Limonana

Limonana is a bright, icy blend of fresh lemon juice, mint, sugar, and ice, with a refreshing balance of tartness and sweetness. The finished drink is fragrant, frosty, and intensely cooling, perfect for a hot afternoon.

Nutrition · per serving

118kcal

0.8gProtein

30.5gCarbs

0.2gFat

1gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

7 items

Limonana base

fresh lemon juice120 ml

cold water240 ml

caster sugar50 g

fresh mint leaves, loosely packed20 g

ice cubes300 g

To serve

mint sprigs2

thin lemon slices2

Tips

•For a colder, thicker drink, chill the water and glasses in advance.
•If your lemons are very tart, increase the sugar by 5-10 g; if they are sweet, reduce it slightly.
•A high-speed blender gives the smoothest slush texture, but any blender will work if the ice is added gradually.
•For a cafe-style presentation, rub the rim lightly with lemon before serving.

Steps

1
Pick the mint leaves from any thick stems, then juice the lemons if not already juiced. For the brightest flavor, avoid crushing the mint too long later, which can make the drink slightly bitter.
120 ml fresh lemon juice20 g fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
2
Add the fresh lemon juice, cold water, caster sugar, and mint leaves to a blender. Blend for about 10 seconds, just until the sugar starts dissolving and the mint is finely broken up.
120 ml fresh lemon juice240 ml cold water50 g caster sugar20 g fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
3
Add the ice cubes and blend again for 20-30 seconds until the drink is frosty, thick, and slushy but still pourable. If needed, stop and scrape down the sides once for even blending.
300 g ice cubes
4
Taste and adjust only if necessary: a proper limonana should be sharply lemony, sweet enough to balance, and very minty. Divide immediately between 2 chilled glasses.
5
Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a thin lemon slice. Serve at once before the ice melts.
2 mint sprigs2 thin lemon slices

Origin & History

Limonana is a modern Israeli summer drink made from limon (lemon) and nana (mint). It became especially famous in the 1990s and is now a staple in cafes, juice stands, and home kitchens across Israel during hot weather.

israeli drink vegan mint lemon summer blended

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Steps

Pick the mint leaves from any thick stems, then juice the lemons if not already juiced. For the brightest flavor, avoid crushing the mint too long later, which can make the drink slightly bitter.

120 ml fresh lemon juice20 g fresh mint leaves, loosely packed

Add the fresh lemon juice, cold water, caster sugar, and mint leaves to a blender. Blend for about 10 seconds, just until the sugar starts dissolving and the mint is finely broken up.

120 ml fresh lemon juice240 ml cold water50 g caster sugar20 g fresh mint leaves, loosely packed

Add the ice cubes and blend again for 20-30 seconds until the drink is frosty, thick, and slushy but still pourable. If needed, stop and scrape down the sides once for even blending.

300 g ice cubes

Taste and adjust only if necessary: a proper limonana should be sharply lemony, sweet enough to balance, and very minty. Divide immediately between 2 chilled glasses.

Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a thin lemon slice. Serve at once before the ice melts.

2 mint sprigs2 thin lemon slices