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This summertime drink is as refreshing as it is delicious. Made using simple wholesome pantry-staple ingredients, this creamy lemonade stands out miles above the rest.
A Little About This Recipe
This recipe combines two lemonades into a “best of both worlds” drink. Drawing from the viral Brazilian Lemonade recipe – a fantastic drink that is made by blending together (whole) limes with water, straining and then sweetening with condensed milk, this recipe utilizes the condensed milk element of it and pairs it freshly squeezed lemon juice from the more classic version to create a recipe that is phenomenally balanced, sweet and insanely refreshing for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer⛱️😎🌻🎡☀️ Sip sip ahhhhh….
You’re going to love this recipe because it’s:
- Insanely easy to make and uses just three ingredients – two if you don’t count water!
- You can make your own condensed milk at home in under an hour using just milk and sugar so even if you don’t have any on hand this recipe is still within reach!
- It’s clean eating, gluten-free and incredibly refreshing.
- It takes just 5-10 minutes to make and serve.
- You can store it in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- You can freeze and then blend it to make yourself a carnival/fair-worthy slushie!
Ingredients Needed
- Water: does this even count as an ingredient per se?
- Lemon Juice: You have to use freshly squeezed juice for this recipe, there is no substitutions. The only potential substitution you can make is to swap your regular lemons for Meyer lemons or limes (key lime anyone??)
- Condensed Milk: If you look at the above image you’ll notice my condensed milk is a bit darker, that’s because it’s homemade using just two ingredients – whole milk and raw cane sugar (hence why it’s darker in color). The taste is identical to store bought. Of course if you prefer you can use the store-bought brand but knowing you can make it at home is a great alternative!
An Easy Trick to Juicing Lemons! 🍋
If you’re like me and you’re don’t have a citrus squeezer, juicer, press or any of the other gadgets here’s a super simple and easy trick to get all the juice out your lemons. It’s so easy you won’t even miss your juicer! Simply cut your lemon in half and insert the tines of a fork into the half, then, while squeezing the lemon from above and below the flat side of the fork (as you would when juicing it) gently wiggle and work the fork side to side to allow all of the juice to easily flow out. If you like you can then rotate the half 90 degrees and do it again so you get every last zesty, tangy drop of gold!
Here’s How to Make this Creamy Dreamy Lemonade
Making this drink couldn’t be easier, simply add your water, lemon juice and condensed milk into a blender jug. And trust me when I tell you that using the blender is the best method for this drink, it gets everything incorporated perfectly!
Then, blend your drink together until fully combined and blended. It really is that simple!
Why Is My Drink Separating As It Sits?!
Do you notice that there is some separation in the above image, this happens when the freshly blended drink sits for a bit. This is normal and gently shaking or stirring it will emulsify it together once more and it does not change or affect the consistency or texture of the drink so no need to worry! As a matter of fact, this only happens when the drink is at room temp, so once it chills in the fridge, give it a shake and then you’ll notice that the separation stops happening.
If you want to avoid this on the whole, you can replace 1/3 – 1/2 of your water with ice and then blend it. This will allow the drink to be icy chilled and will stop the separation. Similarly, you can blend your drink and then immediately serve it over ice.
How To Make it Like Traditional Brazilian Lemonade
If you’d like to try making this more like a traditional Brazilian Lemonade which is just as refreshing then here’s how you do it…
Simply cut your whole lemons – or more traditionally limes – (zest, pith, seeds and all!) into quarters and blend it with your water for about 30 seconds until the lemons are fully broken down. Then strain the mixture and return the liquid to the blender cup along with the condensed mild and some ice if you like. Blend until smooth and fully combined. It will be frothy. Enjoy!
Bonus Treat: Make it Frozen!
Want to kick things up a notch? Make yourself a summertime frozen lemonade slushie! Freeze half of your drink into an ice cube tray, and, once frozen, blend it together with the rest of the lemonade using a high powered blender to create a slushie that will transport your right to the fair!
And there you have it, an easy and delicious drink that is as refreshing as it is easy to make. Whether you enjoy this during the heat of the summer or in the middle of winter for a bright and citrusy pick-me-up, you won’t be disappointed! Cheers!
Creamy Dreamy Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 large fresh lemon
- 5 oz condensed milk (more or less as desired)
Instructions
- Juice your lemons and add the juice to the jug of your high powered blender along with 3 cups of water and your condensed milk.
- Blend for 30-60 seconds until frothy and fully combined.
- Chill your lemonade. Note that there may be some separation as your lemonade sits, this is normal, simply shake or stir to combine it once more. As the drink chills this separation won't happen and it doesn't affect or change the taste or texture of the drink.
- Store your lemonade in a covered jug or jar in your fridge for 3-5 days. Or freeze for up to two months.
Notes
- To avoid separation on the whole you can replace 1/3 - 1/2 of your water with ice. Blend it for an extra minute to fully incorporate the ice. With your drink "pre-chilled" you won't have any issues with separation. Similarly you can make the recipe as directed and serve it poured over ice.
- You can also use any other citrus of your choice. Great options include meyer lemons, limes, or oranges.
- To make this more like a traditional Brazilian Lemonade -Simply cut your whole lemons - or more traditionally limes - (zest, pith, seeds and all!) into quarters and blend it with your water for about 30 seconds until the lemons are fully broken down. Then strain the mixture and return the liquid to the blender cup along with the condensed mild and some ice if you like. Blend until smooth and fully combined. It will be frothy. Enjoy!
