Blueberry Lavender Lemonade – Refreshing Twist on a Hot Day
I love this Blueberry Lavender Lemonade because not only is it refreshing, but it’s really unique – just like my Hibiscus Iced Tea. The lavender flavor in this drink is light and subtle but gives it that special note in the lemonade that people love, and can’t quite put their finger on.
Keep ’em guessing is what I say!
Make this in the absolute top heat of summer, or when it’s freezing outside and you want a little flavor reminder of beautiful weather. It works year-round.
🌟Ingredient Highlights
- Fresh Blueberries – The star of the show! Fresh blueberries add that gorgeous color and natural sweetness. If fresh ones are out of season (or pricey), frozen will work just as well.
- Lavender – This is what gives the lemonade a delicate, floral touch. Use culinary lavender (fresh or dried), and make sure it’s from a trusted source! If lavender isn’t your thing, swap it out for fresh basil or mint for a different twist.
- Lemon Juice & Zest – (Optional) Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key. The zest adds a bright citrus flavor. Lime juice and zest can work as well.
- Honey – A floral honey (like clover) works best here, keeping the flavors light and smooth. No honey? No problem! Swap it for maple syrup or good old-fashioned cane sugar or even Lilac Sugar which would be absolutely delish!
- Still or Sparkling Water – Keep it classic with still water, or add some fizz with sparkling water when serving. Personally, I’m all about the bubbles so I typically make it with fizzy water. Try using flavored water to add another flavor level to the fresh lemonade.
📌Step-by-Step Directions
This Lavender Blueberry Lemonade looks fancy, but it’s super easy to make.
1️⃣ Prep the Ingredients – zest/juice the lemon and crush the berries.
2️⃣ Cook the Blueberry Base and Infuse it with Lavender and strain.
3️⃣ Sweeten, Adjust Flavors and Chill
Please refer to the printable recipe card below for exact amounts, detailed instructions, and helpful tips to make this recipe perfect every time.
🎀Making It Look Extra Pretty
Honestly, half the fun of a drink like this is how stunning it looks in the glass. Here’s how to take it up a notch:
- Sugared Rim – Lightly dip the rim of your glass in honey, then roll it in sugar for a frosted effect. (Check the recipe card below for exact instructions on how to get the side of the glass frosted as well.) Pop the glasses in the fridge for an hour before serving to set the sugar beautifully.
- Garnishes – A slice of lemon and a few floating blueberries make this drink look restaurant-worthy. If you want to be extra fancy, freeze some blueberries into ice cubes for a stunning touch!
- Glass Choice – Short, wide glasses work best, letting you see that deep purple color and making room for plenty of ice.
❄️Storage & Leftover Ideas
If you have extra, don’t let it go to waste!
Refrigerate
- Store in a sealed jar or pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will mellow over time, but it’ll still be delicious!
Freeze for Later
- I love to pour the leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. I pop a few into sparkling water or piping hot tea for an easy flavor boost!
- Want to get fancy? Blend frozen lemonade cubes with a splash of water for an instant slushie!
🍹Turn It Into a Cocktail
Similar to my Blackberry Lemonade, just by mixing it with sparkling wine, rum, or vodka can make for a refreshing adult drink. I usually use vodka or a light crisp white wine to turn it into a hard lemonade, or if you add some extra blueberries to the glass or pitcher, it’s sort of a sangria vibe.
💙A Moment About Blueberries
Not all blueberries are created equal! Most store-bought blueberries are highbush varieties—plump, juicy, and mildly sweet, making them perfect for drinks like this.
When picking blueberries at the store, look for deep blue or purplish berries with a dusty, matte bloom – that’s a sign of freshness. Avoid any that look wrinkled, mushy, or have reddish hues, as they’re likely underripe.
If you have access to wild blueberries (the smaller, lowbush variety), they pack an intense, tangy flavor and deep color, making them a fantastic choice for a more vibrant lemonade.
Recipe FAQ
Cultivated are grown on farms, (bigger, typically juicier, more mild flavored). Wild blueberries are, of course, grown naturally in the wild (smaller but much more intensely flavored).
Well my dear readers, that’s it for today! I hope that you try this lavender lemonade recipe and let me know what you think of it! Please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating in the recipe card below. Thanks for stopping by The Salty Pot and have an awesome day!
Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
Some drinks just feel fancy, and this blueberry lavender lemonade is one of them! It’s got that perfect mix of sweet, tart, and a light floral note that makes it extra special. Made with fresh blueberries, lemon, and culinary lavender, this drink is naturally beautiful and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons blueberries
- 2 cups water (filtered or sparkling mineral is nice)
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 3/4 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
- 1 lemon (organic if possible)
- ***See comments below for alternatives and notes about the recipe.
Instructions
1. Scald the lemon (if not using organic) and pat dry with a towel. With a zester, remove about a teaspoon of the lemon zest, being careful not to include the bitter white pith. Slice the lemon into crescents to garnish.
2.In a pot, use a potato masher or a fork to mash the blueberries. Add the lemon zest and water.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the mixture over for about two to three minutes. Turn off the heat.
4. Sprinkle the lavender into the hot mixture. Cover the pot with a lid and leave it to cool.
5. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquids out of the blueberry mixture. If you find any small bits go through the strainer, try straining one more time with a coffee filter over the strainer to remove them.
6. Add honey to the drink and adjust to taste. Chill for 30 minutes or so.
7. FOR OPTIONAL GARNISHING: While it's chilling, prepare the glasses for serving. Water down a tablespoon of honey and then brush it over the rims of the glasses. For the decorations in the photos, brush the honey mixture over one 1/4 side of the glass. Pour some sugar onto a flat plate and press the places with the honey mixture so that the sugar sticks securely to the glass. Place the glasses in the refrigerator to chill with the lemonade.
To serve, add ice and blueberry lavender lemonade to the glasses, add a lemon wedge, and serve!
Notes
1. Feel free to replace all the honey with cane sugar, or maple syrup.
2. Add some fresh blueberries to the drink when serving!
3. If you have leftover lemonade, try freezing it in ice cube trays and use it as ice cubes into water or sparkling water for a flavor infusion.
4. Add the lemonade to crispy white wine for an adult cocktail similar to sangria, or, add some vodka (I recommend 1 ounce or less).
5. I like using flavored water that compliments the flavor of the blueberries. So peach, pineapple, or any other berry-flavored sparkling water would be excellent instead of filtered water for a change.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 70Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 1g
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
