Perfect Blueberry Lemonade
This delicious blueberry lemonade is the perfect cooling drink!
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup sugar you can use more if you want, but just remember, it will sweeten as it thickens
- ⅓ cup water
Lemonade
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Lemonade
- Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan and heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Next, add in the fresh lemon juice and about 1 quart of water.
- Test for flavor and add more water as needed.
Blueberry Reduction
- Add blueberries, water, and sugar to a saucepan. Turn on medium heat and mix to combine.
- Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. The blueberries should be softened and the sugar dissolved.
- You can either strain out the chunks or run them through a blender as I did. There are still small chunks left in, but not big ones.
- Again, turn back on the heat to medium and continue to cook. You will want to stir occasionally as the sauce thickens. Mine took about 7 minutes to get to the thickness I was looking for. This will depend on the thickness of your pan, heat, and amount of liquid. I like mine to get about the thickness of maple syrup.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- You can use it immediately, or store it for later. As long as it is stored in an airtight container, it is good for at least 3-4 days.
- When you are ready to use it, pour the lemonade first. Next, add a few tablespoons of the blueberry reduction. Mix and test for flavor. I used about 3 tablespoons in mine, but it will be a personal preference.
Notes
- Swap out the blueberries in this recipe for raspberries or blackberries. You can also use strawberries to make strawberry lemonade.
- To get the most juice out of your lemons, use a lemon juicer. It's easier and more efficient than squeezing with hands alone.
- To avoid watery-tasting lemonade, make a double batch of the plain lemonade and freeze it into cubes. Instead of adding ice, add your frozen lemonade pieces that will still taste delicious when melted.
- If you like an extra sweet lemonade and don't want to add extra sugar, try using a natural sweetener such as maple syrup or honey stirred into your glass.
- You can use limes instead of lemons to make a tangy and sweet limeade. Swap the blueberries for cherries for an easy cherry limeade.