Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade

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Summertime and lemonade are the classic duo – and this Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade will make you wish it was summer all the time!  This easy recipe starts with homemade blueberry simple syrup, then the perfect ratio of lemon juice and water is added for a truly refreshing drink.  Make this adult-friendly by adding the spirit of your choice.

Single glass of blueberry lemonade

Homemade Blueberry Lemonade

As a food blogger, there always seems to be an abundance of leftover fruit in the house.  Depending on the recipe, lemons and blueberries tend to get purchased fresh because I want them as props to the photographs.  

Now you have a little behind the scenes intel on how the blog post pictures come together …

And naturally, there are always leftovers.  And I am not one to haphazardly throw away food.  This is where this recipe for Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade came from.  Determined to come up with the perfect recipe, I thought it was appropriate to make a beverage given the high temperatures right now!  

Not to mention, beverage recipes are pretty easy – a few ingredients, no oven needed, and they are still impressive if you need to arrive at your next bbq with a ‘dish’.  And I think it’s safe to say that you won’t have to worry about transporting leftovers back home.  🙂

Glass of refreshing blueberry lemonade

How To Make Homemade Blueberry Lemonade

I may get my food blogger/home baker card taken away from me for saying this – but I believe most recipes are just guides.  Unless there is a specific instruction or note on not deviating from the recipe, I believe you should have fun with it and make it your own!

That’s not to say I didn’t test this recipe at least 4 times … 

I do think there needs to be a good balance of blueberry flavor and lemon juice.  Given lemon juice can sometimes overwhelm any flavor it is paired with.  But with that ‘rule or recommendation’, there is nothing too complicated with this recipe.

You can impart the blueberry flavor into the lemonade a couple of ways:

  1. Puree the fresh blueberries with the sugar and lemon juice
  2. Make a classic simple syrup and add the blueberries to the simmering mix 

I suppose there is a third way – mashing up blueberries in already made lemonade – but that seems too easy.  So, I opted for #2 and making the blueberry simple syrup.  From there, making the Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade is pretty easy:

  1. Make the blueberry simple syrup (more on that below)
  2. Add the lemon juice
  3. Add the water
  4. Pour over ice
  5. Garnish with fresh blueberries and lemon slices
  6. Enjoy!

Homemade Blueberry Simple Syrup

I think once you make a blueberry flavored simple syrup,  you may want to try other sweet fruits!  A typical simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar.  I will tell you, this is not a typical simple syrup.  

For one – we are adding blueberries.  And two – those blueberries are already pretty sweet, so I opted to alter the typical sugar to water ratio.  With that, feel free to add as much or as little sugar as you like.  Remember, recipes are a guide and have fun making them your own.

To Make The Blueberry Simple Syrup

  1. Start with nearly 6x the amount of blueberries to sugar (adjust to your taste preference).  Blueberries are already pretty sweet, and in order to preserve their sweetness and flavor, I don’t think you need an excessive amount of sugar.  Plus, too much sugar can overpower the blueberry flavor. 
  2. Simmer the blueberries, sugar, and a bit of water in a small saucepan.  We want the blueberries to burst and release all of their yummy flavor and juices.  This takes about 5 minutes.  And you can help the process by smashing the blueberries with the back of a sauce spoon.
  3. Strain the blueberry syrup.  However, if you don’t mind pieces of blueberry, you can omit this step.  
  4. The syrup is ready to use!

And think of the uses:

  • Add to lemonade (obviously 🙂 )
  • Use as a coffee syrup – I have heard this combo is pretty good, but have yet to try it …
  • Pour over pancakes
  • Pour over scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • Better yet, blend it with scoops of vanilla ice cream for a milkshake!
  • Top your breakfast yogurt and/or granola
  • Use as a syrup to soak cake tops

This list could get pretty long, so I will stop there.  Point it, you can use it on anything you want a little sweet pizazz!

