Homemade Blackberry Lemonade

It’s sweet, it’s tart, it’s a beautiful shade of pink that looks gorgeous with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves. This blackberry lemonade uses a from-scratch blackberry sugar syrup mixed with fresh lemon juice and served over ice. It’s a Southern favorite, and also perfect with a splash of bourbon.

three glasses of blackberry lemonade with black straws.

Making lemonade from scratch might seem like extra work, but it’s mostly hands-off time. The berry syrup simmers while you juice the lemons, and everything just needs a quick mix before chilling. You’re left with a refreshing drink that’s not too sweet and has actual fruit flavor.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Use fresh lemons! Freshly squeezed lemon juice is so much better for homemade lemonade. Fresh or frozen berries work here, depending on whether they’re in season or not. You can add club soda and a splash of vodka to make this a cocktail.

A Newsletter you’ll love

Daily recipes from the farmhouse, Sunday meal plans, seasonal ideas, straight from my kitchen to your inbox. 

ingredients measured out on counter.

This makes enough for 6 glasses, but it is so easy to double or triple for a party. You can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

  • saucepan
  • strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup blackberries, frozen is fine
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water for the syrup
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cups of water for mixing

How to Make

Step One: Make The Syrup. In a small saucepan, heat the berries, sugar, and a half cup of water. Bring it to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.

blackberries cooking in saucepan.

Step Two: Strain And Chill. Strain the syrup through a mesh strainer over a bowl. Press down on the berries to get as much of the syrup as possible. Cover the bowl and chill it in the fridge for 1 hour.

blackberries straining into bowl, and bowl covered.

Step Three: Mix And Chill. Combine everything into the pitcher (the syrup, lemon juice, and 3 cups of water). Let it chill and serve it over ice with some blackberries for garnish.

syrup in pitcher and finished lemonade in pitcher with fruit on top.

Storing & Serving

If you have any leftover lemonade, tightly cover the pitcher and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Serve this at a summer party with:

Answering Your Questions

Can you make lemonade ahead of time?

Sure! You can make the whole recipe, start to finish, and keep it in the fridge for 24 hours. Or you can make just the syrup and refrigerate or freeze it, then mix everything else up right before serving.

Can I make it without sugar?

You can use an artificial sweetener. Or, try boiling the blackberries in half water and half apple or grape juice. This will sweeten them up without adding white sugar.

What about trying a different fruit?

You can use raspberries or strawberries, too. You might want to reduce the sugar a tad since these have more natural sugar.

What’s the best kind of lemon?

Not Meyer lemons, just “regular” ones.

three glasses of blackberry lemonade with black and white straws, lemon wedges, and mint leaves.

More Blackberry Recipes

Printable Recipe

Blackberry Lemonade (From Scratch!)

A from-scratch blackberry sugar syrup mixed with fresh lemon juice and served over ice. A Southern summer favorite. Makes 6 servings.
Print Recipe
3 vintage glassses of blackberry lemonade garnished with lemon slices
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:5 minutes
chilling:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes

Equipment

  • saucepan
  • strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup blackberries frozen is fine
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water for the syrup
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cups water for mixing

Save This Recipe

I’ll send you a link so you can find it later.

You'll join my email list which you will love. And if you don't, unsubscribe in one click. ❤️

Instructions

  • Make the blackberry syrup. Heat the berries, sugar, and ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and heat for 5 minutes until berries break down and a syrup is formed.
  • Strain. Place a strainer over a bowl and strain the syrup through a mesh strainer, pressing down to get as much of the syrup as possible. Cover the berry syrup and chill in the fridge for an hour.
  • Mix and chill. Combine the berry syrup, lemon juice, and 3 cups of water in a pitcher and chill. Serve over ice.

Notes

You will need 8-10 lemons for 1 cup of juice.
Try substituting a triple berry frozen blend, too!

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Servings: 6
Calories: 116kcal
Author: Katie Shaw

Did You Make This?

I would love it if you would leave a review!

Love,

2 Comments

5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating