It’s October. It may or may not be snowing profusely where you are. (Although I’m not there now, where I come from, it more than likely is snowing profusely!)
I realize that.
So what am I doing posting a frozen beverage?
Try as I might to simulate autumn in my apartment here in Kuwait with chilly AC, apple cinnamon-scented candles, and pumpkin spice lattes, the truth remains that temps are still in the 90s in the afternoon. I occasionally need a little cool-me-down, and this is the most refreshing beverage, pretty much ever.
This drink is a classic favorite throughout the Middle East where refreshing beverages are an absolute necessity. It looks impressive, but is actually so easy to make…it’s really no harder than regular lemonade, although there is an additional step of blending the lemonade with ice. Although it’s super simple to make, there is a trick to it; the key to the perfect Limonana is in the ratio of lemon to sugar to water. Part of what makes this drink so refreshing is the fact that it’s served frozen, so in order to not be watered down, you need to start with a very concentrated lemonade. I played with the ratio and I think the recipe below is perfect: both sweet and tart, as lemonade should be, and not watered down at all, even as the slushie drink melts.
Just a heads-up, this drink will separate as the icy slush rises to the top of the liquid. Not in a gross way though, and its flavor is not affected…it’s sort of like how ice cubes rise to the top of a drink.
If you’re in a part of the world where it’s still hot or if you’re enjoying fall but you get a random hot day, give this a try! It will be an instant hit.
I made this lemony treat in honor of Liz (The Lemon Bowl) who will be welcoming a baby boy into her family! (Hugs and kisses and huge congrats to you, Liz!) Also, a big thank-you to Rachel (Rachel Cooks), Kristen (Dine & Dish), and Sheila (Eat2Gather) for organizing this event!
Here are the other fabulous bloggers participating in the virtual shower, along with what they’re making…
Appetizers
Whipped Feta Spread with Lemon, Garlic & Rosemary by Miss in the Kitchen
Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” in a Lemon Cup with Smoked Paprika by Climbing Grier Mountain
Lemon Basil Bruschetta by Dine & Dish
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries w/ Lemon Basil Aioli by What’s Gaby Cooking
Lemon Garlic Herb Marinated Olives by Sarah’s Cucina Bella
Kalamata Olive and Feta Dip with Baked Lemon Pepper Pita Chips by In Aggie’s Kitchen
Creamy Asparagus Guacamole by The Healthy Apple
Beverages
Sparkling Honey Rosemary Lemonade by Nutmeg Nanny
Basil Hibiscus Lemonade by Fabtastic Eats
Jam Mocktails: Lemon & Pineapple by Cooking with Books
Lemon Jalapeno Spritzers by Bev Cooks
Sparkling Blackberry Lemonade by Crumbs and Chaos
Tipsy Lemonade Iced Tea by Family Fresh Cooking
Salads
Kale Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing by Thrifty Veggie Mama
Lemon Quinoa Salad with Pistachios & Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Cookin’ Canuck
Greek Salad with Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette by Gimme Some Oven
Pear Quinoa Salad by Reluctant Entertainer
Lemon Avocado Salad Dressing by The Lean Green Bean
Lemony Spinach & Tomato Quinoa Salad by MomAdvice
Herbed Calamari Salad with Preserved Lemons by Everyday Maven
Main Dishes
Italian Lemon Roast Chicken Pot by Eat2Gather
Garlic Lemon Roasted Shrimp by Simply Scratch
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tostada by A Zesty Bite
Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguine by Taste and Tell
Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter by Handle the Heat
Lemon Chicken Stew by FoodieCrush
Chicken Saltimbocca with Creamy Lemon Sauce and Olive Orzo by Baker by Nature
Desserts
Honey Lemon Shortbread Cookies by Rachel Cooks
Lemon Blueberry Macarons by Chocolate & Carrots
Lemon Glazed Cookies by A Cedar Spoon
Healthier Lemon Bars by Texanerin Baking
Lemon Sugar Cookies by What Megan’s Making
Light Lemon Mousse by Country Cleaver
Lemon Sugar Cookie Sandwiches by i am baker
Mini Lemon Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust by The Law Student’s Wife
Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Chips by Seeded at the Table
- 6 tablespoons (115 g) sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) plus 6 tablespoons (90 ml) water, divided
- ½ cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 4 stems worth of mint leaves (about 40 leaves, which is about 2 g) with the stems discarded, plus a few extra sprigs for garnish if desired
- 18-20 ice cubes
- 1-2 drops orange blossom water (optional)
- Add the sugar and 6 tablespoons of water to a small saucepan; heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
- Add the cooled sugar syrup, remaining ½ cup water, lemon juice, mint leaves, ice cubes, and orange blossom water (if using) to a blender. Pulse a few times to break up the ice and then process until slushy.
