple syrup to make our Brazilian limeade. Just quickly blend lime wedges (with peel and pulp), ice water, ice, and sugar in a blender, strain, discard the pulp, stir in some sweetened condensed milk (optional), and serve lemonade with lots of ice.
As you can see, it’s easy peasy!
Why is it called Brazilian Lemonade instead of Brazilian Limeade?
The answer is quite simple! In English, there is a distinction between limes and lemons. In Portuguese, limes are thought of as a type of lemon – more precisely Tahitian lemon (limão taiti).
Lime is called “lemon” (limão) in my home country Brazil. For Brazilians, limes are considered one of several types of lemon, and are the most commonly used type in drink and food recipes.
Moreover, the term used to name our Brazilian lemonade is actually Limonada Suíça (or Swiss Lemonade). But the thing is, there is nothing Swiss about our lemonade– except for Nestlé sweetened condensed milk. The recipe is very Brazilian, although Nestlé originated as a Swiss company! So the term ‘Swiss’ in the Brazilian lemonade may come from the frequent use of Nestlé condensed milk in most of our lemonade recipes.
That’s not all! There are some variations to the recipe. When preparing our Brazilian lemonade with condensed milk, we call it Limonada Suíça Cremosa (or Creamy Swiss Lemonade). To make it dairy-free, some blend the Brazilian lemonade with coconut milk instead.
Although it is not part of the traditional Brazilian recipe, you can blend in some fresh mint leaves to make this great drink even more refreshing – just like our pineapple mint juice. Or you can also prepare this Brazilian lemonade with alcohol (cachaça, vodka, or white rum vodka are the most common spirits).
Most people have tried this popular drink at Brazilian steakhouses such as Tucanos and Fogo de Chão. But you don’t have to go to one to try this delish drink!
Ingredients and Substitutions for Brazilian Lemonade Recipe
You’ll just need 4 to 5 simple ingredients to prepare it, as follows:
- Fresh limes – Make sure to choose juicy limes with thin, smooth skins; otherwise, the lemonade will have a bitter flavor! In Brazil, we use whole limes (both the pulp and peel) to make the drink. By blending the peel, the beverage will have a more tart flavor, and will be more fragrant as well, because the blended fresh limes will release their oils.
- Ice cubes
- Ice or cold water – You want your Brazilian lemonade to be super cold. After all, we’re making an iced drink.
- Sugar – it will balance the tart flavor of the limes. If you are on a keto diet, use a keto sugar substitute such as Swerve.
- Condensed milk – it is optional but it’ll add creaminess and extra sweetness to the drink. To make it dairy-free, replace it with coconut milk.
Variations
- Brazilian lemonade with condensed milk – this is the creamy version of the original recipe.
- Brazilian lemonade with alcohol – this adds spirits such as cachaça, vodka, or white rum.
- Also, Brazilian lemonade with coconut milk – replaces the condensed milk, making the drink dairy-free.
- Brazilian lemonade with mint – It makes the drink more refreshing!
American Lemonade vs. Brazilian Limeade
Both are refreshing drinks and have water, ice, and sugar as ingredients!
However, the American drink uses lemons while the Brazilian one uses limes (which are considered as lemons in Brazil). In addition, the preparation is different! The American lemonade calls for a simple syrup that is mixed cold with the freshly squeezed juice of lemons. It is sweeter and leftovers can be stored for longer compared to its Brazilian cousin! On the other hand, The Brazilian lemonade or limeade blends all the ingredients in a blender (including the pulp and peel of the limes), strains the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, and tosses away the pulp and peel. Condensed milk can be added to make a creamy drink.
How to make Brazilian lemonade
- To start, wash limes, scrubbing well, to remove dirt, outer wax, and pesticides.
- Then, cut limes into 1/8ths or thin wedges. Place them in a blender or food processor with ice water, sugar, and ice cubes.
3. Blend quickly (pulse about 5 to 7 times). If you blend for longer, this will make your lemonade bitter!
4. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and press the lime pulp gently to release its extra juice. Discard the lime skins and pulps!
5. Serve Brazilian lemonade in a pitcher with lots of ice and lime wedges. If you want to, stir in condensed milk to make a sweeter and creamy lemonade. It’s up to you! To make it dairy-free, replace it with coconut milk.
6. For a variation of the recipe, you may add fresh mint leaves and blend them with the other ingredients. For an alcoholic version, stir in some cachaça, vodka, or white rum.
7. Brazilian limeade is meant to be consumed immediately because it has the tendency to get bitter over time. But if you have leftovers, you may store it covered in the fridge for up to one day. Make sure to add extra sugar and stir well before drinking leftovers. Some freeze this classic Brazilian drink in popsicle molds but I find it to be bitter!
Storage
If you cannot consume the Brazilian lemonade right away, store leftovers covered in the fridge until the next day or for up to one day. Before drinking it, stir in some extra sugar to balance the tartness of the limes!
