Limonada Suíça (Brazilian Creamy Limeade)
In short: Whole limes pulsed briefly with water, sugar and condensed milk, then strained into a pale, creamy, sweet-tart limeade served over ice. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
Limonada suíça is the creamy limeade sold at beach kiosks and served at barbecues across Brazil. Whole limes are pulsed very briefly with water, sugar and sweetened condensed milk, then strained. The condensed milk gives the drink a pale green color and a soft, sweet-tart taste. Despite the name, it is made with limes, not lemons. Pulse only a few seconds so the peel does not turn it bitter.
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the limes and cut each lime into quarters. Cut out the white central core and pick out any seeds.
- Put the lime pieces, 500 ml (2 cups) of the water, the sugar and the condensed milk in a blender.
- Pulse 5 or 6 times for 1 to 2 seconds each, just enough to break up the limes. Do not blend continuously, which makes the peel bitter.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher, pressing lightly on the pulp. Discard the pulp.
- Stir in the remaining 500 ml of water, taste and add more sugar if needed. Serve right away over ice, stirring before each pour.
Tips
- Pulse, do not blend, and strain at once. Over-blending releases bitter oils from the peel.
- Use thin-skinned limes. If your limes have very thick skin, peel half of them before blending.
Questions and answers
Why is my limonada suíça bitter?
The limes were probably blended too long, which grinds the peel and releases bitter oils. Pulse only briefly, remove the white core and strain right away.
Can I make limonada suíça ahead of time?
It is best within the hour. You can keep the strained drink in the fridge for a day, but stir it well before pouring because it separates.
Is there a dairy-free version?
Use sweetened condensed coconut milk in place of condensed milk. Or skip it and use 6 tablespoons of sugar for a clear, classic limeade.
How long does it take to make Limonada Suíça (Brazilian Creamy Limeade)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Limonada Suíça (Brazilian Creamy Limeade)?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
