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This redirect is about the drink popular in Israel. For other uses, see Mint lemonade.
Limonana
Limonana in Jerusalem, Israel
TypeLemonade or mixer
Country of origin  Israel[1][2]
IngredientsMint, lemon juice, sugar, seltzer, or water, ice, occasionally lemon verbena, sometimes mixed with arak[3], gin, bourbon, and other liquors
Related productsGazoz

Limonana (Template:Lang-he) is a popular Israeli[4] beverage generally consisting of water, lemon juice, mint leaves, and sugar, that is commonly used as a mixer in various cocktails[5][6], similar to a lemonade, and has been said to be the "national beverage" of Israel.[7]

Etymology

Limonana is a portmanteau of the words limon Template:Lang-he, meaning lemon) and nana Template:Lang-he, which literally translates to mint[8], but is also a popular name for mint tea.[9]

History

"They [Fogel Levin] managed to generate huge buzz before revealing that it was a fictitious brand, the combination of lemon and mint, makes such sense that one wonders how come nobody had thought about it before."

— Janna Gur, Israeli chef, author and food historian[10]

Limonana was invented sometime during the early 1990s in Israel. It's invention was inspired by a popular advertising campaign conducted at the time.[11][12] At that time, public-bus advertising was in its infancy in Israel. The Fogel Levin advertising agency undertook a bus-only campaign to prove the effectiveness of this new medium. They advertised a fictional soft drink called Limonana and printed its ads through the Galgalei Zahav (Wheels of Gold) company.[13] The ads, describing the drink as a blend of lemon and mint, reported, "Rabinowitz drinks Limonana" and, "Ohana drinks Limonana",[14] referring to celebrities of the time. Such a drink combining lemon and mint did not exist at that time, and was perceived by some to be a strange combination. The ad campaign created a buzz and consumers flocked to stores and kiosks to try the new flavor. Two weeks into the campaign, with consumers and stores clamoring for the product, the advertising agency admitted that no such drink existed.[15][16] Spurred by customer demand, first restaurants and then soft drink manufacturers began to produce the flavor combination.[16]

Overview

"As soon as the weather heats up, limonanas are everywhere. In the shuks (open air markets) it’s available in large containers for a mere two shekels (about 50 cents) per rejuvenating cup. Every cafe and restaurant offers it, and it’s available in bottle form alongside apple and orange juice. You’d be hard-pressed to find lemonade without mint in Israel. Another popular way to enjoy a limonana is as a blended beverage. Bright green and frothy, the mint lemonade is blended with ice to create a thick, brain freeze-inducing smoothie. Cold and super sweet, they provide just the sugar rush needed to beat the heat."

— Katherine Martinelli, The Forward[16]

Limonana has been said to be ubiquitous in Israel, especially as a refreshing drink in the summertime.[17] It can be found virtually everywhere in the country, sold from pushcarts, juice bars, shuks, bars, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores across Israel. It can come in bottled form, but is often made at home as well. The ingredients of limonana vary depending on purveyor, but it generally contains fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, and sugar. There are many variations of limonana in Israel. The most-popular variety is a frozen blended beverage similar to a slushie and featured, mint, lemon juice, sugar, water, and crushed ice. It is often found in without ice added and instead with just water. Sometimes seltzer, also known as "Jewish champagne"[18], is added in place of flat water. Some add Sprite to their limonana. Lemon verbena leaves are sometimes added as well, adding a floral flavor to the beverage.[19][20]

Use as a mixer

Limonana is a popular mixer in Israel, and alcoholic variants of the drink are also popular in bars across the country and particularly in Tel Aviv, usually containing arak or tequila.[21][22][23] James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov offers a version of limonana mixed with Jim Beam at his restaurant.[24] An Israeli restaurant in Los Angeles serves limonana mixed with gin.[25]

Availability outside Israel

It is on the menu at Aroma Espresso Bars in New York, Florida, and Canada.[16]

