Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Carolyn

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This Brazilian Lemonade Recipe is a delightfully refreshing sugar-free beverage. Only 4 simple ingredients required to make this easy keto friendly drink! It will be the hit of your summer.

Have you ever heard of Brazilian Lemonade? Trust me, you want to become familiar with this easy and tasty summer drink as quickly as possible!

If you are unfamiliar, let me enlighten you. It’s not really lemonade at all. In fact, there are exactly zero lemons in this Brazilian lemonade recipe, since it’s made only with limes. Weird but true!

Despite this little twist, this frosty beverage is quickly becoming one of my favorite keto treats. It’s incredibly refreshing, with a flavor that’s both rich and light at the same time.

Intrigued? I thought you would be!

It’s a great recipe for summer entertaining, along with Sweet Tea Lemonade and Keto Root Beer Floats.

What is Brazilian Lemonade?

Okay so why do they call it lemonade? Shouldn’t it be called Brazilian Limeade?

For that, I refer you to a true Brazilian blogger over at Brazilian Kitchen Abroad. It would seem that the Portuguese words for lime and lemon are so close, it simply defaults to lemonade. Limão (lime) becomes limonada (the drink), which translates into lemonade.

You make this sweet summer drink in a most unusual way, with whole limes and sweetened condensed milk, along with water and plenty of ice. So it has a unique and delicious creaminess to it.

And my sugar free condensed milk is ideal for a keto version!

How to make Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade

This may be one of the easiest drinks you make all summer. Less than 10 minutes, start to finish! I learned a few things when testing this recipe so here are all my best tips:

Use whole limes

No arduous squeezing required! You simply blend sliced limes with the liquids and some additional sweetener, and then strain it. It’s remarkably simple.

Rest assured that the whole limes do not make the lemonade bitter. The trick, as I learned from Brazilian Kitchen Abroad, is to keep the blending very brief. Less than 30 seconds is about right. This method essentially infuses the liquids with lime flavor.

Keto condensed milk

You do need to make a batch of my keto condensed milk ahead of time, but that in itself is incredibly easy to do. You can even make the milk ahead and store it in the fridge for a few days, prior to whipping up the Brazilian Lemonade.

Sweeten to taste

My homemade condensed milk is not nearly as sweet as the conventional version, so you want to add more sweetener to the mix. I found that another ⅓ cup of powdered Swerve was about right, but you can easily do this to taste.

Strain out the solids

Obviously you don’t want chunks of lime floating around your lemonade. So grab a strainer and set it over the serving pitcher, then pour the blended mixture through the strainer. Add the remaining water, plenty of ice, and your done!

Make it fresh

One of my discoveries in testing out a sugar free Brazilian lemonade recipe is that it’s definitely best made fresh. On the first day, it’s perfectly sweet and delicious but the lime continues to get a bit bitter as the drink sits in the fridge for more than 2 days.

If you plan on making this for just yourself, or you and your significant other, just make a half recipe. It’s so ridiculously easy to do, there’s no need to make a big batch.

And as I said earlier, the condensed milk can be made ahead and stored for up to a week in the fridge, so you can whip it up any old time.

How to make it dairy free

Want a dairy free version of this Brazilian lemonade recipe? That’s easy too! Just make my keto condensed milk with coconut cream, and leave out the butter at the end. I tried that out and it was just as tasty.

More delicious keto lime recipes

  • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
  • Keto Key Lime Bars
  • Crab Stuffed Avocado with Lime
  • Keto Margarita Cake
  • Thai Chicken Soup with Zoodles
  • Keto Lime Popsicles

Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (6)

Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade

This Brazilian Lemonade Recipe is a delightfully refreshing sugar-free beverage. Only 4 simple ingredients required to make this easy keto friendly drink! It will be the hit of your summer.

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Beverage

Keyword: brazilian lemonade, brazilian lemonade recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 169kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Chop the limes into slices and place in a blender (preferably a good strong one!).

  • Add the condensed milk, sweetener, and 2 cups of the water, and blend only about 15 to 30 seconds. Strain through a sieve into a serving pitcher filled with ice.

  • Stir in the remaining water. Adjust sweetness to taste and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade

Amount Per Serving (1 serving = about 1 ½ cups)

Calories 169Calories from Fat 141

% Daily Value*

Fat 15.7g24%

Carbohydrates 3.8g1%

Fiber 0.1g0%

Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Nutritional Disclaimer

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them.I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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Comments

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  1. Sandra Vick says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (7)
    Hi, I’m Brazilian. In Brazil this drink is called Swiss Lemonade (because it has milk in it). We always associated Switzerland with milking cows. Go figure it. However, it’s delicious.

