Blueberry Lemonade

There is nothing better than an ice cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. And while classic lemonade is great, there’s just something extra special about blueberry lemonade that takes it over the top. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, SO refreshing and the perfect way to cool off! We have been enjoying this drink at least once a week all summer long and have no plans of stopping any time soon.

Why you need to make this recipe

• You control the sweetness. Add in as much or as little of the homemade Blueberry Simple Syrup as you’d like to reach the level of sweetness you prefer for your blueberry lemonade!
• Quick and easy. Only about 5 minutes of hands-on time to create this delicious beverage!
• Versatile. Pour in some sparkling water for fun bubbly carbonation. Or add a shot of vodka for the perfect fruity cocktail.
• Minimal ingredients. Only blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice are needed to make both the lemonade and the blueberry simple syrup!

Ingredients needed

This homemade blueberry lemonade recipe has two easy-to-make parts, the Blueberry Simple Syrup and the lemonade! Once the two combine, you get the perfect combination of berry and lemon flavor!

To make the blueberry simple syrup you’ll need:

• Blueberries. Fresh or frozen blueberries will work. Be sure to buy some extras for garnish in the drinks.
• Water. Used to thin the syrup out.
• Sugar. White granulated sugar sweetens the syrup! Feel free to sub for an equal amount of: coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave. We have a whole post about making different kinds of simple syrup that you can check out HERE.

For the blueberry lemonade you’ll need:

• Water. Cold water is preferred since enjoying this drink chilled tastes best!
• Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed is best!
• Blueberry simple syrup. Put that sweet homemade simple syrup to use to give this lemonade its incredible blueberry flavor!

How to make this recipe

You won’t believe how quick and simple this recipe is to make whip up! Let’s take a quick look at the steps:

For the full, printable recipe, see the recipe card.

To make the syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and blueberries and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. 
2. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and gently mashing the berries a bit, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Cook for 5 additional minutes, mashing the blueberries with the back of a spatula. 
3. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the berries. Set aside to cool.

To make the lemonade:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and water. Stir until combined and add more water as needed.
2. Chill, serve, and ENJOY!

Variations to try

Make this recipe as written once and then go crazy! Here are some fun ideas to add a twist to this blueberry lemonade:

• Cocktails. To make an adult version of this blueberry lemonade, consider adding in 1/2 to 1 cup vodka, triple sec, or a light rum to the pitcher. Or just add a couple of ounces of alcohol to individual drinks.
• Mint flavor. Smash mint leaves on the bottom of the pitcher for a mint infused lemonade.
• More lemon flavor. Add some lemon zest to the simple syrup for a stronger lemon flavor.
• Carbonation. Add in a lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for an extra sweet kick and some carbonation. 

Frequently asked questions

How to store blueberry lemonade

Keep the pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Covered is best. If there’s any leftover blueberry simple syrup, you can store it in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to control the sweetness of the lemonade

You can easily make this as sweet as you’d like, just add in the simple syrup until it reaches your desired sweetness. To make the drink less sweet add a cup more of water to your pitcher when mixing.

How to get more juice out of the lemons

First, microwave the lemons for 20 seconds, then roll them between your palm and the counter for 10 seconds before cutting and juicing.

We also recommend a handheld citrus juicer that does a fast and effective job of getting all of the juice out of the lemons!

Can I freeze this drink?

Freezing this lemonade is a great idea, and you can even make it into popsicles!

As usual, please let me know if you end up making this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!