Pioneer Woman Blueberry Lemonade

Pioneer Woman blueberry lemonade is an easy summer drink made with fresh lemons, muddled blueberries and sparkling water, ready in 20 minutes. It's a refreshing make-ahead drink for Fourth of July, picnics or baby showers, and it's alcohol-free for the whole family.

Let the simple syrup cool completely before it goes into the pitcher, because warm syrup melts the ice too fast. Skip that and you end up with a watered-down lemonade that loses its bright tang.

Muddling the blueberries right in the pitcher turns the water a pretty pink and spreads the berry flavor through every glass. Topping each glass with sparkling water instead of plain water adds a light fizz that balances the tart lemons and the sweet berries.

Pioneer Woman Blueberry Lemonade

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Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

159

kcal

Muddled blueberries and fresh lemon juice make a tart, fruity base that gets a light fizz from sparkling water. Poured over ice, it turns pink and tastes bright, sweet and cold.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c. granulated sugar
  

• 9 lemons
  

• 1 c. blueberries. plus more for garnish
  

• Sparkling water, for topping
  

Directions

• Make the simple syrup: Heat 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the sugar dissolves, take it off the heat and let it cool.
• Juice the lemons: Juice the 9 lemons until you have about 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice. Then set the juice aside while you get the berries ready.
• Muddle the blueberries: Put 1 cup blueberries in a pitcher and muddle them with a potato masher or the handle of a wooden spoon. Mash them until the juices run, so the flavor spreads through the whole pitcher.
• Mix the lemonade: Add ice to the pitcher, then pour in the lemon juice, 1 cup of the simple syrup and 5 cups cold water. Stir everything together until it's evenly combined.
• Pour and top: Pour the lemonade into glasses and top each one with a splash of sparkling water. Finish with a few extra blueberries on top for garnish.

Tools for this recipe

• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 3-quart saucepan, OXO Good Grips nylon potato masher, Zulay metal lemon squeezer. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries for this lemonade?

Yes, frozen blueberries work well, and they even help keep the pitcher cold. Thaw them a few minutes first so they muddle easily and release their color.

How long does blueberry lemonade keep in the fridge?

It tastes best the day you make it, but you can keep the pitcher covered in the fridge for a couple of days. Add the sparkling water only to each glass, because it goes flat if it sits.

Can I make the simple syrup ahead of time?

Yes, and it's a good way to save time on a busy day. Cool it completely, then keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge until you're ready to mix the lemonade.

What can I use if I don't have a potato masher?

The handle of a wooden spoon does the job just as well. A sturdy fork or the back of a ladle also works if you press the berries against the bottom of the pitcher.

What's the most common mistake when making homemade lemonade?

Using too little water is the usual problem, since fresh lemon juice is very strong and turns sour fast. Stick to the full 5 cups of cold water, then taste and add a little more syrup if you like it sweeter.