{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 large lemons","name":"Lemon","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"large","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup fresh mint leaves","name":"Mint","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"fresh leaves","notes":"packed","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cups cold water","name":"Cold Water","quantity":750,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"cold","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 cups ice cubes","name":"Ice cubes","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"cubes","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Squeeze the 4 lemons to obtain fresh juice, ensuring no seeds are included.","group":"Preparation","title":"Squeeze the 4 lemons","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a blender, combine the lemon juice, 1 cup of fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 cup of the cold water.","group":"Blending","title":"Combine the lemon juice, 1 cup of fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup sugar","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Blending"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Blend on high speed until the mint is finely chopped and the mixture is well combined.","group":"Blending","title":"Blend on high speed","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Blending"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the remaining 2 cups of cold water and the 2 cups of ice cubes to the blender. Pulse a few times until the ice is crushed and the drink reaches a slushy consistency.","group":"Finishing","title":"Add the remaining 2 cups of cold water and the 2 cups of ice cubes","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Pour into glasses and garnish with an extra sprig of mint or a lemon slice. Serve immediately while cold.","group":"Serving","title":"Pour into glasses and garnish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For the best flavor, use fresh-squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar depending on the tartness of your lemons.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["Blender","Citrus Juicer"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1.2,"unit":"l","note":"Makes about 4 large glasses"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can juice the lemons and wash the mint ahead of time, but the drink should be blended just before serving to maintain the icy texture and vibrant green color."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store any leftovers in a sealed pitcher in the fridge. Note that the ice will melt and the mint may darken over time.","reheatingNotes":"Give it a quick stir or shake before serving again."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:20:06.394Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:20:06.394Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7},{"id":"baklava_cd6929b9e5","slug":"classic-baklava","title":"Classic Baklava","description":"A rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with spiced chopped nuts and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":50,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek","Turkish"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaklava_cd6929b9e5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2691ad31-0650-427b-84dc-646581067a41","imageAlt":"Classic Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["sweet","pastry","honey","nuts","middle eastern","mediterranean","flaky"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":8}]}