This Ponderosa Lemon Brazilian Lemonade is tart, sweet, and fragrant! Made with Ponderosa Lemons and sweetened condensed milk, it’s a twist on a classic Brazilian beverage also known as limonada suíça.
I’m not going to lie, I struggled on how to title this recipe!! Should I have called it Brazilian Ponderosa Lemon Lemonade? Brazilian Ponderosa Lemonade? Because I wanted it to be clear that this is made with Ponderosa lemons, but using the words “lemon lemonade” next to each other sounds horribly redundant. However, I felt that the double reference to lemons was necessary because Brazilian lemonade is actually traditionally made with limes. And we’re not using limes here – we’re using Ponderosa lemons!
Now, I am very aware that Ponderosa lemons are rare and hard to find. Don’t worry, if you don’t have your own tree, you can make this recipe with regular lemons and limes. That being said, I wanted to create a recipe for my fellow niche-fruit enthusiasts because Ponderosa lemons are worth the effort!
Ponderosa lemons are actually a cross between the citron and the pomelo, creating a fragrant, unique citrus fruit. I find them to have a more floral, herbal note than regular lemons. If you ARE lucky enough to get your hands on some, be sure to check out the recipe notes regarding using the pith/peel. Those parts can hold some bitterness, so if that’s not your thing, I have solutions for you! Enjoy!! :)
I LOVE lemons and have a lot of lemon-y recipes on my blog!! These are some of my savory favorites:
- This easy Lemon Herb Orzo
- This Lemon Peel Chili Crisp that goes with anything
- This fresh and zesty Lemon Zucchini Pasta
Or try these sweet ones:
- This Lemon Cake with Chantilly Cream
- This tangy and sweet Lemon Curd (make it with regular or pink lemons!)
- This refreshing Grapefruit Mint Lemonade
Ponderosa Lemon Brazilian Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 Large Ponderosa Lemon de-seeded, SEE NOTES!
- 1 Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 4 Cups Water
Instructions
- To start, wash your Ponderosa lemon very well then dry it. Cut it in half, then those pieces in half again, and remove any seeds. If desired, cut out some of the white pith to reduce bitterness.
- Add the lemon pieces, condensed milk, and water to a high speed blender, and blend on high for one minute.
- Then, pour the lemonade over a fine mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the citrus solids. Gently press the fruit solids to extract any leftover liquid. The mixture may be a little foamy after blending – whisk it slowly to help remove some of the bubbles.
- Taste the lemonade, and adjust to your liking – add more sweetened condensed milk for more sweetness, or add a little regular lemon juice for more tartness.
- Serve over ice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure you wash your citrus very well before using, and use organic if possible, since you are using the whole fruit.
- Ponderosa lemons have thick pith (which is the white, often bitter layer between the rind and actual flesh of the fruit). If desired, cut the pith off of one half of the lemon before adding it to the blender. This will make the lemonade less bitter. However, the colorful peel itself contains flavorful essential oils, so be sure to add at least some peel to the blender.
- To add more sourness to this recipe, add the juice from 1/2 – 1 full regular lemon.
- If you can’t get your hands on a Ponderosa lemon, use one lemon and two limes for this recipe. Traditional lemons and limes usually don’t have as much pith as Ponderosa lemons, so you may not need to remove any of it before adding them to the blender.
Nutrition
Ponderosa Lemon Brazilian Lemonade FAQs
How long does Ponderosa Lemon Brazilian Lemonade last?
This lemonade will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
Why is it called Brazilian lemonade when it uses limes? Why do Brazilians call it Swiss lemonade?
Fun fact – in Portuguese, the word for lemon and lime is the same: limão. I have not seen this definitively stated online, but I’m guessing that when Brazilian lemonade because popular among English-speaking people, the term lemonade just stuck. Funnily enough, in Brazil this is also called limonada suíça, or Swiss lemonade. It got this moniker due to the addition of sweetened condensed milk, which was heavily advertised in Brazil by the Swiss company Nestlé. But I guess when Brazilian lemonade became popular over here, we kept the credit with Brazil!
What are Ponderosa lemons? What do Ponderosa lemons taste like?
Ponderosa lemons are a cross between citrons and pomelos, so they have a floral, fragrant note that regular lemons don’t. They have a bumpy rind, and a thick inner white pith. They also grow to be larger than most traditional lemons, with some reaching 2-5 lbs!!
Where can I find Ponderosa lemons?
I bought my Ponderosa lemon tree at a garden center here in Connecticut, but you can also buy them on Amazon (affiliate link)! Be sure to do a Google search or call ahead to your local garden center to see what’s available in your area. But don’t worry, even if you can’t find Ponderosa lemons, you can still make this recipe with regular lemons and limes!
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes, dinner parties, and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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