As far as we're concerned, lemonade always has been and always will be the classic drink of summer. Sure, other trends come and go — Negronis (sblagliato, with Prosecco in it) [1], Dirty Shirleys [2], Spicy Rosés [3]. But lemonade is where it's at. That said, TikTok is making a very strong case for a slightly different warm-weather drink: Brazilian lemonade, sometimes also called Brazilian limeade, Swiss lemonade, or limonada suíça.
The basic sweet-tart recipe for Brazilian lemonade, which is making the rounds on our FYPs, is pretty straightforward to follow, which we love. It only calls for a handful of ingredients. And it takes less than no time to make and can be blended in big batches, making it the perfect poolside pairing [4] and great for entertaining.
To whip up your own Brazilian lemonade, chop around five limes into eighths and toss into a blender along with 3/4 cup sugar, about four cups water, and — here's the secret ingredient — 1/2 cup condensed milk. (For what it's worth, some versions of this drink omit condensed milk [5], but the recipes going around TikTok use it, and it adds a creamy sweetness that's worth trying at least once.)
Blend until all ingredients are fully incorporated but don't overblend, or the lime peels [6] will make the drink bitter. Next, separate your liquid mixture from any remaining lime pieces by pouring the blend through a strainer. Place the drink blend back into the blender with three cups water. After a few seconds of blending, pour over ice, stir, and sip away.
But there are some Brazilian lemonade-inspired variations you can try. Ahead, see how others are making and garnishing their own Brazilian limeades at home, including a dairy-free, a spiked, and a strawberry version.
