sparkling blueberry lemonade

by jenna on July 20, 2011

For some reason, yesterday afternoon I was wishing it was already Fall. I think because I was sitting on my computer drooling over these boots when I should have been balancing my budget or something.

Pshhhhhh

Anyway, then I remembered that I had a big bowl of pineapple and rainier cherries in the fridge, cute wedges in my closet and a new black bikini that’s hardly been worn yet, and all of a sudden I was glad it was summer again…and not Fall.

Then I made some of this lemonade and was really glad it was still summer! Oh yes I was.

It’s a pretty drink, wouldn’t you say? Lemonade has always been one of my favorite treats. But not that powered crap stuff. Just thinking about that gives me a cavity. And definitely not crystal light, either! I’m talking good ol’ fashioned lemonade served in frosty Ball jars with colorful straws.

The idea for this refreshing summer drink was born when I realized that I already had a big bottle of blueberry juice leftover in my fridge from making a blueberry almond tart a couple weeks ago.

What’s a girl to do?

Add a splash to her lemonade, that’s what! Along with sparkling water. Sparkles make everything better!

You know what would be really cute that I didn’t even think to do? Freeze blueberries and use them as ice cubes! But you already were thinking that, huh? You’re so smart.

I bet you were also thinking you could add booze to this, weren’t you? Just a little?

Let me know how that works out for you.

Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade

makes 1 pitcher

Print this recipe!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar*

1 cup water

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (roughly about 8 large lemons)

1/2 cup blueberry juice

3 cups cold sparkling water

Directions:

Bring the sugar and water to a simmer on the stove and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Pour simple syrup into a cup and stick in the fridge to chill for an hour.

When ready to make lemonade, juice lemons then pour lemon juice through a strainer into the pitcher to catch the seeds. Add the chilled simple syrup to the lemon juice along with the blueberry juice and sparkling water. Stir well.

Serve with frozen blueberries and additional lemon slices if desired.

Time:

1.5 hours (Including time to chill simple syrup)

**to make your lemonade less sweet, use 1/2 cup sugar instead of 3/4 cup

 

 

 

 

Related Posts with ThumbnailsPin It

{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Molly @ RDexposed July 20, 2011 at 4:32 am

Ooooh I like the thought of switching up fruit to sip. I need this today, it’s supposed to be over 100 all day and the humidity is supposed to make life miserable..again!

Reply

2 amy walters, aDESIGNdock July 20, 2011 at 4:32 am

Yummy yummy yummy! Stunning photos Jenna. Just beautiful ;)

Reply

3 Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food July 20, 2011 at 4:34 am

mmm such a great idea to add the blueberries! I can’t wait to try this.

Cold bubbly beverages are our makeshift ACs! :)

Reply

4 Daisy July 20, 2011 at 4:40 am

definitely adding vodka! what a pretty drink!

Reply

5 Daisy May 22, 2012 at 12:26 pm

Oh my god, it’s me from the future.

Vodka would be great in this.

Reply

6 Holly @ The Runny Egg July 20, 2011 at 4:43 am

I go back and forth about whether I want it to be Fall or Summer — right now I just wish the 100 degree weather would go away. Bring back the high 70s and 80s!

I’m guessing you buy blueberry juice already made, or can you make it yourself!

Reply

7 Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 20, 2011 at 4:44 am

This sounds so refreshing and it looks beautiful!! (PS. Love the boots!)

Reply

8 Faith @ For the Health of It July 20, 2011 at 4:50 am

I love that you’re always one step ahead of me – I was thinking about adding a splash of lemonade vodka!

Reply

9 Hayley @ Hayley Daily July 20, 2011 at 4:54 am

This is such a great idea! It looks and sounds so refreshing, especially for all of those going through the crazy heat waves in the U.S. It also sounds like the perfect drink to transform into a cocktail. ;)

Reply

10 Heather (Heather's Dish) July 20, 2011 at 4:57 am

i’ve been dreaming of fall lately too…so weird since it just now is summery in colorado anyway! the fall is just SOOOOO perfect here though and it’s hard not to be reminded of that!

