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Blue Raspberry Lemonade: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Blue Raspberry Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink that combines the tartness of fresh lemon juice with the sweet and fruity flavors of raspberries and blueberries. This homemade lemonade features a vibrant blue raspberry syrup made by simmering fresh berries with sugar, creating a naturally colorful and flavorful syrup. Perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness and a bright citrus punch, this drink is ideal for hot days, gatherings, or anytime you need a cool, revitalizing beverage.

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

  1. Combine Sugar and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add Berries: Add the raspberries and blueberries to the saucepan.
  3. Simmer and Mash: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once simmering, gently mash the berries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to release their juices and flavor.
  4. Continue Simmering: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup should thicken slightly. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
  5. Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Place a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (if available) over a heat-resistant bowl. Carefully pour the berry mixture through the sieve, pressing down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible.
  6. Add Optional Ingredients: If desired, stir in the blue food coloring gel, raspberry extract, and citric acid into the strained syrup.
  7. Cool and Store: Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container such as a glass jar or bottle. Store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The syrup will thicken further as it cools.
  8. Squeeze the Lemons: Squeeze the lemons to extract about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, removing any seeds.
  9. Make a Simple Syrup (Optional): Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it cool slightly before using.
  10. Combine Lemon Juice, Sugar (or Simple Syrup), and Water: In a large pitcher, mix the freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar (or cooled simple syrup), and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  11. Adjust to Taste: Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness and tartness as needed by adding more sugar, lemon juice, or water.
  12. Add More Water (If Needed): Add the remaining 1 cup of water, or more, to reach the desired consistency.
  13. Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the drink to become thoroughly chilled.
  14. Fill Glasses with Ice: Fill glasses with ice cubes.
  15. Add Blue Raspberry Syrup: Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of the blue raspberry syrup into each glass.
  16. Top with Lemonade: Fill the glasses with the chilled lemonade, leaving some room at the top.
  17. Stir Gently: Gently stir the lemonade and syrup together to combine the flavors.
  18. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with lemon slices and fresh raspberries and blueberries if desired.
  19. Serve Immediately: Serve the Blue Raspberry Lemonade immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • The blue food coloring gel is optional and used to enhance the vibrant blue color but doesn’t affect the flavor.
  • Raspberry extract and citric acid are optional to intensify flavor and add tartness, respectively.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar or simple syrup depending on your taste preference and lemon tartness.
  • The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, making it easy to prepare in advance.
  • Fresh or frozen berries can be used for the syrup; just thaw frozen berries before use.
  • If you want a less sweet lemonade, start with less sugar and adjust upwards after tasting.
  • For a sparkling version, replace some or all of the cold water with sparkling water just before serving.

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Find it online: https://quickpantrymeals.com/blue-raspberry-lemonade-the-ultimate-refreshing-summer-drink-recipe/