Description
A refreshing, fizzy, and visually stunning berry lemonade that is perfect for summer gatherings. This easy-to-make drink balances sweet berries, tart lemon, and sparkling water for a crowd-pleasing beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 medium fresh lemons (for about 1 cup juice)
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries and blueberries)
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 4–6 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
- 10–15 fresh mint leaves
- Ice (lots)
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (about 3-4 minutes). Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the berries: While syrup cools, rinse berries. Place in a blender and blend until smooth. For a smoother drink, strain puree through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing to extract juice, and discard seeds/pulp.
- Juice the lemons: Roll lemons on counter to soften. Cut in half and juice to get about 1 cup of fresh juice. Zest lemons before juicing if desired for extra aroma.
- Combine the base: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and berry puree. Stir well. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as needed. Lightly muddle mint leaves into the mixture if desired.
- Add ice and sparkle: Fill the pitcher with ice. Pour in cold sparkling water and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately in glasses filled with fresh ice.
Notes
Make the simple syrup the night before to save time. Use cold sparkling water to keep bubbles longer. If using frozen berries, do not thaw them completely before blending. The base can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; add sparkling water and ice just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: Labor Day, sparkling lemonade, berry drink, summer cocktail, non-alcoholic, crowd favorite, easy recipe, gluten-free, vegan