Glass and pitcher of blueberry lemonade

Tips For Making Blueberry Lemonade

I’ll leave you with a few notes on making homemade lemonade.  After that, whip up a batch and enjoy your summer!

  • This recipe is great for kids, but you can make it adult by adding your favorite liquor or sparkling wine.
  • Taste test as you go.  If the blueberry simple syrup isn’t sweet enough for you, add more sugar!  And if the lemonade flavor isn’t lemony enough, add more lemon juice!
  • Lemon juice – I made versions with fresh lemon juice and bottled lemon juice.  Either work great, but if you opt for fresh lemons, you may need 5-6 (depending on their size).
  • Lemon juice to blueberry syrup to water ratio – My measurements in the recipe are intended to make sure the blueberry flavor really comes through.  But again, have fun and adjust as you like.
  • Water vs. sparking water – You can use either or a combination of both.  I will say if using sparkling water, you may want to enjoy all of the lemonade that day, otherwise flat sparkling water can be a little less than appetizing.
  • The recipe can be halved, doubled, tripled, etc. – Make as little or as much as you want!

More Summer Drink Recipes

Tray of glasses of blueberry lemonade
Tray of glasses of blueberry lemonade
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5 from 4 reviews

Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade

Yield: 4 Servings
Summertime and lemonade are the classic duo – and this Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade will make you wish it was summer all the time!  This easy recipe starts with homemade blueberry simple syrup, then the perfect ratio of lemon juice and water is added for a truly refreshing drink.  Make this adult-friendly by adding the spirit of your choice.
Prep15 minutes
Total15 minutes

Equipment

  • 2 Quart Pitcher

Ingredients
 

  • 5-6 cups water (divided)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (more or less to taste)
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries (plus more to garnish )
  • 2/3 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

Instructions

  • Make the Blueberry Simple Syrup – In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water, sugar, and blueberries. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar melts and the blueberries start to break down – about 5-7 minutes. While cooking, smash the blueberries with the back of a sauce spoon to release all of the juices. Note – taste the blueberry syrup and adjust the sweetness to taste. Keeping in mind the blueberries are naturally sweet.
  • Over a small bowl, strain the blueberry syrup through a fine mesh strainer – pushing the blueberries through the strainer with the back of a sauce spoon. Set aside to cool.
  • Add the blueberry simple syrup, lemon juice, and 4 cups of water to your pitcher. Add more water to dilute the lemonade more if you prefer. Chill and serve over ice with extra blueberries and a slice of lemon. Note – you can also swap the water for sparkling water, or a half/half mix.
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RECIPE NOTES

  • Sweetness – Adjust the sugar to your taste.  I prefer a less-sweet lemonade and prefer more of the sweetness to come from the blueberries.  Please note – the more sugar you add may dilute the flavor of the blueberries.
  • Lemon – I used bottled lemon juice for this recipe.  You can also use the juice from fresh lemons.  Depending on the size of the lemons, you may need 5-6 lemons.
  • Water – Adjust the water to your taste.  I recommend starting with 4 cups of water to make the pitcher of lemonade, but you can add more to dilute the blueberry syrup.
  • Make it Bubbly – Swap the water for sparkling water.  Or use a half/half mix for a sparkling blueberry lemonade.
  • Servings – This recipe can be halved, doubled, or tripled.  
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Author: Erin Cernich
Nutrition information is calculated by a third-party and should only be considered an estimate and not a guarantee.
About the author photo.

about the author ...

I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!

I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch gluten free and traditional desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you!

comments & reviews

2 thoughts on “Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade”

  1. Hi Erin! Will the blueberry lemonade appear with the colored layers as in your photo, blue on bottom and yellow to clear near the top? Or did you do something different to get this look? I want to serve this in a punch bowl or clear pitchers at an engagement party in a few weeks. Just wondering…

    1. Hi Retta! Since the blueberry syrup is thicker than the lemonade, it will naturally go to the bottom unless you stir it. The clear on the top is a layer of ice cubes.

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