How to Make the Perfect Brazilian Mint Lemonade
Brazilian · Easy · 10 min · 4 servings
A creamy and refreshing Brazilian drink made with whole limes, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh mint. This blended lemonade is rich, frothy, and unlike any lemonade you have tried before.
Why this recipe works
This Brazilian Mint Lemonade recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 10 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 whole limes
- 3 cups cold water
- 0.33 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 10 leaves fresh mint
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prep the Limes
Wash the limes thoroughly. Cut off both ends of each lime and cut each lime into quarters. Do not peel the limes as the rind adds flavor, but remove any visible seeds to prevent bitterness.
Step 2: Blend the Base
Add the lime quarters, cold water, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, sugar, and salt into a blender. Blend on high speed for exactly 5 seconds. Do not over-blend or the drink will become very bitter from the lime rind.
Step 3: Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing gently with a spoon to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids left in the strainer.
Step 4: Add Mint and Ice
Add the fresh mint leaves to the pitcher and stir gently. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes and pour the lemonade over the ice.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel. Serve right away as the drink loses its frothy texture and may become bitter if it sits too long.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- sweetened condensed milk → coconut condensed milk for a dairy-free version
- cream cheese → full-fat coconut cream for a vegan option
- granulated sugar → simple syrup or honey to taste
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Blending for too long which releases bitter compounds from the lime rind
- Using warm water which prevents the drink from being refreshing and frothy
- Skipping the straining step which leaves pulp and makes the texture unpleasant
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 3g protein, 28g carbs, 6g fat, 1g fiber.
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