Description
This Blue Raspberry Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, combining tangy lemon juice with a homemade blue raspberry syrup for a vibrant and flavorful beverage. Perfectly balanced between tart and sweet, this lemonade offers a colorful twist to the classic summer staple, ideal for cooling down on hot days or impressing guests at gatherings.
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, for a more vibrant color)
- 1/4 teaspoon raspberry extract (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 1/8 teaspoon citric acid (optional, for a tart kick and preservation)
Lemonade
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6-8 lemons)
- 4-5 cups cold water (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste, depending on lemon tartness)
- 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 to begin making the syrup.
- Add Berries: Add the raspberries and blueberries to the saucepan with the sugar water.
- Simmer and Mash: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Gently mash the berries to release their juices for enhanced flavor.
- Continue Simmering: Lower the heat and let the syrup simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly but avoiding burning.
- Strain the Syrup: Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl, pressing solids to extract maximum syrup.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Stir in blue food coloring, raspberry extract, and citric acid if using, to boost color and flavor.
- Cool and Store Syrup: Let the syrup cool fully before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks; it thickens more as it cools.
- Squeeze the Lemons: Extract fresh lemon juice from 6-8 lemons, aiming for about 1 cup, removing any seeds.
- Make Simple Syrup (Optional): Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, heat until sugar dissolves, then cool slightly for use in lemonade.
- Combine Lemon Juice, Sugar, and Water: In a large pitcher, mix the fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar (or simple syrup), and 4 cups cold water. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste your lemonade and modify sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar, lemon juice, or water as preferred.
- Add More Water (If Needed): Add up to 1 more cup of cold water to achieve desired consistency.
- Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld and for it to become well chilled.
- Fill Glasses with Ice: Prepare serving glasses by filling them with ice cubes.
- Add Blue Raspberry Syrup: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the cool blue raspberry syrup into each glass.
- Top with Lemonade: Pour the chilled lemonade into the glasses over the syrup, leaving a bit of space at the top.
- Stir Gently: Carefully stir the syrup and lemonade together to blend flavors without losing fizz or diluting.
- Garnish (Optional): Add lemon slices and fresh raspberries or blueberries for a beautiful presentation.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your refreshing Blue Raspberry Lemonade immediately for best flavor and chill.
Notes
- The blue food coloring, raspberry extract, and citric acid are optional but enhance the color, aroma, and preserve the syrup.
- If fresh berries are not available, frozen berries work perfectly and provide the same flavor.
- Adjust sugar and water amounts according to your preferred lemonade sweetness and tartness balance.
- Homemade syrup can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and is excellent for other beverages as well.
- Use fresh lemons for best citrus flavor and avoid bottled lemon juice for this recipe.
- Ensure the syrup cools completely before mixing with lemonade to avoid diluting or altering flavors prematurely.
- For a sparkling version, substitute some or all cold water with sparkling water just before serving.
