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Limonana

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This redirect is about the drink popular in Israel. For other uses, see Mint lemonade.
Limonana
Limonana served in Damascus, Syria
TypeLemonade or mixer
IngredientsMint, lemon juice, sugar, seltzer, or water, ice, occasionally lemon verbena, sometimes mixed with arak[1], gin, bourbon, and other liquors

Limonana (Template:Lang-ar; Template:Lang-he) is a type of lemonade made from freshly-squeezed lemon juice and spearmint leaves that forms a popular summer drink in Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria.[citation needed]

Etymology

Limonana is a portmanteau of the words limon Template:Lang-he, meaning lemon) and nana Template:Lang-he, which literally translates to mint.[2]

History

Limonana may have originated in Syria or Turkey.[3] In Israel, the name came from an advertising campaign conducted in the early 1990s. 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. Fogel Levin advertised a soft drink called Limonana and printed its ads through the Galgalei Zahav (Wheels of Gold) company.[4] The ads, describing the drink as a blend of lemon and mint, reported, "Rabinowitz drinks Limonana" and, "Ohana drinks Limonana",[5] referring to celebrities of the time. The ad campaign created a buzz[4] 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.[6][7] Spurred by customer demand, first restaurants and then soft drink manufacturers began to produce the flavor combination.[7]

Preparation

Limonana can be prepared as a lemonade, a smoothie,[8] and a slush.[9] It has also been incorporated into sorbet[10] and yogurt.[11]

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.[12][13][14] James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov offers a version of limonana mixed with Jim Beam at his restaurant.[15] An Israeli restaurant in Los Angeles serves limonana mixed with gin.[16]

Popularity in Israel

Limonana served in Jerusalem

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]

Availability in the United States

It is on the menu at Aroma Espresso Bars in New York, Florida, and Canada.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Buzelan, Shira. "Arak-spiked 'limonana' with tapas for Independence Day". The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Limonana: Summer Drinks". Hadassah Magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Mint Lemonade". ifood.tv. 2009.
  4. ^ a b 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Siegal, Lilach (29 May 2001). לימונענע וירטואלית [Virtual Limonana]. The Marker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Martinelli, Katherine (11 July 2011). "Limonana: Sparkling Summer". Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Ice Limonana – Mint lemonade, the drink of the Israeli summer". Cafe Liz. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  9. ^ "The Frozen Seat". Da'at Travel. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  10. ^ Moskowitz, Laurie (11 January 2011). "The New Basics". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Tourist Tip #16 / Arak". Ha’aretz. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Tourist Tip #34 / Alcoholic Drinks". Ha’aretz. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  14. ^ Buzelan, Shira. "Arak-spiked 'limonana' with tapas for Independence Day". The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Zahav defines Israeli cuisine in America". Eater. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  16. ^ Medovoy, George. "Savoring Israeli flavors at Jaffa.LA". The Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  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.
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