Reply

11 Jane (Jane, Feeling Fit) July 20, 2011 at 4:57 am

Wow, you’re up early! Do you always wake up before 5 AM??

And the drink looks yummy :)

Reply

12 Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories July 20, 2011 at 5:01 am

Cute boots! Do you want them in black? I kind of like the wine better.

Reply

13 Kristen @ notsodomesticated July 20, 2011 at 5:05 am

Yum!! And I like the idea about the ice cubes… that would be great for a party!

Reply

14 Lauren @ What Lauren Likes July 20, 2011 at 5:08 am

Beautiful pictures and recipe!! this is perfect for the sweltering weather! The heat has been deathly this week!

Reply

15 Caroline @ chocolate and carrots July 20, 2011 at 5:12 am

What a refreshing Summer treat!!! :-) Yum!! I’m so wanting Fall already too. I’ve had enough of this crazy heat. I need Fall! ;-) Thank you for making Summer bearable with this drink. :)

Reply

16 Blog is the New Black July 20, 2011 at 5:14 am

This looks amazing! And gorgeous pics, as always!

Reply

17 Baking N Books July 20, 2011 at 5:24 am

I love summer – but it is so humid here. I can’t quench my thirst and have been drinking a lot of Vitamin water and Coconut Water (which I like!).

Love the color here – but you lost me after the Bikini :(

Reply

18 Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy July 20, 2011 at 5:28 am

I love summer, but it has been so hot these past few days that I am ready for it to cool down!

Reply

19 Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} July 20, 2011 at 5:30 am

I love all the colors in your photos today. So pretty!

Reply

20 maria @ Chasing the Now July 20, 2011 at 5:32 am

sounds killer. I’ve been wanting a reason to buy blueberry juice anyway…

Reply

21 Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum July 20, 2011 at 5:37 am

Beautiful! I have some leftover lemons from the my sister’s wedding decorations that need to get used up – I think I just found what to do with them!

Reply

22 Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga July 20, 2011 at 5:38 am

It looks lovely! And I DIG the COLOR!!! Soooo pretty. And yes, I bet bloob ice cubes would be fun.

But so would this be fun:
“I bet you were also thinking you could add booze to this, weren’t you? Just a little?”

Yes, ma’am indeed :)

Reply

23 Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 20, 2011 at 5:38 am

I love fall but I would never want to wish the summer away here in NY because after fall comes 6 months of torture/hibernation!
What a neat twist on lemonade!

Reply

24 Cait's Plate July 20, 2011 at 5:48 am

Oh my. Those photos are beautiful. I have a feeling I’m going to see one of these beauties on food gawker pretty soon ;)

Reply

25 Krystina (Organically Me) July 20, 2011 at 5:57 am

So um, my immediate thought is that this would taste so perfect with some Prosecco.

Reply

26 Brooke @ BittersweetBrooke July 20, 2011 at 5:59 am

The lemonade looks so bright and cheery. I am vacationing in New Hampshire in a couple weeks in blueberry country! I will most definitely have to give this lemonade with some fresh bluebs!

Reply

27 Erika @ The Teenage Taste July 20, 2011 at 6:02 am

This is so cool! I love lemonade and I love blueberries, so why not?

Reply

28 Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove July 20, 2011 at 6:16 am

I am a big fan of lemonade. I could drink it all the time.

Reply

29 Lauren Elizabeth July 20, 2011 at 6:16 am

I have those boots in a cognac color and love love love them! I wore them nearly every day last fall/winter. Definitely worth the purchase!

Reply

30 Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles July 20, 2011 at 6:19 am

Oh yummm! …I will let you know how the booze works out for me! ;)
I’m not quite ready for summer to be over at all, it’s the teacher in me!

