A frosty, brilliantly green blend of fresh lemon juice, mint leaves, sugar, and crushed ice, whipped into a slushy, refreshing drink. Limonana is the unofficial summer drink of Palestine.
Nutrition & Info
Equipment Needed
Instructions
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1
Squeeze fresh lemons to get about 1 cup of juice. Strain out seeds but leave some pulp for texture.
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2
Strip mint leaves from stems. You want about 1 packed cup of fresh mint leaves.
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3
Combine lemon juice, mint leaves, sugar, and cold water in a blender. Blend until mint is finely chopped.
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4
Add ice and blend on high until the mixture reaches a smooth, slushy consistency. Adjust sugar and lemon to taste.
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5
The texture should be thick and frosty, not watery. Add more ice if needed to achieve slush consistency.
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6
Pour into tall glasses and garnish with fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices. Serve immediately before it melts.
Did You Know?
The name limonana is a playful portmanteau of "limon" (lemon) and "nana" (mint) — a word as refreshing as the drink itself.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- blender
- citrus juicer
- glasses
The Story Behind Limonana
Limonana emerged as a beloved Levantine refreshment in the latter half of the 20th century, quickly becoming the quintessential Palestinian summer drink. The combination of lemon and mint has ancient roots in the region, but the frozen, blended preparation is a modern innovation enabled by the availability of electric blenders. On hot Palestinian summer days, every juice shop and cafe serves their version of limonana, and the debate over the ideal ratio of lemon to mint to sugar is a beloved topic of friendly argument.
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