This Blackberry Lemonade Recipe couldn't get easier! Another in our collection of lemon recipes, this one is icy cold and perfectly refreshing on a hot summer's day. It's ultra-simple to make in just 5 minutes with fresh or frozen berries that add a beautiful pop of color and a delicious fruity flavor.
Whether made ahead or served immediately, this one is worthy of your next pool party or holiday celebration. Read the full post for our pro tips to infuse the most flavor, add variations, and even choose the best ice!
Some of the best drink recipes are the simplest, and this one is no exception. Here's what we love about this recipe:
- It's fast to make and can be prepared ahead, which makes it great for entertaining.
- It's a beautiful color! Maybe that seems trivial, but hey. It's one of the reasons I love it.
- It's versatile - it can be done completely from scratch or with shortcuts.
We have served flavored lemonades at pool parties, bridal showers, Sunday dinners, and even just simple weeknight gatherings for many years. If you're wondering what my personal favorite is, I really love this Cherry Lemonade!
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Berry lemonade ingredients
Since this recipe only has two ingredients, choose the most flavorful items you can find. Quantities are in the recipe card below.
- Lemonade: When I want to make this quickly, I use Simply Brand from the store. But this recipe is equally delicious with homemade lemonade (using fresh lemon juice, cold water, and sugar).
- Fresh or frozen blackberries: The key here is to choose flavorful fruit. If you're making this during prime berry season, chances are the fresh blackberries will be fine. Otherwise, frozen will be a good option.
Helpful kitchen tools
Lemon Kitchen TowelsCuisinart Mesh Strainers
Glass Pitcher
Braun Immersion Blender
How to make blackberry lemonade
Follow these three easy steps to make this recipe.
- Pour the lemonade into a large pitcher. If you're using homemade, start by making it fully and allowing it to cool.
- Add the blackberries directly to the pitcher, then use an immersion blender to zoom everything together until no large pieces remain.
- Now this part is key - let it sit for at least 5 minutes to allow all the flavors to infuse. You can leave it even up to overnight in the fridge. After it has infused, I like to pour it through a metal sieve to strain out the chunks.
Hint: A regular blender would also work just as well in this recipe.
Variations and substitutions
- For the BEST flavor, I can't recommend this homemade lemonade concentrate enough.
- Instead of fruit, you can use blackberry simple syrup.
- Substitute with limeade for a different flavor profile.
- Add a splash of sprite to make it sparkling.
- Add a splash of vodka to make a fun summer cocktail.
- Add a tiny bit of fresh lemon slices or zest for a little extra tang.
- Add fresh mint or sage for extra cooling on a hot day!
Whats the best kind of ice for lemonade?
You can use whatever shape and size you prefer, but definitely use lots of ice! I have a Nugget Ice Maker at my 9-5 job that I really love using (it's not the exact one linked, but it is similar and makes that classic Sonic Ice). I also like the small square shape of this Mini Ice Cube Tray I use at home.
Storage instructions
Store fresh blackberry lemonade in the fridge in a sealed pitcher for 5-7 days. I suggest giving it a good stir before pouring since the fruit likes to settle on the bottom.
FAQ
As long as your blackberries are ripe, this drink will be a delicious combo of sweet and tangy, with a wild mountain kind of taste. If you use unripe berries, it will take on their tart and somewhat unappealing flavor - so choose ripe fruit!
If you are using frozen blackberries, it is best to let them thaw a bit before you add them to the pitcher. This will allow some of the juices to release, which will make it more flavorful.
According to the American Heart Association's Sugar Recommendations, men and women shouldn't consume more than 36 and 25 grams of sugar a day, respectively. Simply Lemonade contains roughly 28 grams of sugar per serving, so unfortunately this recipe is not considered healthy. But it is delicious 😉
Tips and tricks
- If using fresh berries, wash them well before using. If using frozen, allow them to thaw first to release more juices.
- Adjust to your taste by adding more or less berries, or extra fresh lemon juice or zest.
- Save the bottle of your store bought lemonade. When it's time to strain, you can strain it through a funnel into the bottle, then pour it back into the pitcher to chill and serve.
More summer recipes
Looking for other recipes for a hot summer's day? Try these:
Recipe
Blackberry Lemonade Recipe (2 ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 52 oz lemonade
- 6 oz blackberries fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Pour the lemonade into a large pitcher. Add the blackberries and use an immersion blender to blend until no large chunks remain. (If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender).52 oz lemonade, 6 oz blackberries
- Allow the lemonade to sit for at least 5 minutes to infuse flavor. Then pour it through a strainer to remove the large chunks. Refrigerate until cold, then serve with ice.
Notes
- If using fresh berries, wash them well before using. If using frozen, allow them to thaw first to release more juices.
- Adjust to your taste by adding more or less berries, or extra fresh lemon juice or zest.
- Save the bottle of your store bought lemonade. When it's time to strain, you can strain it through a funnel into the bottle, then pour it back into the pitcher to chill and serve.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Lee says
So simple and a great way to use up blackberries in my fridge.