A cold, thirst-quenching, refreshing lemon mint juice from Lebanon called Lemonana. Freshly juiced whole lemons, lime with fresh mint leaves and ice that has been naturally sweetened. You’re new favorite homemade lemonade.
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🍋What is Lemonana?
Lemonana is a popular home made lemonade with fresh mint that hails from the Middle East.
This is a Lebanese lemonana recipe.
In Arabic is it referred to as “lay·moon wa nah·nah” which translates to English as lemon and mint.
Some also call it lemonada or limonana.
It is also referred to as mint lemonade or lemon mint juice.
😋Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s refreshingly cold and thirst quenching, perfect for warmer weather, think bbq's - try it with my tofu skewers.
- All natural, no refined sugars.
- Ready in minutes and can be made ahead.
- Can be turned into a slushy.
- A great way to keep hydrated with added fiber.
✔️Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Fresh whole lemons, preferably organic as the entire lemons are used. 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. The lemons will need to be roughly chopped.
Fresh whole lime, adds to the flavor profile of this lemonana. The limes will need to be roughly chopped with skin on. You can replace the lime with another lemon.
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.
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 (affiliate link). Whilst I recommend using this ingredient, it can be left out if you must leave it out.
🍋How To Make Lemon Mint Juice
Blend ingredients. Add all the ingredients into a high powered blender. Blend until everything is pureed. You can also add ice in this step.
Strain. Pour the blended juice into a sieve or nut cloth (affiliate link) and strain out all the juice, leaving behind the pulp, which is to be discarded. Serve over ice.
Why not make your lemon mint juice more special by ordering inexpensive and fun juice labels or stickers? Personalize your glasses with these labels and stickers and share the juice with friends and family at a party. The die cut stickers will add extra flair to your treats, making your guests happy with such a thoughtful gesture.
⭐ 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. You will need a blender that has the ability to crush ice, I love my Ninja (affiliate link) for this.
❓FAQ
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.
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.
🥤Related Recipes
Other homemade lemonades to try are my sparkling pink rose lemonade or my sparkling basil lemonade.
If you like all natural cold drinks, check out my blueberry milk and strawberry milk which are made with my homemade hemp seed milk.
Or try my refreshing pineapple slushie.
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 ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Refreshing Lemon Mint Juice (Lebanese Lemonana)
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
- 3-4 cups Cold water
- Ice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender (ice optional) and blend on high until all ingredients are blended. Taste test, adjust water and sweetener to suit.2 medium Lemons, 1 medium Lime, ¼ cup Mint leaves, ½ cup Maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Orange Blossom Water, 3-4 cups Cold water
- Strain through a sieve or nut cloth to extract all the juice. Serve with ice.Ice
Notes
Nutrition
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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Lilian
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?
Janelle Hama
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.
Brigette
I made this today and I am pleased with the results, it's easy to adjust the amounts and play around with the taste.
Mindi
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!
Al
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