    Reply

  2. Angie says

    Leave out the butter at the end??

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      You can if you want to, but it works both ways.

      Reply

  3. Lúcia says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (8)
    I’ll be doing this for sure this summer!
    regarding the word Limonada, in Portuguese, lemon is limão and lime is lima. However, the Portuguese in Brazil in different.

    Reply

    • Sandra Vick says

      Actually in Brazil lime is called “limão siciliano (Sicilian lime). Lima is a variety of orange (laranja-Lima). I know, we butchered the beautiful Camões language.

  4. Mariana says

    I’m Brazilian and I never see that lemonade here. The recipe I knew (and saw everywhere) uses only lime, water and sugar (or sugar substitute). We only use condensed milk in our lime tart recipe. But, besides that, looks very good. Thanks for the fantastic site and recipes.

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Hi Mariana… Brazil is a big country so there is a lot of variation in many places. I have had many Brazilians confirm that this is how they make it, but I am sure your way is delicious too. I am from Canada and it’s also a big country, with lots of variation in “traditional” recipes. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Toni says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (9)
    Yummy! Im not fond of creamy, but this is gooda also good without cream. I strained then pot it throygh my bullet with ice. Oh so good. Just add your straw.

    Reply

  6. Krista says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (10)
    This looks so delicious. I can’t wait to try it. Do you have an orange or peach Julius copycat recipe?

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Not at this time but I will consider it! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Sharon says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (11)
    I love it! Of course anything that uses sugar free sweetened condensed milk is always a win!

    Reply

  8. Crystal Bloomfield says

    Could this be made with evaporated coconut milk? Unsweetened of course so the sweetener would need to be added as well.

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Probably but it’s going to increase the carb count by about 2g per serving.

      Reply

  9. Kelly says

    Looks yummy! Did you blend on high for 30 seconds? Did you squeeze or compress the solids while straining to get all the liquid?

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Yes to the first, no to the second.

      Reply

  10. 2pots2cook says

    Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (12)
    Heaven ! We love condensed milk and fruits combination so this is going to be our perfect summer drink this season !

    Reply

  11. Marie Keough says

    Would it be ok to use canned coconut milk in this! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Hi, did you read the section on a dairy free version? 🙂

      Reply

  12. Danette says

    This sound delicious! My blender would not be strong enough to chop the limes. Can you use just the juice of the limes or bottled lime juice in this recipe instead of whole limes? If so, how much? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      You can and I recommend adding some of the zest too. Don’t do bottled lime juice, it really doesn’t have a good flavor. Simply squeeze the juice from 4 medium limes, zest one of them, add to a blender and follow the rest of the recipe.

      Reply

  13. Kathy Roger says

    So you just…toss the limes into the blender as is? Peel and all? Also, how does this taste with a bit of rum added to it?

    Reply

    • Carolyn says

      Yup, peel and all! We tried it as a co*cktail with rum. It overpowered the delicate lime flavor so I preferred it plain. But my husband liked it.

      Reply

      • Lorry Norton says

        Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (13)
        maybe vodka would be better than the rum. 😁

        Reply

  14. Roberta says

    I loved your explanation about the origin of the name of this refreshing “lemonade” due to the translation from Portuguese: thank you for adding a bit of culture to the kitchen contest (cooking is always part of folklore, tradition and every note in that sense is always an interesting add-on to know 🙂 ).
    About the recipe per se: for my taste, since my tastebuds are now used to less sweetness after years, I find better not to add any more sweetener than the amount required in your already sweet enough condensed milk (above all if made dairy-free being coconut cream already sweet by itself). I personally prefer cold and refreshing preparation more satisfying if just as minimal sweet as right to don’t be bitter, but not much more. Also with citric flavours less sweetness doesn’t mask the kick of tanginess that in summertime is always refreshing.
    I was wondering if this recipe could be adapted also with raspberries ora strawberries to make a sort of quick and easy smoothie or even ice-pops… I’ll try to experiment also these options, thank you for your inspiration!

    Reply

    • Jenn says

      Mmmmm Berries! Share with us how it works out Roberta! Great idea!

      Reply

      • Roberta says

        Hi Jenn, happy to let you know that my falily loved the variation with berrier (raspberries and strawberries, and now looking for blackberries too 🙂 ), I had simply limited the sweetened as noted in my comment and dosed the lemon considering the tartness and acidity of the berries used each time… I hope you’ll enjoy this experimentation too if you’ll try!

