WHAT IS LIMONARAK?

Limonarak (לימונארק) is an epic fusion of these two Middle Eastern favorites: limonana and arak. Limonana, the beloved Israeli beverage, combines freshly squeezed lemon juice, mint leaves, sugar, and water for a refreshing treat. Arak, a traditional alcoholic drink, adds its distinct anise flavor and potency to the mix. Combining these elements creates a unique and flavorful cocktail that's perfect for any occasion.

  • Limonana

    Limonana (לימונענע) is a popular drink in the Middle East and the national drink of Israel! The name "limonana" combines "limon" meaning lemon and "nana" meaning mint, reflecting its key ingredients. It's essentially a mint limonade!

  • Arak

    Arak (ארק) is a traditional Middle Eastern alcoholic beverage that's particularly popular in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel. It's an anise-flavored spirit that is often compared to Greek ouzo or French pastis. It has a strong, distinctive flavor and is known for its potency.

Recipe for Limonarak

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cold water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup lemon juice (fresh-squeezed is ideal)
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon slices for garnish
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Arak

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool to make a simple syrup.
  2. While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons until you have about 1 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  3. In a pitcher, combine the fresh-squeezed lemon juice with the simple syrup.
  4. Stir in the remaining 5 cups of cold water until well combined.
  5. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice if desired
  6. Generously add fresh mint leaves
  7. Combine your mint lemonade (limonana) with desired amount of arak
  8. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint if desired.
  9. Enjoy your refreshing homemade lemonarak!