You may freeze it in popsicle molds but be aware it will have a bitter flavor.
Other easy drink recipes to try:
- Frozen pineapple margarita
- Piña colada smoothie
- Peach michelada
- Passion fruit cocktail
- Pineapple cocktail
- Coconut cocktail (batida de coco)
- Avocado smoothie
- Blue baby shower punch recipe with sprite
- Cucumber water
PIN & ENJOY!
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Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (Limeade)
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 3 limes washed, cut into 1/8ths, and seeds removed, skin on. Use extra lime slices to garnish the drink!
- 5 cups ice water
- 1 cup granulated sugar or more if desired
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk OPTIONAL
Instructions
- To start, wash limes, scrubbing well, to remove dirt, outer wax, and pesticides.
- Then, cut limes into 1/8ths or thin wedges. Place them in a blender or food processor with ice water, sugar, and ice cubes.
- Blend quickly (pulse about 5 to 7 times). If you blend for longer, this will make your lemonade bitter!
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and press the lime pulp gently to release its extra juice. Discard the limes skins and pulps!
- Serve Brazilian lemonade in a pitcher with lots of ice and lime wedges. If you want to, stir in condensed milk to make a sweeter and creamy lemonade. It’s up to you! To make it dairy-free, replace it with coconut milk.
- For a variation of the recipe, you may add fresh mint leaves and blend with the other ingredients. For an alcoholic version, stir in some cachaça, vodka, or white rum.
- Brazilian limeade is meant to be consumed immediately because it has the tendency to get bitter over time. But if you have leftovers, you may store them covered in the fridge for up to one day. Make sure to add extra sugar and stir well before drinking leftovers.
- Some freeze this classic Brazilian drink in popsicle molds but I find it to be bitter!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Post first published on February 9, 2015.
Amira says
OMG this is one of the thirst quenching drinks for us in Egypt. Me too, I do not like it with condensed milk. Limes are also called lemons in the Arab region and we call this drink LEMONADA 😉 so much in common. I have a question though, how do you get rid of the bitterness that the skin adds? I always find it better when the skin is removed.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Amira! The skin produces bitterness which is balanced with the added sugar. This way, this limeade is neither too sweet nor too bitter. But it has to be drunken immediately in order to avoid becoming very bitter. There are people who prefer to remove the skin and make this limeade only with the pulp. I enjoy both ways.
Rekha says
Indeed this is delicious! Love it and great pics Denise:-)
Raymund says
This is perfect for our hot and humid summer here, I just wish limes are cheaper, from where I am its $20 a kilo
Denise Browning says
Whoa!!!! Limes are very expensive then in NZ, Raymund! Here in Texas, one lime usually costs 15 cents… I paid 45 cents for 3 limes to make this limeade. What a difference!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
It may be winter but it is also citrus season! I adore this new-to-me recipe, it is so much easier than lemonade!
Juliana says
I didn’t know that this kind of limonada was called Suica…I sure love this but have not made this for a while…thanks for the reminder Denise…the pictures are gorgeous! Oh! I used to add a touch of condensed milk…
Enjoy your week my dear 🙂
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
I’m with you Denise, lemonade always sounds good! And yours sounds wonderful. Pinned!
Coffee and Crumpets says
This limeade looks wonderful! If you think about it, winter is the time citrus is in season…so it’s perefctly normal,to want to drink this in the winter! I love lemonade and limeades all year round though, and I love ice cream in the winter and here in Colorado, it really is chilly!
Still, I could easily drink a glass or two of this.
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
What a vibrant beverage Denise! I eat ice cream in the winter and so I’m happy to drink lemonade as well. I love the combination of lemons and limes. So refreshing and I can’t wait to try it! : )
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Brazilian carnivals sound so fun! Love the pictures of the carnival in your hometown that you posted. And that limeade looks so delicious, too, it would probably be good with some alcohol mixed in too! 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Never been to Brazilian carnival — would love to go someday. Would love some of this limeade, too. I make lemonade often — don’t know why I never think to try the lime version. Thanks for this!
Liz says
I actually prefer limeade over lemonade—and I’m certain I’d love your homemade version, Denise 🙂
francesca says
all the makings of a great caipirinha : D This reminds me of italian granita!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Oh…CARNAVAL!!! And yes, most people think in Rio than a different city in Brazil.
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
This lemonade of yours is making me crave summer more!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This looks so refreshing and tasty! I really enjoy limeade, but haven’t made it at home before. I’ll need to give it a try!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
What a treat…. It’s stinkin hot here at the moment, reckon a glass of Limeade would go down a real treat. Limes are a tad expensive, but if the end result is this, totes worth it. 🙂 Also, add a splash of white spirit and you’ve got yourself a party for the tastebuds. LOL!
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
simply tasty and refreshing!!!!
Pang @circahappy says
This is my new favourite drink. No need for syrup & fuss!!! What a treat 🙂
Loveeeee