This Blueberry-Mint Lemonade is a refreshing and easy recipe, which is made with fresh blueberries and a homemade mint syrup. It’s the perfect summer drink, ready in about 20 minutes, plus cooling time.
Blueberry-Mint Lemonade Ingredients
For the Mint Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
For the Lemonade:
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 5 lemons)
- 2 cups cold water
- Ice
- Garnishes: extra blueberries, lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs
How To Make Blueberry-Mint Lemonade
- Make the mint syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the mint leaves, and let the syrup steep for at least 30 minutes. Strain the syrup to remove the mint leaves and let it cool completely.
- Puree the fruit: In a food processor or blender, combine the blueberries and the fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the puree: Pour the blueberry-lemon mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl or pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp.
- Combine and serve: Stir the cooled mint syrup and 2 cups of cold water into the blueberry-lemon juice. Add ice to the pitcher, stir well, and serve in glasses garnished with extra blueberries, lemon slices, and fresh mint.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most flavor from the mint? When you add the mint leaves to the hot simple syrup, you can gently muddle or bruise them with the back of a spoon to help release their essential oils.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead drink for a party. You can prepare the mint syrup and the blueberry-lemon juice base up to 3 days in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Combine them with the cold water and ice just before serving.
- Can I use frozen blueberries? Absolutely. Thaw the frozen blueberries completely before pureeing them with the lemon juice.
- How can I make this a sparkling lemonade? For a fizzy version, combine the blueberry-lemon juice and the mint syrup in a pitcher. When ready to serve, pour it over ice in glasses and top with sparkling water or club soda instead of still water.
What To Serve With Blueberry-Mint Lemonade
This refreshing lemonade is a perfect drink for a summer barbecue or picnic. It pairs wonderfully with:
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Light summer salads
- Spicy dishes, as the sweetness provides a nice balance
- A simple cheese and cracker platter
How To Store Blueberry-Mint Lemonade
- Refrigerate: Store the lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors may meld and deepen over time.
Blueberry-Mint Lemonade Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
It has a good balance of sweet and tart. You can easily adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less of the mint simple syrup.
Yes. You can mash the blueberries very thoroughly with a potato masher or the back of a fork before straining them to extract the juice.
Yes, you could use honey or agave nectar instead of granulated sugar, but you may need to adjust the quantity to your desired sweetness level.
Try More Recipes:
Blueberry-Mint Lemonade Recipe
Description
A vibrant and refreshing homemade lemonade with the perfect balance of sweet blueberries, tart lemon, and cool fresh mint.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mint Syrup: Boil sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add mint, and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain and cool completely.
- Blueberry Juice: Puree the blueberries and lemon juice in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, discarding the solids.
- Combine: Stir the cooled mint syrup and 2 cups of cold water into the pitcher with the blueberry juice.
- Serve: Add ice and serve immediately, garnished with fresh blueberries, lemon slices, and mint sprigs.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe blueberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- The mint simple syrup is a great recipe to have on hand for other drinks, like iced tea or cocktails.
- Don’t skip the straining step; it’s key to a smooth, pulp-free lemonade.
- This is a perfect, elegant drink for a summer party or a relaxing afternoon.