Have you ever had one of those days where all you crave is a fruity, vibrant drink that tastes as good as it looks? That’s exactly how I felt when I decided to make this raspberry lemonade.
After squeezing those lemons and blending fresh raspberries, I ended up with the perfect balance of sweet and tart in a glass.
The bright pink color was so inviting, and when garnished with mint and fresh raspberries, it felt like a treat made for a summer afternoon. If you’re a fan of unique lemonade recipes, you could also enjoy something like blue lemonade for a fun and colorful twist.
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from about 8-12 lemons)
- ½ pound (8 oz) fresh raspberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 cups water
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh mint for serving
Note: This recipe makes about 1¾ quarts, serving approximately 7 people.
Time Required
You’ll need about 15 minutes from start to finish. This includes prepping the ingredients and blending the lemonade. With this recipe, you can make enough to serve 7 cups, ideal for family gatherings or a relaxing afternoon treat.
Equipment You Need
- Blender – To purée the raspberries and lemon juice smoothly.
- Fine sieve – For straining out the raspberry seeds, giving you a smooth lemonade texture.
- Bowl – To mix the lemonade and combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Juicer – To extract fresh lemon juice with ease.
- Soup ladle – Helps push the raspberry purée through the sieve quickly.
- Pitcher – For chilling and serving the finished lemonade.
How to Make Raspberry Lemonade?
Making raspberry lemonade is as fun as it is simple. You’ll love how refreshing and customizable it is. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have the freshest homemade lemonade in no time.
Step 1: Purée the Raspberries
To start, combine your fresh raspberries with ½ cup of the squeezed lemon juice in a blender. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth. The sweet-tart aroma will instantly make your kitchen smell amazing. Strain this purée through a fine sieve into a bowl to remove any seeds. Use a soup ladle to press the mixture through for the quickest results. Don’t skip this step if you love a silky-smooth texture without the crunch of seeds.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Add the remainder of your lemon juice into the bowl along with the purée. Pour in 5 cups of water and sprinkle in the sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely. At this stage, you can taste the lemonade and adjust it to your liking. For another refreshing variation, you may enjoy lavender lemonade, which brings a uniquely subtle floral flavor perfect for warmer days.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
Transfer the mixture into a large pitcher and refrigerate until it’s nice and cold. For serving, fill your glasses with ice and pour in the raspberry lemonade. Garnish with lemon wedges, a sprig of fresh mint, and a few extra raspberries for a drink that’s as attractive as it is delicious. Keep in mind that the ice will slightly dilute the lemonade, so you might want to keep it a tad more concentrated initially.
Nutritional Information
Here’s quick nutritional info for a single cup of this delightful raspberry lemonade:
- Calories: 141
- Protein: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fat: 0 g
It’s a refreshing treat that manages to remain light and hydrating, making it perfect for hot days.
Tips for Making the Perfect Raspberry Lemonade
After making this recipe a few times, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks to make it even better. Here’s what worked for me:
- Use fresh lemons and raspberries. The flavor of freshly squeezed juice and seasonal raspberries is unbeatable compared to bottled or frozen alternatives.
- Adjust sugar to your taste. Everyone’s taste buds are different. Start with 1 cup of sugar and gradually add more if needed.
- Consider a straining shortcut. If you don’t mind a bit of texture in your lemonade, skip straining the raspberries. Personally, I love the smooth finish that straining gives, but it’s entirely optional.
- Chill for better flavor. The lemonade tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes as the flavors meld and develop a harmonious balance.
- Add a fizzy twist. For a fun variation, replace half of the water with sparkling water just before serving. You’ll get a refreshing fizz your guests will love.
- Go boozy for adults. A splash of vodka or tequila turns this into a party-ready cocktail.
- Brighten up the presentation. I like to garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves, lemon wheels, and whole raspberries for an extra pop of color.
Raspberry lemonade is a versatile recipe with endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or just enjoying it alone on a sunny day, this drink never fails to impress. If you’re looking to explore more fruity lemonade flavors, give strawberry lemonade a try for its lovely sweetness and vibrancy. Once you try it, you might find yourself making batch after batch!
Raspberry Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice from about 8-12 lemons
- ½ pound 8 oz fresh raspberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 cups water
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh mint for serving
Instructions
- To start, combine your fresh raspberries with ½ cup of the squeezed lemon juice in a blender. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth. The sweet-tart aroma will instantly make your kitchen smell amazing. Strain this purée through a fine sieve into a bowl to remove any seeds. Use a soup ladle to press the mixture through for the quickest results. Don’t skip this step if you love a silky-smooth texture without the crunch of seeds.
- Add the remainder of your lemon juice into the bowl along with the purée. Pour in 5 cups of water and sprinkle in the sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely. At this stage, you can taste the lemonade and adjust it to your liking. For another refreshing variation, you may enjoy lavender lemonade, which brings a uniquely subtle floral flavor perfect for warmer days.
- Transfer the mixture into a large pitcher and refrigerate until it’s nice and cold. For serving, fill your glasses with ice and pour in the raspberry lemonade. Garnish with lemon wedges, a sprig of fresh mint, and a few extra raspberries for a drink that’s as attractive as it is delicious. Keep in mind that the ice will slightly dilute the lemonade, so you might want to keep it a tad more concentrated initially.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons and raspberries. The flavor of freshly squeezed juice and seasonal raspberries is unbeatable compared to bottled or frozen alternatives.
- Adjust sugar to your taste. Everyone’s taste buds are different. Start with 1 cup of sugar and gradually add more if needed.
- Consider a straining shortcut. If you don’t mind a bit of texture in your lemonade, skip straining the raspberries. Personally, I love the smooth finish that straining gives, but it’s entirely optional.
