Description
This Berry Lemonade recipe is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, combining a vibrant berry syrup with zesty freshly squeezed lemon juice and chilled water. Perfect for hot days, it features a sweet, tangy flavor layered with fresh berries and garnished with lemon slices and mint for an inviting presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Berry Syrup
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries), fresh or frozen
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Lemonade Base
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
- 6 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
For Serving
- Fresh berries
- Lemon slices
- Mint sprigs
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the berry mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the mixed berries, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer the berries: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the berries break down.
- Mash the berries: Use a potato masher or spoon to gently mash the softened berries, releasing more juice and flavor.
- Strain the syrup: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a heat-proof bowl and pour the berry mixture through it. Press down on the solids to extract as much syrup as possible, then discard the solids.
- Add lemon juice to syrup: Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the berry syrup to enhance its brightness.
- Cool the syrup: Allow the berry syrup to cool completely; you can refrigerate it to speed up the process.
- Juice the lemons: Squeeze fresh lemons to yield 1 cup of lemon juice, removing any seeds to ensure smoothness.
- Make simple syrup (optional): In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup cold water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it cool before using.
- Mix the lemonade base: In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, remaining 5 1/2 cups cold water, and either 1/2 cup sugar or the cooled simple syrup prepared earlier. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
- Chill the lemonade: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare glasses: Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
- Add berry syrup: Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of berry syrup into each glass; adjust quantity to your preference.
- Combine lemonade and syrup: Slowly pour the lemonade over the berry syrup and ice in each glass.
- Mingle flavors: Gently stir the mixture in the glass to combine the berry syrup and lemonade thoroughly.
- Garnish: Add fresh berries, lemon slices, and mint sprigs to each glass for an appealing presentation.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Berry Lemonade!
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen berries depending on season and availability; frozen berries work well if fresh aren’t accessible.
- You can adjust sugar quantities to taste, especially if using sweeter berries or lemons.
- Preparing the simple syrup is optional but helps dissolve sugar faster in the lemonade base.
- For a fizzy twist, replace half of the cold water with sparkling water just before serving.
- Store leftover lemonade and syrup in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.
