“My son Gaël discovered this recipe on social media. Having friends of Brazilian origin, he's very interested in the culture. So he suggested we try Brazilian lemonade, and we both fell in love with it. With the leftover condensed milk, we made Brigadeiros , little Brazilian sweets that are just as festive as the lemonade. Enjoy the culinary journey!” — Marilyn

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A drink that is fresh, lively and sweet all at once

Brazilian lemonade, also called "limonada suíça," is a popular drink in Brazil. It's traditionally made with whole limes, roughly chopped and then crushed with water before being blended with sweetened condensed milk and plenty of ice. This version results in a very fragrant lemonade, but also a more bitter one, since the peel is included. Here, we offer a Quebec adaptation that avoids the bitterness by using only lime segments. The result is sweeter, perfectly balanced, and very refreshing.

Summary
🔍 Information	Details
⏱️ Preparation time	10 minutes
🍳 Cooking time	0 minutes
⏲️ Total time	10 minutes
🔧 Difficulty level	Easy
🍽️ Portions	2 to 3 glasses

Ingredients
4 to 5 limes (green lemons) Cold water (just enough to cover the chicken breasts in the blender) 3 to 4 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, or to taste Ice (at least 1 cup) Lime wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preparation (mild version without bitterness) Cut off the ends of each file. Remove all the skin and white membrane to avoid bitterness. Place the chicken breasts in a blender. Add just enough water to cover the fruit. Blend for a few seconds to obtain a liquid puree. Filter through a fine sieve to remove the pulp. Return the filtered liquid to the blender. Add the ice cream and sweetened condensed milk. Blend for a few seconds until you get a creamy and frothy texture. Adjust the sweetness to taste and serve immediately. Traditional Brazilian version Wash the whole limes and cut them into pieces. Grind directly with water in the blender. Filter the mixture to remove any pieces of skin. Next, add the condensed milk and ice cream.

Tips and variations

Lemonade is best enjoyed immediately, as the lime pulp continues to flavor the liquid over time. For an even creamier texture, you can replace some of the water with milk or a plant-based milk. You can also add a touch of zest before blending for a more intense flavor while maintaining a mild taste.

Nutritional Information per Serving
Nutrient	Quantity
Calories	150 kcal
Proteins	2 g
Carbohydrates	28 g
Sugars	25 g
Fibers	1 g
Lipids	2 g
Saturated fatty acids	1 g
Sodium	40 mg
Health rating	8/10 Key features: light, refreshing, low in fat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why remove the skin from files?

The peel and white membrane impart a strong bitterness. The original Brazilian version uses whole limes, but by removing the peel and using only the segments, the lemonade becomes much milder and more balanced.

How much condensed milk should be added?

We start with about 3 tablespoons for a balanced sweetness, then adjust to taste after blending with the ice.

Can I prepare the lemonade in advance?

It can be kept for a few hours, but drinking it the next day is not recommended: the aroma becomes too intense and a slight bitterness develops over time.

Can I use lemon instead of lime?

Yes, but the taste will be less intense. Lime gives the most typical flavor to Brazilian lemonade.

My lemonade is too runny, what should I do?

Add more ice and blend again. The more ice you add, the creamier, thicker, and frothier the lemonade will become.