- Pour into 2 tall glasses, garnish with mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
I’ve never had anything like this, I love the idea of mint with the lemon. It’s still hot in Oklahoma, so I will be making these soon!
A totally unique drink! I can drink smoothies and eat soup all year round…so I’m in!
Refreshing! This drink is so unique.
cheers,
Rosa
What a refreshing frozen treat! It was a pleasure bringing goodies to Liz’s shower with you, Faith!
I love this drink and I love that it uses orange blossom water!!!!! Thank you so much for participating from across the world!!! Loving all of your photos from IG. xoxoox
This is SO perfect for the party ;) We we were sipping these right now! xo
This looks so refreshing! Wish we were all together enjoying one of these. Thanks for participating in the shower! :)
Oh man this limonana looks so good and I would like it right now!
Whoa! This is such a cool and fun drink! Definitely can’t wait to try!
This looks both beautiful and refreshing!!
This is such a pretty drink! Thanks for celebrating Liz with us.
That sounds so refreshing Faith! It is hard to believe it’s 90F over there – it’s getting COLD here!
This looks like the ultimate refresher!
Beautiful. This limonana speaks directly to my citrus loving palate – what a brilliant twist on traditional lemonade!
When the cold winds first make their appearance, I’d give anything to be someplace warm, whilst at the same time I know I would miss the changing of the seasons. Still, I’m not ready to unfurl the electric blanket(s). :D
Absolutely gorgeous! I think my kiddos would love this! Thanks so much for taking the time to be a part of this very fun surprise for Liz!
This sounds so light and refreshing!I’m down for a frozen beverage any day of the year!
Thanks for this recipe. My husband loves to order this drink when we go out here in Saudi. This will be so much cheaper.
Eid Mubarak!
I think you are right… this would be amazing any time of year!!
Oooh! Nice. It sounds so refreshing! I have some fresh mint so maybe I’ll try it out. :)
Such a nice and refreshing drink.
Such a nice way to celebrate your friend’s special day.
How sweet to have a virtual baby shower. And I cannot beleive I have never heard of this beverage. I want tsome now. No snow here, not bad weather but my apt is hot at 25C. I need a glass now lol.
So refreshing! I would like one right now! These are just so perfect for Liz’s shower.
I would still drink this in the middle of a snow storm – it looks amazing!!
I was intrigued by the drink when a friend mentioned it on return from Saudi Arabia. Found this recipe. First glance was wow 40 leaves of mint. I have to assume I did something wrong as from reading its supposed to be lemony however tasted like I was eating mint leaves. Am I missing something with the “40” leaves?
John, I know 40 mint leaves sounds like a lot of mint, but the total weight of mint leaves is about 2 g (I have added this info to the recipe above), so it really isn’t as much mint as you might think it is when you see 40 leaves. Yes, this drink should taste lemony (which it does; it has the same sweet/tart flavor as lemonade), but the flavor of mint is also integral. (In Arabic, the name of this drink comes from lemon (limon) and mint (nana).) Every time I’ve ever had this particular drink in the Middle East (which is fairly often as my husband and I live in Kuwait and have also lived in Syria and Jordan), this drink is always green from mint and the flavor of mint is always prevalent right along with the sweet/tart flavor of lemonade.
I went for supper at the Humus Kitchen on 9th avenue in New York last weekend. I ordered a limonana because i never had one before, it was so good, can’t wait to try the recipe.
Hey there! Because this recipe is so delicious, we featured it here: http://www.dreamingofbutterflies.co/10-yummy-lemonade-recipes-hydrated-summer/
Can you use stevia to make the simple syrup?
Lisa, I haven’t made this drink with stevia, but I have made lemonade with stevia before so I think it would be fine. If the stevia you’re using blends easily into water, there is no need to go through the process of making simple syrup (because the point of heating the sugar + water is to dissolve the sugar). If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
it looks so refreshing! I want it for the next summer :)
Wow, this is gorgeous! That color! Sounds so delicious!
I want to add some type of alcohol to this drink, limonana.
What do you suggest? Vodka, champagne?
Please advise. Thank you.
Jessica, Yes, you could use vodka. Or as a play on the mint here and in a Mojito, you could use rum. Let me know how it goes if you try it!