The BEST Homemade Berry Lemonade

I love berry lemonade. If a restaurant has berry flavored lemonade, I start to drool.

But first I ask my question, “How do you make your lemonade?” because, quite simply, I don’t like the way premade lemonade tastes. am a lemonade purist, and making homemade lemonade is so simple.

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If my seven and nine year old can make this lemonade, you can, too. Get ready to enjoy a little bit of sunshine!

###Need another fun idea for a summer beverage? Try a copycat java chip frappuccino!

What fruit should I use for homemade berry lemonade?

Lemonade works well with a variety of fruits. Use whatever you can prefer, whether it is strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or even blueberries.

I usually use frozen berries, as they release their juice more readily, but you can absolutely use fresh, in season fruit for your homemade lemonade. When you muddle the fruit, sprinkle a just a little sugar into the glass over the fruit first so the berries can macerate.

Let this sit for 20-30 minutes, and the berries will release far more juice than if you used them right away.

Why should I use brown sugar in lemonade?

Personally, I like making my homemade lemonade with brown sugar instead of white because it adds a little extra depth to the flavor and because I can use a little less sugar in my recipe that way, too.

It definitely changes the color of the lemonade, but I’m ok with that. It looks like ice tea, but it definitely doesn’t taste like it – and once you add the berries, it takes on the fresh and gorgeous color of them.

You can use white sugar, but increase it to one cup.

How long does homemade lemonade last in the fridge?

Once you make the berry lemonade, it will last for just two to three days. If you make homemade lemonade without berries, it lasts in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

If I plan to make lemonade but not drink all of it right away, I make my simple syrup and only make as much lemonade as I plan to drink within a day or two. Simple syrup lasts in the fridge for up to six months in the fridge.

How do I get the most juice from a lemon?

To extract as much juice as possible from the lemons, roll them on your counter while pressing on them using your palm to break apart some of the membranes inside.

In addition, gently warm the whole lemon in your microwave for 15-25 seconds. When the yellow rind softens, you can more easily release the juice, but be sure not to cook the lemon.

Be sure you use a lemon squeezer, as well. It’s shocking to me how much more juice I get when I use mine. They’re easy to use and clean, and they last a long time – I have the ones I bought over 20 years ago and use them regularly.

How to Make Homemade Berry Lemonade

If you like your lemonade sweeter, you can use 3/4 cup brown sugar and up to 1 cup white sugar. When you use the berries, however, keep in mind that they add their own natural sweetness, too.

In a small saucepan, add the brown sugar and one cup of water. Stir to dissolve. You’ll notice that sugar granules remain in the water.

We’re going to create a simple syrup, so simply turn the heat to medium and bring this to a boil. Stir gently from time to time.

After it’s boiled for a minute or two, turn off the heat and let the simple syrup come to room temperature. You’ll notice that the water has become supersaturated with the sugar and that it has now fully dissolved.

While the simple syrup is cooling, prepare your lemons. Cut them in half lengthwise (leaving the pointy ends intact) and squeeze out the juice into a liquid measuring cup to ensure you get one cup of juice.

Once the simple syrup has cooled, add the lemon juice to it and stir. Pour this into a pitcher and add another 3 cups of water.

Taste test it and see if it’s still too strong or the perfect taste for you. I usually add between 4 and 5 cups of water to my lemonade base, but I test along the way

Lemons are all different and their juice doesn’t always have the same taste or strength. Once you’ve diluted it with water, you can’t undilute it!

Place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. I like my lemonade very cold, so I always add ice to my glass.

For the homemade berry lemonade, place about an eighth of a cup of fruit into a tall glass.

If you use frozen fruit, be sure to thaw it first. If you’re using fresh fruit, wash it and remove any stems or leaves you need to, then cut it into large chunks.

Using a wooden spoon, muddle the fruit in the bottom of the glass (gently mash it).

Add ice cubes, then pour your lemonade on top. Feel free to use the wooden spoon to stir it one last time to get the fruit distributed both over and under the ice.

Side note, I have since purchased silicone molds that make giant ice cube balls that melt slower and everyone raves about. I cannot recommend these enough for any drinks you make.

Be sure to bookmark this page to make your own homemade berry lemonade again!

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