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Home » Drinks

Lemon Mint Juice (Lebanese Lemonana)

Published: May 30, 2024 · Modified: Mar 18, 2024 by Janelle Hama *This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure

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A cold, thirst-quenching, refreshing lemon mint juice called Lemonana. Freshly juiced whole lemons, lime with fresh mint leaves and ice that has been naturally sweetened. You’re new favorite homemade mint lemonade.

two tall glasses on wooden coasters with yellow juice and mint on top

What is Lemonana?

Lemonana is a popular homemade lemonade with fresh mint that hails from the Middle East, it’s refreshingly cold and thirst-quenching, perfect for warmer weather, this version is a Lebanese recipe.

In Arabic, it is referred to as “lay·moon wa nah·nah” which translates to English as "lemon and mint", hence why it is called lemonana.

It is also referred to as mint lemonade or lemon mint juice.

Ingredients You’ll Need

a lemon, lime, maple syrup, orange blossom water, ice and mint on a white bench

The complete list of ingredients with measurements, can be found in the full recipe card below.

Fresh whole lemons and limes, preferably organic. If you are using conventional lemons, be sure to wash them well. The skin is left on as we want the natural oils in this drink, it also adds a lovely mild bitterness.

Fresh mint leaves are so refreshing, adding coolness to this beverage, feel free to add more or less to suit your liking.

Maple syrup is my preferred natural sweetener, however, you can use whatever you like. Usually, Lebanese lemonana is made with either white or castor sugar or simple syrup, but I avoid refined sugar when possible.

Orange blossom water is such a fragrant ingredient, it is exactly as the name suggests, water from orange blossoms. A little of this goes a long way. I love using this cortas brand . While I recommend using this ingredient, it can be left out if you must leave it out.

How To Make Lemon Mint Juice

Blend The Ingredients

Roughly chop the lemons and limes into pieces that are easy for the high-powered blender to handle.

Take the mint leaves off the stem.

Now, add all the ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until everything is pureed. You can also add ice in this step, I alternate with and without ice.

a white plate with chopped lemon, lime and mint leaves
chopped lemon, lime, mint leaves and water in a blender jug

Strain and Serve

Pour the blended juice into a sieve or nut cloth (I prefer a nut cloth as it catches the pulp better) and strain out all the lemon mint juice, leaving behind the pulp, which is to be discarded.

Serve over ice and garnish if you desire, I like using additional mint leaves and some lemon peel. 

blended green juice in a blender jug
a strainer over a jug with yellow juice and bits of yellow lemon through it

Pro Tips 

All the ingredients can be adjusted to suit your taste. 

Make this ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. When you are ready to serve, give the lemonana a thorough stir and pour over ice.

Make this into slushy by adding less water and plenty of ice to the blender.

yellow juice with ice and bits of green flecks in a glass topped with mint leaves

FAQ

Can I make lemon mint juice without whole lemons?

Yes, freshly squeezed lemon juice can be used instead of whole lemons. The same goes with adding limes. Additionally, the lemons and limes can be zested prior to squeezing which can be added to the juice also.

Do I need a blender to make lemonana?

Traditionally lemonana is made in a bowl. Whole lemons and limes are chopped up and then sugar is added. They are then macerated by hand, left to soak for at least 30 minutes. Which is then strained into a jug, finely chopped fresh mint leaves, orange blossom water and water are then added and stirred. 

2 tall glasses and a jug of yellow juice

More Drink Recipes

Other homemade lemonades to try are my sparkling pink rose lemonade or my orangeade with maple syrup.

Or try my refreshing pineapple slush, this is an icey one!

Have you ever considered a lemon ginger turmeric shot? Sounds good right!?

You might also be interested in watermelon cucumber agua fresca or this sweet and sour mix to make mocktails, or try this strawberry acai refresher.

Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.

Recipe

two tall glasses on wooden coasters with yellow juice and mint on top

Lemon Mint Juice (Lebanese Lemonana)

A cold, thirst-quenching, refreshing lemon mint juice called Lemonana. Freshly juiced whole lemons, lime with fresh mint leaves and ice that has been naturally sweetened. You’re new favorite homemade mint lemonade, a Lebanese version.
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Saved Recipe
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Janelle Hama

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Lemons roughly chopped with skin
  • 1 medium Lime roughly chopped with skin
  • ¼ cup Mint leaves
  • ½ cup Maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Blossom Water optional
  • 3-4 cups Cold water
  • Ice
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Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients into a blender (ice optional) and blend on high until all ingredients are blended. Taste test, adjust water and sweetener to suit.
  • Strain through a sieve or nut cloth to extract all the juice. Discard the leftover pulp. Serve with ice.

Video


Notes

Serving is for 4-6 people - depending on the amount of water and ice used.
Adjust any of the ingredients to suit your taste.
If you can't get orange blossom water leave it out, or swap it with rose water.
You can also make lemonana with lemons only.
Store lemon mint juice in the fridge for up to 3-5 days, give it a good stir prior to serving and pour over ice.
To make this into a slushy add a little less water and plenty of ice to the high-powered blender.
You may also like this basil lemonade
 
This recipe article was originally released in April 2022 and has since been updated.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg

N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.


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    5 from 46 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Lilian

    September 30, 2023 at 4:16 am

    5 stars
    Hey Janelle- I like how this lemonana recipe uses lemons and lime because they both add a slightly different flavor. What is an appropriate substitute to replace the 1/2 cup maple syrup with white castor sugar? Sorry for another question- if I go the hand-macerating route, what's the best way to do it?

    Reply
    • Janelle Hama

      October 03, 2023 at 9:35 am

      Hey Lilian,

      This is up to taste, as I don't use white castor sugar in my diet, build your way up to a sweetness that you like. For making this beverage by hand, zest the citrus first, then use a citrus squeezer. This way you have both zest and juice in the drink.

      Reply
  2. Brigette

    July 31, 2023 at 5:26 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today and I am pleased with the results, it's easy to adjust the amounts and play around with the taste.

    Reply
  3. Mindi

    September 18, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    A few days ago I visited my friend at her home who is Lebanese, she made this drink and I am hooked. I am so glad I found this recipe, I've pinned it so I can make it when I like. Refreshing!

    Reply
  4. Al

    August 17, 2022 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    Super excited to have received this one in email. I like how thick the juice can be when it’s not watered down. I made a big jug which is now sitting in the fridge to be sipped over the next few days. Thanks Janelle, ps the name lemonana is clever

    Reply

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