Are you looking for a refreshing and delicious drink to quench your thirst on a hot day? Look no further than this Milk Limeade recipe! Made with fresh, juicy limes and creamy evaporated milk (or your preferred milk substitute), this recipe is easy to make and perfect for using any extra limes. Whether lounging by the pool or hosting a summer barbecue, this tasty drink impresses your guests and leaves you feeling relaxed and refreshed. So grab your blender and get ready to mix up a batch of this delicious Milk Limeade!
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What is Milk Limeade?
Milk Limeade is a refreshing and creamy beverage made with fresh lime juice, water, and milk. This popular drink is a traditional beverage in many Latin American countries and is enjoyed for its tangy, citrusy flavor with a smooth and creamy texture. The recipe typically includes freshly squeezed lime juice, water, sugar, and evaporated or regular milk. The mixture is blended, strained to remove the pulp, and served over ice. It is a perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day and is often enjoyed as a breakfast or mid-day beverage.
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Seedless Persian limes: These limes provide the main flavor for the drink. The acidic juice of the limes gives the drink its tangy and refreshing taste.
- Water: The water is used to dilute the lime juice and sugar and create the base for the drink. It also helps to make the drink more hydrating.
- Evaporated milk or whole milk: The milk is added to the drink to give it a creamy and smooth texture. The evaporated milk adds richness and a slightly caramelized flavor to the drink.
- Sugar: The sugar is used to sweeten the drink to taste. It helps balance the lime juice's tartness and makes the drink more enjoyable.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Milk Limeade
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Pour the evaporated milk into a large pitcher; set it aside. Place the quartered limes in the blender along with the water and sugar. Blend on high speed until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the Milk Limeade mixture through a metal strainer over the large pitcher and press the solids to extract all liquid. (Discard the solids). Mix well until completely incorporated. Pour into a serving glass and serve immediately! Add more ice if desired. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Milk: If you're lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free version, you can use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk instead of evaporated milk or whole milk. Just make sure it's unsweetened.
- Sugar: If you prefer a natural sweetener, use honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup instead of sugar. Keep in mind that these may alter the flavor slightly.
- Lime juice: If you don't have fresh limes, use bottled lime juice instead. Just ensure it's pure lime juice without added sugars or flavors.
- Water: You can also use sparkling water or soda water to add a fizzy texture to the drink.
Variations
- Coconut Limeade: Add ½ cup of coconut cream to the recipe to give the drink a creamy and tropical flavor.
- Strawberry Limeade: Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries to the recipe to give the drink a sweet and fruity twist.
- Mint Limeade: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the blender and the other ingredients to give the drink a refreshing and cooling flavor.
- Pineapple Limeade: Add 1 cup of fresh or canned pineapple chunks and other ingredients to the blender to give the drink a sweet and tangy flavor.
How to Serve
Milk Limeade is best served immediately after making it while it's still cold and refreshing. Here are some tips for serving: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour the Milk Limeade over the ice, leaving some space at the top of the glass. Garnish the drink with a slice of lime or a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Serve the drink with a straw and enjoy it right away.
This recipe is a great drink to serve at summer barbecues and picnics or as a refreshing beverage to accompany a meal. You can also serve it with fresh fruit or a light snack to make it a complete and satisfying treat.
How to Store
Milk Limeade is best enjoyed fresh and should be consumed immediately after making it. However, Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's important to note that the milk in the drink may separate and curdle over time, so mix it well before serving.
Make-Ahead
To make this recipe ahead of time, you can prepare the limeade mixture by blending the limes, water, and sugar as instructed. However, leave out the milk and ice cubes. Store the limeade mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, add the evaporated milk, whole milk, and ice cubes to the mixture and mix well. This way, the limeade will stay fresh, and you can enjoy it quickly by adding the remaining ingredients before serving.
Tips for Making The Best Milk Limeade
- Use fresh, high-quality limes: Fresh limes will give the best flavor to your drink. Look for firm, shiny limes that have a bright green color.
- Remove the white membrane line from the limes: This is part of the bitter lime, so be sure to remove it before blending the limes.
- Adjust the sugar to your liking: Some people prefer their limeade to be sweeter than others, so be sure to adjust the sugar to your taste.
- Use cold water and milk: Cold ingredients will help refresh the drink.
- Strain the mixture: Straining the mixture through a metal strainer will help to remove any pulp and solids from the lime juice.
- Serve immediately: Milk Limeade can turn bitter if it sits too long, so be sure to serve it immediately after making it.
- Experiment with variations: You can add other fruits or flavors to your Milk Limeade, such as coconut rum or strawberries, to create your unique version of this classic drink.
FAQ
Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh limes?
You can use bottled lime juice if fresh limes are unavailable. However, the flavor may not be as fresh or vibrant as using fresh lime juice.
Can I use non-dairy milk in this recipe?
You can use non-dairy milk such as almond, coconut, or oat milk in the recipe to make it dairy-free.
Can I adjust the sweetness of Milk Limeade?
You can adjust the sugar in the recipe to your taste preferences.
Can I add other flavors to This recipe?
You can experiment with flavors like coconut, strawberry, or mint to add a new twist to the classic recipe.
My Milk Limeade turned out to be too bitter. What did I do wrong?
The bitterness in limes usually comes from the white membrane. Ensure that you've removed the white membrane from the limes as instructed. You can try adjusting the sugar to taste if it's still too bitter.
My Milk Limeade has separated. What should I do?
Separation can occur if the mixture sits for too long. Simply give it a good stir to recombine the ingredients before serving
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Recipe
Milk Limeade
Ingredients
- 4 washed Seedless Persian limes , cut both ends, and cut them into 8 wedges with the skin *(Make sure to remove the white membrane line from inside with your knife, that’s where most of the bitterness is).
- 4 cups cold water (If you prefer it more diluted, add more water)
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup sugar , to taste
- 2 cups ice cubes , plus more for serving
Instructions
- Pour the evaporated milk into a large pitcher; set it aside. Place the quartered limes in the blender along with the water and sugar. Blend on high speed until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour the Milk Limeade mixture through a metal strainer over the large pitcher and press the solids to extract all liquid. (Discard the solids).
- Mix well until completely incorporated. Pour the Milk Limeade into a serving glass and serve immediately!. Add more ice, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.