Reply

31 Natalie S. July 20, 2011 at 6:22 am

That looks fantastic! Perfect for summer… especially with a little splash of vodka ;)

Reply

32 Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner July 20, 2011 at 6:30 am

wow… i would love to have a glass of this right now. looks soo good and can’t wait to try it myself.

Reply

33 Kristina July 20, 2011 at 6:36 am

That looks so refreshing! Yum

Reply

34 Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) July 20, 2011 at 6:50 am

I love homemade lemonade and that looks absolutely amazing!

Reply

35 Amy July 20, 2011 at 6:56 am

Looks beautiful, delicious and refreshing! My hubby and I make lemonade/rum/sprite slushies with ice-cubes. But we use the powdered mix b/c that is all I have. I’m kind of ashamed to give out that information. I need to make some good, high-quality homemade (blueberry?) lemonade!

Reply

36 DessertForTwo July 20, 2011 at 6:56 am

How perfect! I just bought one of those bubbly water makers! Yum!

Reply

37 Casey July 20, 2011 at 7:12 am

That looks awesome, Jenna. And as usual–I’m in love with the photos!

Reply

38 kaila @ healthyhelper! July 20, 2011 at 7:14 am

This looks so incredibly refreshing!

Reply

39 Girl in the pink July 20, 2011 at 7:25 am

i love fresh squeezed lemonade – hate the powdered stuff! I’ve done strawberry and raspberry, but never blueberry lemonade! I need to try this on my next day by the pool!

Reply

40 Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles July 20, 2011 at 8:03 am

Ooooh, this looks so refreshing. Definitely a big step up from powdered lemonade drinks!

Reply

41 Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter) July 20, 2011 at 8:13 am

Blueberry lemonade? Sounds so refreshing and very summertime-ish!

Reply

42 Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life July 20, 2011 at 8:16 am

This looks so refreshing. With temps in the 100′s here, I’m putting this on my list of things to make!

Reply

43 Kathryn July 20, 2011 at 8:16 am

What a good idea! It looks so pretty and sounds so refreshing!

Reply

44 Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary July 20, 2011 at 8:22 am

SO pretty ! Loving the color. Can’t wait for the lemons on my tree to be ready ;)

Reply

45 Lauren July 20, 2011 at 8:43 am

Looks so good – a summer-perfect drink!

Is it weird that I’m totally missing/yearning to wear boots again? And this is coming from someone who adores the summer. I guess I just adore boots, too.

Reply

46 Lisa | Life in Green July 20, 2011 at 9:01 am

I would drink this regardless of how it tasted…just cause its so beeyooteeful!

Absolut Citron….I’m thinking would add a nice touch.

Reply

47 maria July 20, 2011 at 9:20 am

i have those boots in cognac after wanting them two falls ago when they were sold out…..get them!

Reply

48 Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather July 20, 2011 at 9:24 am

Such a pretty summer drink! Frozen blueberries would make it even better for sure :)

Reply

49 kristina@beancakes ? July 20, 2011 at 9:44 am

gosh this looks delicious!! your photography is really nice. it’s weird, so many people are mentioning fall lately.
xo ~ kristina

Reply

50 Emily @ Journey to the Center of Manhattan July 20, 2011 at 9:48 am

mmmmm… YES PLEASE!

Reply

51 Katrina July 20, 2011 at 9:54 am

This sounds so delish! Yummy recipe!

Reply

52 Sonia (the Mexigarian) July 20, 2011 at 10:11 am

Wow. I was just gazing at my lemon pile the other day and thought about making blueberry lemonade. Thank you for clearly picking up on my thoughts. Lol. I love love love anything lemony :D

Reply

53 Meghan @ StruggleMuffins July 20, 2011 at 10:42 am

Looks so yummy and I bet its out-of-this-world refreshing on a hot day. There’s something about drinking juice (booze infused or not) out of a Ball jar that makes the experience more enjoyable. I think the checked tablecloth takes the summeryness up even a notch further. Well played, well played :)

Reply

54 Maria July 20, 2011 at 10:54 am

I love the sparkling touch!