Limonana can be prepared as a lemonade, a smoothie,[26] and a slush.[27] It has also been incorporated into sorbet[28] and yogurt.[29]

Popularity

Association with Yom Ha'atzmaut

Limonana is commonly associated with Yom Ha'atzmaut, or "Israeli Independence Day"[30][31], as this is a holiday which is typically accompanied by festive celebrations and parties, which often include drinking, dancing, grilling various meats. As Yom Ha’atzmaut falls in the beginning of summer, limonana is often served at mangals, an Israeli barbecue party similar to the American tradition of grilling of The 4th of July.[32]. It often contains alcohol and has been used as a mixer with liquor such as tequila to make a cocktail. Limonana is also often served at events, parties, and festivals[33] that celebrate Israeli Independence Day in the Jewish diaspora as well, particularly in the United States; where many Jewish centers hold events featuring limonana in both plain or frozen, as well as alcoholic or non-alcoholic forms.[34][35]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  2. ^ Solomonov and Cook, Michael and Steven. Israeli Soul.
  3. ^ Buzelan, Shira. "Arak-spiked 'limonana' with tapas for Independence Day". The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  5. ^ Solomonov, Michael. Zahav.
  6. ^ "Let's Limonana". Patron. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Limonana: Frozen Mint Lemonade". Tori Avey. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Limonana: Summer Drinks". Hadassah Magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  12. ^ Shuk.
  13. ^ הפלאפל ברדיו עובד,הפרסום פחות [The Falafel on Radio Works, The Advertising Less So] (in Hebrew). tapuz.co.il. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  14. ^ Sharon-Rivlin, Vered (14 October 1997). מה בולט ושורץ בגוש דן [What is Prominent and Swarming in Gush Dan?]. Globes (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  15. ^ Siegal, Lilach (29 May 2001). לימונענע וירטואלית [Virtual Limonana]. The Marker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d Martinelli, Katherine (11 July 2011). "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  17. ^ Rothfeld, Silverton, Steven, Nancy. Israel Eats.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Solomonov, Mike. Israeli Soul. HMH.
  19. ^ "Limonana: The Israeli Beverage of Summer". Touchpoint Israel. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  20. ^ "When Life Gives You Lemons Make Limonana". From The Grapevine. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Tourist Tip #16 / Arak". Ha’aretz. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Tourist Tip #34 / Alcoholic Drinks". Ha’aretz. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  23. ^ Buzelan, Shira. "Arak-spiked 'limonana' with tapas for Independence Day". The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Zahav defines Israeli cuisine in America". Eater. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  25. ^ Medovoy, George. "Savoring Israeli flavors at Jaffa.LA". The Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Ice Limonana – Mint lemonade, the drink of the Israeli summer". Cafe Liz. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  27. ^ "The Frozen Seat". Da'at Travel. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  28. ^ Moskowitz, Laurie (11 January 2011). "The New Basics". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  29. ^ טרה משיקה משקאות יוגורט פרי עם תוספים בריאותיים [Tara Produces Fruit Yogurt Drinks With Healthy Additives] (in Hebrew). Ynet. 18 June 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  30. ^ Ohriner, Shoshana. "THE FLAVORS OF LIMONANA FOR YOM HAATZMAUT". Jamie Geller. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  31. ^ Abusch-Magder, Rabbi Ruth. "Top 10 Israeli Foods to Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut". The Forward. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  32. ^ "The Independence Day Barbecue, More Than an American Tradition". The Forward. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  33. ^ "Celebrate Israel, Cleveland-style!" (PDF). Cleveland Jewish Federation. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  34. ^ "Yom Ha'Atzmaut – Israel Independence Day celebration coming May 9". Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  35. ^ Beth El, Temple. ""White Hot" Shabbat Celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut and Israel's 70th Anniversary". Beth El Early Learning Center Boca Raton. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
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