Honey Sweetened Berry Lemonade
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Honey Sweetened Berry Lemonade – Fresh, sweet, and perfectly old-fashioned.
A deliciously refreshing summer drink, perfect for barbecues and picnics.
Once or twice a summer, I get a hankering for old-fashioned lemonade. I want the kind with freshly squeezed lemon juice and plenty of berries in it. Nothing too smooth or strained. That home-y texture is what I crave most.
This Honey Sweetened Berry Lemonade really hits that sweet spot. It’s got a gorgeous texture from the fresh berries, it’s tangy with the fresh lemon juice, sweet from the honey, and there’s even a little brightness from mint (or basil) that really brings the other flavors to life.
I’ve been historically anti-mint. (My thinking: “why would anyone want their food to taste like toothpaste?”) I’ve changed my thinking this year, and I’m majorly crushing on mint this season. I think when it’s not overdone, it adds a little pop of freshness and brightens the other flavors (rather than dominating them). So, so good. Basil is also an amazing one. It’s a little bit stronger, but it’s a deliciously bold flavor that tastes amazing.
The other big thing here is the berries. Berries make it so beautiful and add natural sweetness. You can use fresh or frozen berries. I use a blender (an immersion blender in a pitcher or a regular blender) to help break up the berries a bit. Nothing too smooth! Then, I like to add frozen berries right before serving to act as berrylicious ice.
Whether you drink it straight from a pitcher, or pack it into mason jars with lids for picnics or barbecues, this is sure to become one of your favorite summer drinks.
Notes on the recipe:
Don’t be scared! If adding fresh herbs to your lemonade sounds a little scary, never fear. You’ll still have a fresh, sweet berry lemonade without them.
Ooh, sparkly! For a bubbly version, try making this with unsweetened sparkling water (like La Croix) instead of water. It’s a fizzy and fun change of pace!
Amounts. The amounts below are in a range. This is because everyone has their own taste preferences. Some like it more lemony, some like it sweeter.
Ice, ice, baby. This lemonade is fairly strong, since it’s intended to be served over ice, which will melt and dilute the flavor. If you’re not adding ice, or find that it’s too concentrated a flavor for you, just add more water or sparkling water till you hit your sweet spot.
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PrintHoney Sweetened Berry Lemonade
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups lemonade 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Beat the summer heat with this delicious honey-sweetened lemonade! This easy homemade lemonade recipe is bright, fresh, and lovely thanks to fresh berries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a kiss of honey.
Ingredients
For The Lemonade:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries*
- 1 cup fresh blueberries*
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey (or agave, for subtler flavor)
- 4 cups water
- 2–3 cups ice
Optional Garnish:
- 3–4 sprigs fresh mint or fresh basil
- Lemon slices or lemon wedges
- Fresh berries
- Edible flowers, like chamomile blossoms
Instructions
- Dissolve Honey. Heat 1 cup of water in a small saucepan on the stove or in the microwave until warm (not boiling). Add honey and stir to dissolve completely.
- Pulse To Combine. Add dissolved honey mixture to a blender along with lemon juice and berries. Pulse to break up the berries (no need to fully puree).
- Mix In Water. Stir in remaining cold water and stir to combine. Transfer lemonade mixture to a large pitcher with 2-3 cups of ice or pour into glasses full of ice. (If not serving right away, add the ice right before serving.)
- Garnish. If desired, garnish with more fresh berries, fresh mint, lemon wedge, lemon slices, etc.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy right away over ice. Leftover lemonade will keep fresh in the refrigerator 3-4 days. (You can freeze it in freezer-safe jars or ice cube trays, if desired!)
Notes
- Frozen or Fresh. You can use either frozen berries or fresh berries for this recipe. We recommend 2 cups of fruit. You can choose from strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Mix and match your favorites!
- Honey VS Agave. You will likely be able to taste the honey in this recipe. I think that’s part of its charm, but if you want a more neutral flavor, we recommend agave syrup. (I do NOT recommend maple syrup)
- Try It With Sparkling Water! For a fizzy finish, use sparkling water instead.
- Pack it To Go! This refreshing homemade lemonade recipe can easily be packed up to go for picnics, bbqs, or potlucks. I love to pour it into mason jars, so I can seal it with lids. Less spilling!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Recipe originally shared May 2016.
