Can I make berry lemonade ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, if you want the lemonade to be cold, you will need to make it at least a couple hours ahead of time, to give it time to chill in the fridge. (Total chilling time will depend on how cold the water was that you added, as well as how cold your fridge is.) This homemade lemonade will keep in the fridge (covered) for 3 - 4 days . If needed, give the lemonade a quick shake or stir before serving.

Why do I need to cook the berries first?

While not absolutely necessary, I like cooking the berries because it's an easy way to dissolve the sugar fully. Cooking also helps break down and concentrate the berry juices a bit. (This is especially important if you're using blueberries, as they're not as naturally juicy as other berries.) And, if you're using frozen berries, you don't have to worry about thawing the berries first before making the lemonade.

What kind of berries should I use for berry lemonade?

The beauty of this berry lemonade is that you can customize it however you want. This recipe works well with any type of berry, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries. You can also use a combination of those berries in whatever ratio you want. Just make sure the amount of berries you are using equals 20 ounces (567 grams). If using mixed frozen berries, this will equal about 4 cups in volume.

Berry Lemonade

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Berry lemonade is a fruity twist on the classic lemonade! You can make this easy lemonade recipe with either fresh or frozen berries.

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: drinks
Method: stove top
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

20 ounces (567 g) frozen or fresh berries (note 1)
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1 cup (237 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4 - 5 large lemons)
2 1/2 - 3 cups (591 - 710 ml) cold water , or to taste (note 2)

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Instructions

For fresh berries only: rinse all the berries and remove the stems from the strawberries (if using).
In a medium saucepan, stir together the berries and sugar. If using frozen berries, also add in a splash of water (about 2 tablespoons).
Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries are very juicy and starting to soften. For fresh berries, this will take about 4 - 5 minutes. For frozen, this will take about 8 - 9 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Use an immersion ("stick") blender to blend the berries in the saucepan. Alternatively, mash the berries very well using a potato masher (the berries don't need to be perfectly smooth, some chunks are ok).
Pour the berry mixture into a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon to press the berry mixture into the mesh to help it strain faster. Stop once most of the liquid has been removed and you can see mostly berry seeds and pulp. You should have about 1 2/3 cups liquid.
Place the berry juice in the fridge to begin cooling. Meanwhile, juice the lemons.
Add the lemon juice, berry juice, and water (to taste) to a pitcher (or you can use the berry juice bowl).
Place the lemonade in the fridge until chilled. The lemonade will keep well in the fridge, covered, for 3 - 4 days.

Notes

1. You can use any one of these berries, or a combination: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries. The berries can be either fresh or frozen (unsweetened). If using frozen mixed berries, 20 ounces equals about 4 cups.

2. The amount of water you wish to add will depend on your personal taste and how you want to serve the lemonade. Adding the lesser amount of water will result in a more concentrated lemonade with a stronger flavor. This is a good option if you want to serve the lemonade on a hot day with lots of ice, as the ice will dilute the lemonade as it melts. Alternatively, if you want a less sweet, more mild flavor, you may want to add extra water.

3. This recipe makes about 5 1/2 - 6 cups, depending on how much water you use. If you need a larger amount, you can easily double or triple the recipe! Depending on the size of your strainer and how much you are making, you may need to strain the berry puree in two batches.

The nutrition information below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator; the nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brand and exact amounts of ingredients used. This nutrition estimate should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full disclosure policy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
Calories: 174
Sugar: 38.7 g
Sodium: 9 mg
Fat: 0.8 g
Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 43.2 g
Fiber: 4.3 g
Protein: 1.3 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/berry-lemonade/