Lavender Blueberry Lemonade Recipe

Combine and macerate

In a medium saucepan combine 2 cups blueberries, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Stir to combine and let sit 10 minutes to macerate so berries begin to release juice.

Simmer

Place the saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for 8–10 minutes until blueberries have softened and released their juices and the sugar is fully dissolved.

Meld flavors

Reduce heat to low and simmer 2 more minutes to allow lavender flavor to infuse. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (this brightens the flavor and helps preserve color).

Strain and cool

Place a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth over a bowl or measuring cup. Pour the hot mixture through the sieve, pressing on solids with a spoon or spatula to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard solids (or reserve cooked berries for another use). Let syrup cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container until chilled, at least 1 hour. Yield: about 1 to 1 1/4 cups syrup.

Make lemonade base

In a large pitcher combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust: for sweeter lemonade add a little simple syrup or extra lavender-blueberry syrup; for tarter lemonade add more lemon juice.

Sweeten with syrup

Add approximately 3 tablespoons chilled lavender-blueberry syrup per 1 cup lemonade (adjust to taste). Stir thoroughly so syrup is evenly distributed and the lemonade takes on a pale purple hue. If making a larger batch, scale syrup at roughly 3 TBS per cup of lemonade.

Serve

Fill glasses with ice (about 1/2 cup ice per 8 oz glass). Pour lemonade over ice. For each glass garnish with a few fresh blueberries, a lemon slice, and a sprig of mint if using. Optionally drizzle an extra 1/2 teaspoon syrup on top for a swirl.

Storage

Store leftover syrup in the refrigerator up to 10 days. Store assembled lemonade chilled and consume within 48 hours for best flavor. Stir before serving if separation occurs.