Cool off with this delicious creamy lemonade recipe! Condensed milk lemonade is a 3-ingredient beverage that is citrusy, creamy, and so refreshing! This lemony drink is the perfect mix of tart and sweet and will have you hooked after the first sip.
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Creamy condensed milk lemonade
Creamy lemonade is such a tasty twist on classic lemonade. It’s sweet, tangy, slightly tart, and wonderfully creamy, thanks to the addition of sweetened condensed milk. Condensed milk adds a delicious creaminess and pairs beautifully with lemons.
And not only are the ingredients easy to find, but this condensed milk drink recipe is super simple to make as well. It takes just a few minutes to squeeze your lemons and blend it all up. You can easily double or triple the amounts if you need a big batch for a BBQ or potluck.
Condensed milk lemonade is a great beverage to enjoy during the summer when the temperatures are soaring. It also tastes fabulous in winter when lemons are in season and at their juicy best.
Looking for more drinks with condensed milk? Try or delicious condensed milk iced coffee and Orange Julius next!
And for more icy refresheres, check out this McDonald’s sweet tea!
Ingredients
3 basic ingredients combine for the most incredible summer lemon drink. It really doesn’t get much easier than this! Refer to the recipe card at the end of the post for exact measurements.
- Lemon juice: You need 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice for this recipe, which is 5 to 6 lemons. Look for lemons that are fragrant and slightly soft.
- Sweetened condensed milk makes this drink stand out from other lemonade recipes. It provides a wonderful sweetness, creaminess, and a lovely milk flavor. Make sure to buy sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
- Water adjusts the consistency. Be sure to use cold water, so it doesn’t melt the ice. You can use still or sparkling water to make the lemonade fizzy.
- Ice (optional) helps to keep the drink cool. I like crushed ice. Of course, you can use ice cubes as well.
How to make creamy lemonade
This lemonade with condensed milk is so simple because you don’t have to cook simple syrup and a blender or stick blender does all the mixing. From there, just pour over ice and sip away!
#1: Step: Squeeze lemons
Slice each lemon lengthwise in half. Use your citrus juicer to extract as much lemon juice as you can. If you have a hand-held lemon reamer, put a bowl underneath to catch the juice.
#2: Step: Mix juice and condensed milk
Pour the lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk into a blender and pulse a few times to combine. It may seem like the lemon juice is splitting the condensed milk. Just continue blending and it will become smooth again. Alternately, mix the ingredients with an immersion blender.
#3: Step: Add water
Add the water, and give everything a quick stir until well combined.
#4: Step: Chill + pour
Keep the creamy lemonade chilled in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, add crushed ice or ice cubes into a glass and pour in the lemonade. Optionally, garnish with a few lemon wedges. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the best creamy lemonade
For the best condensed milk lemonade, check out my helpful tips and tricks. Each one is designed to keep your creamy lemonade refreshing, flavorful, and on point!
- Microwave lemons: Put your lemons on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 20 to 30 seconds. This may seem strange, but it helps release more juice from the fruits.
- Strain the juice: If you notice seeds or large chunks of pulp in your lemon juice, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
- Adjust the sweetness: I think condensed milk adds enough sweetness. Still, if you want the lemon drink sweeter, add simple syrup until your desired level of sweetness.
- Chill the pitcher + glasses: If the pitcher and glasses are cold beforehand, you don’t need as much ice and it won’t dilute the lemonade.
- Don’t stir: Avoid stirring the creamy lemonade after adding the sparkling water, or you’ll start to stir out the fizz and carbonation.
- Don’t add ice to the pitcher because it will water down the lemonade. Instead, add ice to glasses before pouring and serving.
- Garnish: Drinks taste better when they are dressed up. Feel free to garnish the drink with fresh lemon slices. It will look pretty and adds an extra punch of citrus. You can also decorate your cream lemonade with fresh mint leaves and berries.
Variations & substitutions
The best part about making your own creamy lemonade is that you can customize the recipe. Here are a few easy ways to switch up lemonade with condensed milk!
- Extra tart lemonade: If you want your milk lemonade extra tart, mix in the finely grated zest of 1 to 2 lemons.
- Other citrus fruits: Limes are an excellent alternative to lemons. You can also swap in grapefruits or oranges. If using oranges and other sweet citrus fruits, add a splash of lemon juice to make it tangier.
- Soda: Substitute the water with lemon or lime soda to intensify the citrus aroma and add fizz.
- Syrup: A drizzle of grenadine syrup adds a beautiful color effect and flavor component.
