Brazilian Lemonade Recipe with Sweetened Condensed Milk

A really tasty and refreshing Brazilian lemonade recipe takes everything you love about lemonade and kicks it up a notch. For the zesty lime flavor we are using fresh lime juice with some lime zest. Instead of using regular granulated sugar, we are sweetening our drink with sweetened condensed milk. This adds a creamy texture and special flavor that is unique. 

Let's go through the basics and some improvements I've made to this lemonade so that you can make a big batch and impress all of your friends this weekend!

Why This is Better than Traditional Brazilian Lemonade

The original recipe for Brazilian lemonade is pretty intense. Whole limes are cut into quarters and blended with water and sweetened milk. Then the mixture is poured through a fine-mesh strainer and served with lots of ice. 

The problem I have with using the whole lime is that the white pith makes its way into my drink, giving my lemonade a bitter flavor. Instead, we are using just the fresh lime juice and lime zest to make a sweet and tangy drink to cool off.

Who is this Lemonade Perfect For

If you are looking for a simple, easy-to-make drink for the weekend, this one is perfect. You only need a couple simple ingredients and lots of ice. By the time I get to Friday, my brain is fried. I am tired and ready to relax with friends or a have a quiet weekend with my family. So, for those of us who want something delicious, but don't want to labor in the kitchen, save this recipe!

My Lemonade Ingredients

• 9 Fresh Limes
• 1- 14 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 cups Cold Water
• 6 cups Ice

Equipment That You Will Need

Okay, so we need three things to make our Brazilian lemonade, but at least with my method you can skip the strainer.

• High Speed Blender- a blender with multiple speed options is helpful for this recipe. I like to use my Ninja blender on the "crush" setting for the texture.
• Juicer- I have the basic squeezer, but whatever you have will work.
• Microplane for the lime zest.
• Cups and Straws

How to Make Brazilian Lemonade in 4 Steps

Let's turn the flavor up on our classic lemonade recipe and make it way better. It won't have much bitterness, just pure citrusy flavor for a sweet summer drink.

1. Start by zesting 2 limes with a microplane. Be careful to avoid the white pith.
2. Cut 6-8 juicy limes in half and squeeze the juice into a blender. Then add the zest.
3. Next, add the sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups of water, and 6 cups of ice cubes. Blend until the lemonade is completely combined with the ice. 
4. Pour your lemonade into glasses and garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately.

Fun Serving Suggestions for Lemonade

When you are ready to serve, fill your glasses with plenty of ice. Pour in your freshly squeezed Brazilian lemonade and garnish with lime wedges. If you want a little more green color, add a pinch of extra lime zest to the top.

Make Ahead Instructions

Let's say you are having people over this afternoon and you want to make this even faster. You can zest the limes, squeeze and measure the juice, and have the sweetened condensed milk ready to go. When you are ready to kick off the party, combine your prepped ingredients, water, and ice in the blender and go.

What to Serve with this Drink

The perfect main course to serve with your new drink is a plate of carne asada with my favorite green taco sauce. I have plenty more easy sides and tasty mains that need a refreshing drink like this lemonade.