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Limonana (Middle Eastern frozen mint lemonade recipe) is sweet, tart, and refreshing, and perfect for cooling down with on a hot day!
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 Limonana is the most refreshing beverage, pretty much ever.
I first had this drink at a restaurant here in Kuwait City. A friend ordered it and told me it was the best drink to cool down with during a heat wave. I was a little skeptical about how it would taste after looking at its green color, but I took a sip and was instantly hooked! The addition of mint and the slushy texture make it even more refreshing than regular lemonade.
What is Limonana?
It’s a refreshing slushy drink made of lemonade blended with fresh mint and ice. You can think of it as frozen mint lemonade!
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.
The name of this drink comes from the Arabic words for lemon (ليمون, pronounced “lymoun”) and mint (نعناع, pronounced “naenae”).
The Trick to Making This Frozen Mint Lemonade Recipe
Although it’s super simple to make, there is a trick to this drink. 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.
Ingredients
Breaking It Down
Ingredients Explained
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Sugar – Use granulated white sugar here. We start this recipe by making a simple syrup (which is just a mixture of water and sugar) to sweeten the lemonade.
- Water – Regular filtered water.
- Lemon juice – For the best tangy citrusy flavor, squeeze the fresh lemons right before you make this drink.
- Fresh mint – You’ll need about 40 mint leaves for this recipe, which was about 4 stems-worth of leaves (each of my mint stems had about 10 leaves).
- Ice cubes – For this recipe, we blend the ice right in with the lemonade so it forms a slushy consistency.
- Orange blossom water – This is optional, but makes this refreshing drink something truly special. It adds a lovely subtle floral background aroma. If you don’t have orange blossom water, you can substitute with rosewater instead.
What Type of Mint to Use
I typically use spearmint (not peppermint) here, but you can use whatever variety of fresh mint you like.
How to Make Limonana
- Make the simple syrup – 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.
- Blend – Add the cooled sugar syrup, remaining 1/2 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.
- Serve – Pour into 2 tall glasses, garnish with mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to let the simple syrup cool to room temperature. Otherwise, its heat will melt the ice immediately and you won’t get the desired frozen slushy texture!
- A high-speed blender works best for this this recipe. I’ve found that I get the best slushy texture from high-speed blenders because of how powerful they are; they’re able to essentially turn the ice into “snow” without melting it.
Storage
Similar to a smoothie, this frozen drink is best if you make it right before you want to drink it so it doesn’t melt.
However, you can make the simple syrup up to 1 month ahead of time and store it in a glass jar in the fridge.
Variations
- Lime – Use fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice, or a mix of both.
- Sugar – Make this drink low carb and diabetic-friendly by using a keto sugar substitute, such as allulose/monk fruit sweetener blend.
Liz’s Virtual Baby Shower
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
- 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
Salads
- 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
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tostada by A Zesty Bite
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguine by Taste and Tell
- Chicken Saltimbocca with Creamy Lemon Sauce and Olive Orzo by Baker by Nature
Desserts
- Honey Lemon Shortbread Cookies by Rachel Cooks
- 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
- Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Chips by Seeded at the Table
More Drinks to Cool Down With
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Limonana (Middle Eastern Frozen Mint Lemonade Recipe)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 14 tablespoons water divided
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 40 fresh mint leaves this was about 4 stems-worth of leaves for me, plus a few extra sprigs for garnish if desired
- 20 ice cubes
- 2 drops orange blossom water optional
Instructions
- Simple Syrup: 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.
- Blend: Add the cooled sugar syrup, remaining 1/2 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.
- Serve: Pour into 2 tall glasses, garnish with mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can make the simple syrup up to 1 month ahead of time and store it in a glass jar in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
Share it with me on Instagram and leave a comment to let me know your thoughts!
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 14, 2013 and updated on July 3, 2024.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Free Bonus
I followed the recipe with two exceptions – used lime instead of yellow lemons because that’s what I can get here in Colombia, only used 10 full sized ice cubes because 20:would not fit in my knockoff Bullet blender. Upon tasting it added 4 tbsp more sugar and 10 more leaves of mint. The result? Awesome! And it looked lovely served in two large wine glasses. (We’ll be adding rum next time for Better Than Mojitos!)
What is orange blossom water and can I use normal wter only for making this
Smiriti, Orange blossom water (also sometimes called orange flower water) is made from orange tree blossoms. Similar to rosewater, it has a floral aroma and flavor and should be used sparingly so it doesn’t overpower a recipe. You can omit the orange blossom water in this recipe with no problem. :)
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!
Wow, this is gorgeous! That color! Sounds so delicious!
it looks so refreshing! I want it for the next 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!
Hey there! Because this recipe is so delicious, we featured it here: http://www.dreamingofbutterflies.co/10-yummy-lemonade-recipes-hydrated-summer/
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.
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 would still drink this in the middle of a snow storm – it looks amazing!!
So refreshing! I would like one right now! These are just so perfect for Liz’s shower.
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.
Such a nice and refreshing drink.
Such a nice way to celebrate your friend’s special day.
Oooh! Nice. It sounds so refreshing! I have some fresh mint so maybe I’ll try it out. :)
I think you are right… this would be amazing any time of 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!
This sounds so light and refreshing!I’m down for a frozen beverage any day of the year!
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!
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
This looks like the ultimate refresher!
That sounds so refreshing Faith! It is hard to believe it’s 90F over there – it’s getting COLD here!
This is such a pretty drink! Thanks for celebrating Liz with us.
This looks both beautiful and refreshing!!
Whoa! This is such a cool and fun drink! Definitely can’t wait to try!
Oh man this limonana looks so good and I would like it right now!
This looks so refreshing! Wish we were all together enjoying one of these. Thanks for participating in the shower! :)
This is SO perfect for the party ;) We we were sipping these right now! xo
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
What a refreshing frozen treat! It was a pleasure bringing goodies to Liz’s shower with you, Faith!
Refreshing! This drink is so unique.
cheers,
Rosa
A totally unique drink! I can drink smoothies and eat soup all year round…so I’m in!
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!