- Add herbs: Herbs infuse extra flavor and make the lemonade look picture-perfect. Mint, basil, and thyme are some of my favorite add-ins.
- Vegan: Replace condensed milk with condensed coconut milk or full-fat coconut milk. It gives a beautiful tropical flavor!
- Boozy: Add a splash of coconut rum or vodka for an adults-only version of this lemonade.
Serving suggestions
- Serve creamy lemonade on a hot day along with a cold pitcher of raspberry lemonade for even more refreshment.
- Serve alongside lemon ice cream to cool off the senses.
- Enjoy it with a stack of lemon curd pancakes for the ultimate lemon summer breakfast.
Storage instructions
If you have leftovers of your condensed milk lemonade, transfer them into an airtight pitcher or large mason jar and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The components may separate as your lemonade sits, so give the drink a quick stir before serving.
FAQ
Can I make creamy lemonade from bottled lemon juice?
Yes, you can make this creamy lemonade with bottled lemon juice. Just note that bottle lemon juice doesn’t have the same aromatic flavor and tang as freshly juice, so your frothy lemonade tastes different.
Can I make creamy lemonade without condensed milk?
Yes, you can prepare creamy lemonade without condensed milk. Instead, use heavy cream to mimic the milky creaminess and simple syrup to sweeten the drink.
What about vegan creamy lemonade?
To make this milk lemonade vegan and dairy-free, substitute regular condensed milk with sweetened coconut condensed milk or condensed oat milk. Coconut tastes incredible and adds a wonderful tropical note.
Is this the same as Brazilian lemonade?
No. Although both use condensed milk and have a milky appearance, condensed milk lemonade and Brazilian lemonade are different. Creamy lemonade is made with lemons, whereas Brazilian lemonade is prepared with limes.
Brazilian lemonade is actually a limeade, but the Portuguese word for lime is limão and the drink is called limonada, which translates to lemonade.
Reasons to love creamy lemonade with condensed milk
- Refreshing: This lemon juice drink is a delicious and refreshing drink that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a wonderful way to cool down on a hot day.
- Simple: This zingy lemonade requires only a few ingredients and is easy to follow.
- No simple syrup: Since condensed milk sweetens this lemon milk drink, there’s no need to cook a simple syrup. Just mix and sip!
- Versatile: The recipe can be customized with other citrus fruits like limes, grapefruits, or oranges.
More refreshing drinks
Homemade drinks are a delicious way to keep yourself cool and refreshed. Here are a few more of my favorite recipes. They are all super tasty and easy to make!
- Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie
- Mango Magic Smoothie
- Mocha Madness Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
- Sunrise Sunset Smoothie
Creamy Lemonade Recipe
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Cool off with this delicious creamy lemonade recipe! Condensed milk lemonade is a 3-ingredient beverage that is citrusy, creamy, and so refreshing! This lemony drink is the perfect mix of tart and sweet and will have you hooked after the first sip.
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 240 ml / 8 fl oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup / 300 g / 10.5 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups / 700 ml / 24 fl oz cold water (still or sparkling)
- 3 cups / 500 g / 18 oz ice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Squeeze lemons. Slice each lemon lengthwise in half. Use your citrus juicer to extract as much lemon juice as you can. If you have a hand-held lemon reamer, put a bowl underneath to catch the juice.
- Mix juice and condensed milk. Pour the lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk into a blender and pulse a few times to combine. It may seem like the lemon juice is splitting the condensed milk. Just continue blending and it will become smooth again. Alternately, mix the ingredients with an immersion blender.
- Add water. Add the water, and give everything a quick stir until well combined.
- Chill + pour. Keep the creamy lemonade chilled in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, add crushed ice or ice cubes into a glass and pour in the lemonade. Optionally, garnish with a few lemon wedges. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice delivers the best taste and zing, but bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch.
Condensed Milk
My recipe doesn’t use the whole can of condensed milk, only 1 cup. I find that creates plenty of sweetness and creaminess. Of course, feel free to add the entire can if you like your lemonade extra sweet and creamy.
However, if you prefer a less creamy version, use only 1/3 cup condensed milk and1/2 cup white granulated sugar or 1/3 cup simple syrup.
I usually use full-fat sweetened condensed milk. Fat-reduced condensed milk is a good choice to cut back on the richness.
Use coconut milk, condensed coconut milk, or condensed oat milk for a vegan/dairy-free version.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 222Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 37gProtein: 5g
