Take your summer afternoon Nimbu Paani up a notch by trying out Limonada – Brazilian Lemonade. Limonada is a refreshing concoction that comes together by blending whole lemons, sugar and condensed milk with ice and water. It’s sweet, sour, creamy, and just perfect for this hot weather.
Looking for more refreshing drinks? Try my Aam Panna Recipe, Apple Iced Tea and Chaas - 3 Amazing Recipes (Spiced Indian Buttermilk)!
When life gives you lemons, you make Limonada!
Growing up, I’ve always associated the summers with a big, cold jug of nimbu paani, or lemonade, waiting for me in the kitchen. From coming back after playing outside to coming home after a long day of work – my glass of nimbu paani has been a constant in the summers for all these years.
It’s cold, tangy, refreshing, and I have no other way of describing it other than: just what you need.
So of course it would not come as a surprise that when I discovered Limonada, a Brazilian lemonade preparation, that I had to try it right away.
Lemonade to me has always been the simple squeeze-dissolve-mix process, and I was surprised to see that the Brazilians made their lemonade using a blender. But that’s not all – they use whole lemons (with the peel), and add condensed milk too!
I was intrigued – it was something new, yet familiar at the same time. I gave it a go, and my, my! It was just too good.
Think if lemonade flavors met a pina colada profile, that’s what Limonada is. Or at least my best way of describing it. This is one of those recipes that you just have to try for yourself to understand the taste, which is why I had to share it with you right away. Summer afternoons just got a whole lot better.
- This recipe is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy (and you don’t even have to squeeze the lemon!)
- You only need 5 ingredients (and two of those are ice and water)
- It’s a unique spin to the traditional lemonade or nimbu paani that we know and love
Ingredients You'll need to Make Limonada
- Lemons – traditional Brazilian Lemonade uses limes but locally available lemons work perfectly fine for this recipe. If your locally grown lemon has a lot of rind, like the Eureka version, substitute whole lemons with lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Condensed Milk – Nestle Milkmaid and Amul Mithai Mate are brands that I like and would recommend.
- Sugar – just two tablespoons, to offset the sourness along with the condensed milk. I used white granulated sugar but any kind will work. You can even substitute sugar with powdered jaggery, stevia, honey or maple syrup, of course, the taste and texture will be different, but still worth it!
- Ice – this is for texture and temperature. It’ll make our lemonade nice and thick – and cold!
- Water – cold water, use cold water as this drink is meant to be consumed immediately!
Richa’s Top Tricks to make the best Limonada
- Blend the mixture for no more than 15 seconds or blitz it at 3-second intervals rather than continuously blending. The more you blend, the more bitter the drink will turn!
- Make sure to strain the drink using a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher filled with ice. Serve with a lemon wedge if you’re feeling fancy! You can also squeeze more fresh lemon into the pitcher for an extra kick.
- Serve this Limonada right away – don’t store this as the lemon will get more bitter and alter the taste.
- This recipe makes 4 tall glasses, reduce it or double it to your preference. As this drink can not be stored, I'd recommend making just as much as you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there any alternative to condensed milk?
A traditional substitute to condensed milk is powdered milk mixed with hot water, but that will not work with this recipe as we want our Limonada to be icy COLD and CREAMY! This is a classic Brazilian recipe so it’s best to use the original ingredients.
- Can I omit the lemon peel from this?
Yes, you can, use lemon juice and zest instead. Although again since this is the traditional preparation, I would recommend that you try out the original recipe first and then identify any tweaks you’d like to make to suit your taste.
- How can I reduce the bitterness?
Before adding the lemons, remove the pith, that is the white skin on the flesh of the lemon. Furthermore, if you are very worried about the bitterness, skip adding whole lemons. Instead use lemon juice and zest!
This Limonada is the perfect summer drink to add to your weekly rotation as the weather has been getting warmer. Its preparation may seem new and unusual to you, but don’t let that deter you from trying it out. It's become a staple in my home ever since I first made it!
If you’re looking for more summer drinks, check out my Aam Panna recipe or try out my Summer Berry Red Wine Spritzer.
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Limonada | Brazilian Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 100 ml condensed milk
- 2 lemons halved
- 2 cups ice
- 2 cups cold water
Instructions
- In a blender, add the sugar, condensed milk, lemon, ice, and cold water.
- Blend the ingredients for about 15 seconds, pulsing in 3-second intervals, or until well combined. Be cautious not to blend for too long as it can make the drink bitter.
- Strain the mixture to remove lemon seeds, peel and pulp.
- Serve the Limonada in glasses filled with ice.
Video
Notes
- Blend the mixture for no more than 15 seconds or blitz it at 3-second intervals rather than continuously blending. The more you blend, the more bitter the drink will turn!
- Make sure to strain the drink using a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher filled with ice. Serve with a lemon wedge if you’re feeling fancy! You can also squeeze more fresh lemon into the pitcher for an extra kick.
- Serve this Limonada right away – don’t store this as the lemon will get more bitter and alter the taste.
- This recipe makes 4 tall glasses, reduce it or double it to your preference. As this drink can not be stored, I'd recommend making just as much as you need.
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