This frozen mint lemonade is a refreshing summer drink that I had for the first time on vacation and later I had to recreate at home! While I had it for the first time in Central America, I later discovered that it is a Middle Eastern drink called Limonana, essentially a mint lemonade that can be served on ice or mixed with ice in a mud, as it was introduced to me.
It is easy to prepare, perfect for the hot climate and a great way to use garden mint, which is currently becoming crazy!
Inspired by a trip to … Panama?
For those who are familiar with this mint lemonade as a popular drink in the Middle East, you could be surprised to know that I had it for the first time during a trip to Panama. In a local restaurant, I saw someone order a “lemonade”, just to be presented with a green slucin drink.
Curious, I ordered one. I tasted it and immediately realized that it was not a normal lemonade! It was strongly mint, as well as sweet and lemon. The consistency of the Slusie was refreshing on a very hot day (I was traveling with my cousins in a sports fishing trip) and when I made a version at home for Judy, he told me I had to blog and share it with our readers!
Types of mint
The addition of lemonade mint is a really beautiful variation compared to the usual lemonade, but the flavor can vary depending on the type of mint you use.
There are over 30 varieties of mint used in the kitchen, hundreds of hundreds if all the different cultivars and hybrids count. One of the most common types (what you might find sold simply as “mint” in American food stores) in the United States is lancia mint. Judy and I prefer it in this recipe and it’s easy to find!
We also have Apple’s mint that grows throughout the property (another problem for another time: do not let Mint escape a container, because it is very invasive) that Sarah and Kaitlin prefer.
It concerns personal choice. Any kind of fresh mint you like or have available should work here! Just note that some ticks have a stronger chin flavor (like peppermint), which can be a little strong.
Mint is incredibly easy to grow (in reality it is difficult to kill the plant), so if you have a balcony or a sunny windowsill, try to grow it in a pot so you can do this drink throughout the summer. Keep it in that pot and don’t let him out in your garden!
Honey against sugar as sweetener
This recipe uses honey above the usual brown sugar. I like it for its health and antioxidant properties, as well as its most complex natural flavor. We used our organic honey from our farm.
Having said that, if you don’t have honey, you can replace agave nectar or simple syrup, which is simply a mixture of equal parts of sugar and brown water, heated until the sugar dissolves.
You can also adjust the quantity according to your tastes! Judy likes very little sugar/honey, while I like my a little sweeter.
Instructions for recipes of lemonade mint
Load all the ingredients in a powerful blender: the mint (put a little aside on the side side dish), lemon juice, water, ice, honey and salt.
Blend until combined.
Blend at a slower speed for an ICIER consistency and faster for a smoother consistency.
A variation is simply mixing all the ingredients in a jug. You can simply cut or crush the mint leaves, so you have a more conventional lemonade.
Serve!
Tip!
Transform this drink into a cocktail adding 4 ounces of vodka, tequila or liqueur of your choice.
Try these other summer refreshments too!
Mint Lemonade (Limonana)
This mint lemonade, known as Limonana in the Middle East, is a refreshing summer drink that you can turn into an iced drink or a mud!
Serves: 2
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Instructions
Load all the ingredients in a powerful blender: the mint (put a little aside on the side side dish), lemon juice, water, ice, honey and salt. Blend until combined. Blend at a slower speed for an ICIER consistency and faster for a smoother consistency.
A variation is simply mixing all the ingredients in a jug. You can simply cut or crush the mint leaves, so you have a more conventional lemonade.
Nutritional facts
Calories: 146Kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 40G (13%) Protein: 1G (2%) Fat: 0.2G Saturated fat: 0.04G Polynsaturo fat: 0.04G Monolysatuine fat: 0.01G Sodium: 38mg (2%) Potassium: 117mg (3%) Fiber: 1G (4%) Sugar: 36G (40%) Vitamin A: 243Iu (5%) Vitamin C: 26mg (32%) Soccer: 29mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