Reply

55 Alexa @ Simple Eats July 20, 2011 at 11:05 am

Yum! This looks really refreshing. I love the combo of blueberry and lemon!

Reply

56 rachel @ the faded apron shared table July 20, 2011 at 11:08 am

that looks delicious. i was @ a farm to table conference yesterday & they served blueberry infused water. i’d never heard of such a thing? it was raelly sweet and tasty but i’m pretty sure it was just blueberries in water…

Reply

57 Chelsea July 20, 2011 at 11:33 am

That looks so refreshing. I’ve been dreaming of fall a little too much too.

My mom surprised me on my birthday week with your Cherry Claufotis and it was delish – great recipe! Only disaster was saying “claufotis” in Texan…:)

Reply

58 Elizabeth @ Coppertop Kitchen July 20, 2011 at 12:05 pm

Hey, I love you. I was wondering what to do with all that leftover blueberry juice. And I already made another tart! Thanks :-)

Reply

59 Urban Wife July 20, 2011 at 12:39 pm

I am making this tonight because I have a huge bag of lemons and they shall not go to waste! Thanks for the recipe. :)

Reply

60 danielle July 20, 2011 at 12:46 pm

highly recommend the boots! i got the cognac pair last fall, one of my fav purchases…comfy and go with so many things

Reply

61 Kelsey @ aslolife July 20, 2011 at 12:54 pm

Those look so good! My husband and I are having some people over for dinner this weekend and these would be perfect with a little added citron vodka!

Reply

62 Julia July 20, 2011 at 2:29 pm

Your post is 100% the cause of me ordering these (http://www.endless.com/Madden-Girl-Womens-Zandora-Boot/dp/B00525X2GC). Fall is just around the corner, right?

Reply

63 Mellie July 20, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Summer is ALWAYS > fall, especially when there are amazing-looking drinks like this! I have a trillion blueberries right now so this is perfect!

Reply

64 Heidi - Apples Under My Bed July 20, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Love this recipe and love the frozen blueberries as ice cubes idea! snap!
Heidi xo

Reply

65 Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 20, 2011 at 4:53 pm

I’m torn between loving the summer and wishing it were fall too. :P I just can’t wait for crisp air, fall hikes, and pumpkin!

Reply

66 Tara July 20, 2011 at 4:53 pm

i’ve had those boots (steve madden Intyce) for two years and they still look great! and they’re super comfortable

Reply

67 Lee @ in the pink of condition July 20, 2011 at 6:56 pm

Oh my gosh, I was totally thinking about adding Blueberry Stoli vodka and then you caught me! :-)

Reply

68 Notyet100 July 20, 2011 at 11:38 pm

This looks so good

Reply

69 Corrie Anne July 22, 2011 at 11:41 am

Oh yeah. I love blueberry. I want to try that!

Reply

70 Kim July 23, 2011 at 12:40 pm

YES! Must make this now. It’s been over 100 degrees for two days now. If that doesn’t call for sparkly lemonade, I don’t know what does!

Reply

71 Andrea July 26, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Love this recipe! I juiced freshly picked blueberries and the lemons and it came out great! Then, I added a shot of tequila and a splash of peach schnapps to each glasss… Very smooth and tasty. The perfect summer drink!

Reply

72 emma August 21, 2011 at 7:39 am

Made this for an open house this weekend and it was sooo good!
It’ll be added to any party or house warming type event we go to from now on!
: )

Reply

73 Björg @asolosingerinamerica April 16, 2012 at 8:01 am

Mmm that looks delicious :)

Reply

74 Tricia April 22, 2012 at 5:27 pm

Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits. This looks so refreshing ~ can’t wait to try the recipe!

Blessings!

Reply

75 Grace (GracefulEats) May 12, 2012 at 2:34 pm

Looks so refreshing, Jenna!

What brand of sparkling water did you use? We don’t have a WF (or big organic store) in town, so I have difficulty finding a brand I like that doesn’t use aspartame.

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 3 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post: