My Blueberry Lemonade requires just four ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare, and that’s if you count water as an ingredient. The signature drink of summer gets an upgrade thanks to my delicious shortcut!
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Original content posted July 2015. Updated August 2019.
If you had to think of a signature drink of summer, what would it be? For me, I’d immediately respond lemonade! Sure, you can drink lemonade year round but during the dog days of summer, it’s at it’s most thirst quenching. I especially love trying flavored lemonades when at a restaurants. I just don’t like the crazy high price tag for each glass that includes absolutely zero refills.
But not this summer! No sir! I’ve figured out a way to make an incredible flavored lemonade in record time – and way less money than order at a restaurant! – thanks to a delicious shortcut. My Blueberry Lemonade requires just four ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare. And that’s if you count water as an ingredient.
Blueberry fans will also want to be sure to try my Coconut Blueberry Crisp, Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread and One Bowl Blueberry Brownies. You could have an entire blueberry feast served alongside a glass of this lemonade!
What is Simple Syrup?
My recipe begins with a simple syrup. Keyword is indeed, simple! Simple syrup is made of only two ingredients in equal portions, sugar and water. The mixture needs to be heated so the sugar dissolves into the water, thus, creating a syrup.
Then it’s time for my delicious shortcut. Instead of actual blueberries, I pulled a jar of blueberry preserves from my pantry to really make this Blueberry Lemonade stand out from the crowd. And to make sure I was sipping a glass in just minutes!
The preserves are then whisked into the simple syrup and allowed to cool before being added to more water and fresh lemon juice. That’s it! All that’s left is grabbing a glass, some ice and sitting back to enjoy the fruits of your labor. No pun intended.
I can’t even tell you how fast this lemonade disappeared at our house. And I even doubled the recipe! As a special weekend treat I put the lemonade in one of those large jars with a spigot and sat it on the kitchen counter. I then watched it disappear in practically the same amount of minutes as it took me to prepare it.
My three year old son was completely enamored and repeatedly begged for more. You know, the same son that doesn’t even like blueberries!
How to Make Blueberry Lemonade
[1] In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup water and sugar.
[2] Whisk together until completely dissolved.
[3] Lower heat to low and add blueberry preserves.
[4] Whisk together until preserves are completely combined with sugar solution. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
[5] In a large pitcher, add two quarts of water and lemon juice.
[6] Add one cup of blueberry simple syrup and stir together to combine.
TIP: There will be additional simple syrup remaining after making the lemonade. Feel free to add additional to the pitcher to achieve desired taste. I liked pouring a few extra tablespoons over my individual glass for extra flavor and to enjoy the blueberries within the preserves.
If you’ve tried this Blueberry Lemonade or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment!
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Blueberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 13 ounce jar blueberry preserves
- 2 quarts water
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- blueberries and lemon wedges to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup water and sugar.
- Whisk together until completely dissolved.
- Lower heat to low and add blueberry preserves.
- Whisk together until preserves are completely combined with sugar solution. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- In a large pitcher, add two quarts of water and lemon juice.
- Add one cup of blueberry simple syrup and stir together to combine.
- Serve in glasses over ice and garnished with fresh blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for other lemonade recipes to beat the heat? No problem! You’ll definitely want to check out this Blackberry Mint Lemonade, Pink Lemonade Margarita and Sangria Lemonade.
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