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Summer Skies Drink: A Refreshing Recipe for Hot Days

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A refreshing homemade lemonade with vibrant blueberry simple syrup for a beautiful blue hue and delicious flavor. Perfect for summer!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries, divided
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)
  • 4 cups cold water, plus more to taste
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon slices, for garnish
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
  • Edible blue glitter (optional, for a “sky” effect)

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 cup blueberries, sugar, and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
  3. Mash the blueberries with a spoon or potato masher.
  4. Continue simmering for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens slightly and turns deep blue.
  5. Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-proof bowl, pressing on the blueberries to extract syrup. Discard pulp.
  6. Cool the syrup completely.
  7. Juice lemons to yield 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
  8. In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Stir well.
  9. Pour cooled blueberry simple syrup into the pitcher with the lemonade base.
  10. Stir thoroughly to combine.
  11. Adjust sweetness to taste with more simple syrup or lemon juice.
  12. Gently stir in the remaining ½ cup fresh blueberries.
  13. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and allow flavors to meld.
  14. Fill glasses with ice cubes.
  15. Pour chilled lemonade into glasses.
  16. Garnish with lemon slices.
  17. Add mint sprigs (optional).
  18. Sprinkle with edible blue glitter (optional).
  19. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Sparkling Summer Skies: Top with sparkling water or club soda.
  • Berry Medley: Add raspberries or strawberries to the simple syrup.
  • Herbal Infusion: Infuse the simple syrup with lavender or rosemary.
  • Boozy Summer Skies: Add a shot of vodka or gin.
  • Frozen Summer Skies: Blend with ice.
  • The blueberry simple syrup can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The lemonade base can be made a day in advance. Just combine them when you’re ready to serve.
  • Adjust the Sweetness: Everyone has different preferences when it comes to sweetness. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the simple syrup to suit your taste.
  • Use Organic Ingredients: For the best flavor and quality, use organic blueberries and lemons if possible.
  • Don’t Overcook the Syrup: Be careful not to overcook the blueberry simple syrup, as it can become too thick and sticky.
  • Strain Thoroughly: Make sure to strain the blueberry simple syrup thoroughly to remove any seeds or pulp.

Find it online: https://anasrecipes.com/summer-skies-drink/