Description
This refreshing Blueberry Lemonade combines the tartness of fresh lemon juice with the natural sweetness and vibrant color of blueberries. Perfect for hot summer days, this homemade beverage is easy to prepare and can be served classic, sparkling, or as a frozen slushie. The infusion of blueberry syrup adds a delightful fruity twist to the traditional lemonade, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Blueberry Syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Lemonade
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup ice (plus more for serving)
- Lemon slices and extra blueberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Blueberry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing to extract the juice. Discard the solids and let the blueberry syrup cool.
- Prepare the Lemonade Base: In a large pitcher, stir together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and 4 cups cold water until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Combine Syrup and Lemonade: Add the cooled blueberry syrup to the lemonade base and mix well to incorporate the flavors evenly.
- Add Ice and Garnish: Add 1 cup of ice to the pitcher and stir again. Serve the blueberry lemonade over ice in glasses and garnish with lemon slices and fresh blueberries if desired.
Notes
- For a sparkling blueberry lemonade, replace 2 cups of the cold water with sparkling water just before serving.
- To make a frozen slushie version, blend the mixture with ice until slushy.
