Frozen Limonana: Israeli slushy a summer delight

Limonana is a classic Israeli drink that combines freshly squeezed lemon juice and mint leaves for a unique Israeli-style lemonade treat that’s beloved throughout the country.

Limonana is a combination of the Hebrew and Arabic words “limon” and “nana,” which mean lemon and mint, respectively. While the drink may have originated elsewhere in the Middle East, it’s an Israeli advertising agency that provided the catchy portmanteau of a name in the 1990s. In an attempt to get public transit advertising off the ground in the Jewish state, the agency advertised the soft drink in sprawling ads across the sides of buses and reported that local athletes and celebrities couldn’t get enough of it.

Although the drink was advertised on buses only, the ad campaign was a huge success. Customers begged for the drink and stores pleaded to carry it until the ad agency admitted the truth: no such drink existed.

Undeterred, soft drink companies began to manufacture the flavor, and the drink that had existed only as a marketing ploy was now a reality. Restaurants and cafés then reimagined the drink in iced, slushed and alcoholic variations.

Now it’s peddled by vendors on nearly every street in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but Americans can make this simple, invigorating version at home. It’s delicious as is, but you can make it alcoholic for a fun, adult twist on the classic. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, substitute Arak, an anise-flavored spirit that’s popular in Israel, for the tequila and see where it takes you.

With or without alcohol, you’re going to want to make these icy, cooling, sweet and tart slushies all summer long.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from around 3 lemons

1/2 cup loosely packed mint

6 Tbsp. sugar

1 cup water

4 cups ice cubes

Directions:

1. Combine water, sugar and half of the mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute.

2. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes. Discard the mint leaves and refrigerate the syrup to let it cool.

3. Combine the mint simple syrup, the rest of the fresh mint leaves and the fresh lemon juice in a blender. Blend at high speed until well mixed.

4. Add the ice and blend until the ice is thoroughly crushed. Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Serves 2.