Blueberry lavender lemonade is as calming as it is colorful, blending sweet blueberries with a whisper of floral lavender. It’s a dreamy, elegant option for brunches, showers, or simply a quiet moment to yourself.
Ingredients
– 1 cup fresh blueberries
– 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
– 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
– 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
– 4 cups water
– Ice cubes
– Fresh lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Lavender Infusion
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the dried lavender and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid to remove the lavender flowers, setting the infused water aside to cool.
Step 2: Make Blueberry Syrup
In a saucepan, combine fresh blueberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the blueberries burst and release their juices, around 5-7 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much syrup as possible.
Step 3: Mix Lemonade Base
In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, cooled lavender infusion, blueberry syrup, and remaining water. Stir well to combine.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate the lemonade until chilled. Serve over ice in vintage-style glasses and garnish with fresh lavender sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Ways to Improve It
1. Use sparkling water instead of still for a fizzy twist.
2. Add a splash of vodka or gin for an adult version.
3. Incorporate a few mint leaves for an extra refreshing aroma.
4. Adjust sweetness by substituting some sugar with honey or agave syrup.
5. Freeze some lemonade into ice cubes to avoid dilution.
What to Serve With It
This refreshing lemonade pairs beautifully with light appetizers like goat cheese crostini or cucumber sandwiches. For dessert, consider offering lemon bars or blueberry muffins to complement the drink’s flavors.
Substitutions
1. Use frozen blueberries if fresh ones are unavailable.
2. Substitute dried lavender with lavender extract (use sparingly).
3. Replace sugar with any preferred sweetener like honey or stevia.
Recipe Variations
1. Strawberry Lavender Lemonade: Swap blueberries for strawberries.
2. Lavender Limeade: Replace lemons with limes for a tangy twist.
3. Blueberry Mint Lemonade: Add muddled mint leaves instead of lavender.
4. Honey Lavender Lemonade: Use honey as the sweetener for a richer flavor profile.
Enjoy creating this delightful drink that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering!
