Description
This Blue Raspberry Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink that combines the tartness of fresh lemon juice with a vibrant, fruity blue raspberry syrup. Made from fresh or frozen berries and freshly squeezed lemons, this homemade lemonade is sweetened to your liking and garnished with fresh fruit and ice for a perfectly chilled treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Blue Raspberry Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 teaspoon blue food coloring gel (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon raspberry extract (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon citric acid (optional)
Lemonade
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6-8 lemons)
- 4-5 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Fresh raspberries and blueberries, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine Sugar and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Add Berries: Add the raspberries and blueberries to the saucepan.
- Simmer and Mash: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Gently mash the berries to release juices.
- Continue Simmering: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until syrup thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Strain the Syrup: Remove from heat and strain the berry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing solids to extract syrup.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Stir in blue food coloring gel, raspberry extract, and citric acid if using, for enhanced color and flavor.
- Cool and Store: Let syrup cool fully, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Squeeze the Lemons: Extract about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, removing seeds.
- Make a Simple Syrup (Optional): Combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small pan, heat until dissolved, cool before using.
- Combine Lemon Juice, Sugar (or Simple Syrup), and Water: In a large pitcher, mix lemon juice, sugar or simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the lemonade and add more sugar or lemon juice or water as needed to balance sweetness and tartness.
- Add More Water (If Needed): Add remaining water or more to reach desired consistency.
- Chill: Refrigerate lemonade for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and chill fully.
- Fill Glasses with Ice: Prepare serving glasses by filling with ice cubes.
- Add Blue Raspberry Syrup: Pour 2-3 tablespoons of blue raspberry syrup into each glass.
- Top with Lemonade: Fill glasses with chilled lemonade, leaving room at the top.
- Stir Gently: Stir the syrup and lemonade gently to combine flavors.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish each glass with lemon slices and fresh raspberries and blueberries if desired.
- Serve Immediately: Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing blue raspberry lemonade.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen berries depending on availability; frozen works well and is convenient.
- Optional blue food coloring is for visual appeal but not necessary for flavor.
- Adjust sugar levels in the lemonade to suit your preferred sweetness, as lemon tartness varies.
- The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Citric acid helps preserve syrup and adds a pleasant tartness but is optional.
- The simple syrup step is optional; you can directly dissolve sugar in lemon juice and water if you prefer.
- For a stronger berry flavor, increase the amount of berries when making the syrup.
