On a hot, sweltering summer day, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cold glass of lemonade. But if you’re looking to level up your usual lemon-sugar-water combo, allow us to introduce you to limonana, a refreshing Middle Eastern drink that combines lemon juice, fresh mint and milk (or water) into a citrusy, fresh and ultra-cooling elixir.
Limonana, which is also known as Egyptian lemonade, is popular in Egypt and across the Middle East. It's sweet, creamy, a little tart and packed with minty freshness. The best part? You can make it in minutes with a few simple ingredients.
Related: The Middle Eastern Way to Make Coffee 10x Better
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Alia & Radwa Elkaffas (@fooddolls)
Limonana (pronounced lee-mo-nah-nah) is a blended mint lemonade or limeade that originated in the Middle East. It gets its name from a mix of Arabic ("limon" for lemon) and Hebrew ("nana" for mint). The core ingredients are lemon or lime juice, sugar, water or milk, plus ice and fresh mint. Instead of just stirring everything together in a pitcher, the ingredients are blended into a consistency that's either frothy or slushy (more on this later).
Limonana became popular in Egypt and Israel during the 1990s, thanks in part to a clever ad campaign that promoted a fictional drink...until the extremely high demand made it real. The Hebrew word for lemonade is “limonada,” and by swapping the “nada” ending with the similar-sounding “nana” (which again, means mint), the ad agency tasked with selling the drink came up with a clever and memorable name.
Today, limonana is a summer staple across the region, with slight variations in every country. Some use simple syrup, while others macerate the citrus, and some swap lemons for limes. But the key elements in the equation (citrus + mint + ice) stay as they are.
Related: The Middle Eastern Way to Make Quesadillas 10x Better
?? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter. ??
Why You’ll Love Limonana
It's cooler than classic lemonade, thanks to the addition of fresh mint.It's naturally vibrant and visually striking.It's quick to make in a blender with just a handful of ingredients.Limonana is really simple to make and there are many variations on the recipe. We referenced two great recipes from bloggers, The Food Dolls and Ruhamasfood. Grab a high-speed blender, lemons (or limes), whole milk, granulated white sugar, water and fresh mint leaves. The traditional Egyptian version contains milk, but recipes in other regions just use water. Here’s a simple Egyptian recipe to try that serves four people:
On a high setting, blend sliced lemons, whole milk, water, sugar and fresh mint leaves (stems removed). If you want to make it a more slushy-like consistency, add ice. Make sure that the mix is fully pulverized. For a smoother drink, strain the drink through a fine mesh sieve to catch any pulp. Pour in a glass full of ice. Serve cold.
Related: The Brazilian Way to Make Lemonade 10x Better
Fun Twists to Make Limonana Your Own
What’s great about this drink, aside from its simplicity, is how versatile it is. Here are just some ways to give limonana your own personal touch.
Make it fizzy: Add sparkling water for a bubbly version.Go floral: A splash of rose water or orange blossom water adds a fun, floral flavor.Use coconut milk for a dairy-free twist.Skip the sugar: Try honey, maple syrup or a sugar substitute.Make it boozy: Vodka, gin or bourbon pair well for a cocktail version.Related: I Tried the Viral 'Boujee Lemonade’ and It’s Like Sipping Sunshine
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Egyptian Way to Make Lemonade 10x Better )
Also on site :
- Opinion: Tolerance of diversity is central to San Diego’s economic growth
- De Anza College physical education complex to undergo $53 million renovation
- Rodeo man charged with kidnapping in East Bay home invasions