INGREDIENTS:

• 3 to 4 cups water, divided
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup blackberries
• 1½ cups fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP:
   • Combine 1 cup of water and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
   • Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
   • Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool.
2. PREPARE BERRY MIXTURE:
   • In a blender, blend the blueberries and blackberries until they become liquified.
3. STRAIN THE BERRIES:
   • Pour the blended berry mixture through a mesh strainer into a pitcher.
   • Use the strainer to remove any seeds and solids, leaving behind a smooth liquid.
4. ADD LEMON JUICE:
   • To the strained berry mixture in the pitcher, add the fresh lemon juice.
5. ADJUST CONSISTENCY:
   • Add 2 cups of water to the pitcher and stir to combine the ingredients.
   • Taste the mixture and assess its strength and flavor. If it’s too strong, you can add another cup of water to achieve the desired taste.
6. CHILL AND SERVE:
   • Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill the mixture thoroughly.
   • Once chilled, serve the berry lemonade over ice and enjoy!

Note:

You can adjust the water quantity according to your taste preferences. If you prefer a more diluted flavor, you can add more water.

Here are a few variations of the berry lemonade recipe:

1. Minty Berry Lemonade:

• Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the berry mixture before blending. This will infuse the lemonade with a refreshing minty flavor. You can also garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.

2. Sparkling Berry Lemonade:

• Instead of adding plain water, replace it with sparkling water or soda water for a fizzy twist. This will create a bubbly and refreshing berry lemonade.

3. Mixed Berry Lemonade:

• Use a combination of different berries such as raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries to create a mixed berry lemonade with a more complex flavor profile.

4. Honey Berry Lemonade:

• Substitute the sugar with honey for a natural sweetener. Start with a smaller amount of honey and adjust to taste.

5. Tropical Berry Lemonade:

• Add a splash of pineapple or mango juice to the mixture for a tropical twist. This will give your berry lemonade a unique and exotic flavor.

6. Herb-Infused Berry Lemonade:

• Experiment with other herbs such as basil, rosemary, or thyme. Infusing the herbs in the simple syrup can add interesting herbal undertones to your lemonade.

7. Spiced Berry Lemonade:

• Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the berry mixture for a spiced version of the lemonade. This can add warmth and depth to the flavor.

8. Frozen Berry Lemonade Slushie:

• Freeze the berry mixture into ice cubes, then blend them with fresh lemon juice to create a frosty and slushie-like berry lemonade.

9. Coconut Berry Lemonade:

• Mix in a splash of coconut water or coconut milk to create a creamy and tropical coconut berry lemonade.

10. Berry Lemonade Mocktail:

• Turn this lemonade into a mocktail by adding a splash of grenadine syrup for color and a touch of sweetness. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.