        Reply

Sugar Free Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is sugar free lemonade made of? ›

You want 1 cup of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice to a large pitcher, before adding 3 cups of fresh water to the juice. Add an extra 4th cup if you want the lemonade more diluted. Now add the sugar-free simple syrup you made.

What is Brazilian lemonade made of? ›

Brazilian lemonade aka Limonada suíça a refreshing cold drink. It's made of limes, sugar, condensed milk, water and ice it's then mixed in a blender. This frothy, sweet and creamy lemonade is the perfect way to combat the sweltering summer heat that's just around the corner!

How do you get the bitterness out of Brazilian lemonade? ›

Tip: you can peel the limes to avoid the bitterness, or just peel half. This recipe calls for limes, water, ice, and condensed milk. And the final product is something perfect for summer. Enjoy!

Why is my Brazilian lemonade separating? ›

If you have leftovers of your Brazilian lemonade, transfer it to an airtight pitcher and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. The ingredients may separate as your drink sits, so give it a quick stir before you serve it.

What is a substitute for sugar in lemonade? ›

Instead, you could opt for a sweetener, like stevia, or try maple syrup or agave nectar. Many also choose to use honey in their lemonade recipes, but, because this ingredient comes from bees, it's not vegan.

Can diabetics drink zero sugar lemonade? ›

If you have diabetes, doctors may recommend drinks that have no calories or a low number of calories, such as milk alternatives and sugar-free lemonade. Having diabetes means you have to be aware of everything you eat or drink.

What is the famous Brazilian drink? ›

Chances are high you encountered Brazil's national drink, the Caipirinha, if you've traveled to the South American country. Refreshing and easy to make, the co*cktail contains fresh lime juice, sugar and cachaça.

Why is Brazilian lemonade called Swiss lemonade? ›

In Brazil, it's also known as limonada Suíça, which translates to Swiss lemonade, because it typically includes sweetened condensed milk, which was marketed by the Swiss company Nestlé in Brazil in the 1940s.

What is the most Brazilian drink? ›

1. Caipirinha. The ultimate Brazilian co*cktail is most definitely the Caipirinha. Also known as caninha and pinga, a Capirinha co*cktail appears on most serious bar menus throughout the world and is always on the menu in Brazil.

Why does my Brazilian lemonade taste bitter? ›

To your blender, add in 2 cups of chilled water. Now, you're gonna use the zest of 2 limes. People think this is the bitter part, but no, this is not. This white part of the lime, also known as the pith, is what makes it bitter.

How do you counteract bitterness without sugar? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

One of the best foils for bitter flavors are acidic ingredients, like citrus juices or vinegars. Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar.

Why does my homemade lemonade taste bitter? ›

I suspect you're getting “pith” in your lemon, the white stuff under the yellow part. Most recipes for lemon call either for the zest (the yellow part of the peel) or the juice/flesh. Omit the pith and it should eliminate the bitterness.

Is Brazilian lemonade bad for you? ›

But it's not only tasty, but the drink also boasts some nutritional benefits. Dr Prashant Mistry, a celebrity physiotherapist and nutritionist, weighs in, “Brazilian lemonade is made with fresh limes. It is high in antioxidants which help to neutralise free radicals and is also good for the skin.

Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

What happens when you add lime to milk? ›

When we add lime juice in boiling milk, the acid present in the lime disturbs the pH level of the milk and the protein molecules begin to form large chains. These chains of protein molecules separate themselves from water molecules and form a sediment or what we call chhena or paneer.

Is sugar-Free lemonade good for you? ›

There are several potential benefits to drinking sugar-free lemonade: Sugar-free lemonade is a low-calorie option: Lemonade made with sugar contains a lot of added sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in excess.

What is the sweetener in zero sugar lemonade? ›

Contains low calorie sweeteners: Aspartame and ...

Low calorie sweeteners were designed to impart a sweet taste without the calories or glucose effects of sugar.

Is sugar-free lemonade OK to drink? ›

Sugar-free lemonaide can be a healthy alternative to regular lemonade, as it contains fewer calories and less sugar. However, it's important to use natural sweeteners and avoid artificial sweeteners to ensure the drink is truly healthy.

Is sucralose good or bad for you? ›

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is generally considered safe when enjoyed in moderation. However, research on its long-term effects has turned up mixed results. Excessive amounts of added sugar can have harmful effects on your metabolism and overall health ( 1 ).

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