Frozen Mint Lemonade Recipe

Cool down this summer with a minty lemon slushie

Whenever I'm asked for restaurant recommendations in Israel, I share a long list of the best falafel and hummus spots, and places to sample the cutting edge of Tel Aviv's culinary scene. But there is always one must-try item on the list with no restaurant or café name attached to it: limonana. The refreshing mint-infused lemonade feels as ubiquitous in Israel as ice cream is in the U.S. It's sipped during lunch, at bars on the beach and grabbed on the go on a hot day. The mint-and-lemon combo instantly cuts the heat from the region's blistering sun.

While limonana is served in other Middle Eastern countries, the drink, as the story goes, became popular in Israel because of a fake advertising campaign. Advertising company Fogel Levin placed ads for a minty lemonade on buses in the 1990s to prove how effective bus ads could be. Two weeks later, with people asking for the drink, the team admitted that the whole thing was a hoax. But it caught on, and restaurants started to make the drink regardless.

These days, there are slushie versions, like this one, with chopped-up ice to make them extra refreshing. It's the best way to beat the heat, promise.

Recipe from the Tasting Table Test Kitchen

Frozen Mint Lemonade (Limonana)
5 from 41 ratings
Cool down with this minty lemon slushie from Tel Aviv. The mint-and-lemon combo instantly cuts the heat from the region’s blistering sun. It’s the best way to beat the heat, promise.
Prep Time
5
minutes
Cook Time
10
minutes
Servings
6
cups
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1¾ cups water, divided
  • 1¼ cups fresh mint leaves, divided, plus whole sprigs for garnish
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3½ cups ice
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions
  1. In a small saucepan, combine ¾ cup of the water, ¼ cup of the mint leaves, the sugar and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until the sugar has dissolved, 2 minutes.
  2. Let cool completely, then strain into a blender.
  3. To the blender, add the remaining ingredients and blend until a smooth slush forms.
  4. Divide between glasses, garnish with mint sprigs and serve.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 124
Total Fat 0.4 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Total Carbohydrates 31.9 g
Dietary Fiber 2.4 g
Total Sugars 26.5 g
Sodium 22.7 mg
Protein 1.3 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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