Blueberry Simple Syrup
Whether you are making a refreshing blueberry simple syrup for nonalcoholic beverages, cocktails or to pour over ice cream, this fresh blueberry syrup made with lemon is incredibly tasty and so easy to make.
Do you love blueberries as much as I do?
They’re one of my favorite fruits, especially in the summer when I can pick them straight off the blueberry bushes in my backyard. And since I get so many of them, I’m always looking for ways to use them.
Which is where this blueberry simple syrup recipe comes in handy.
Summer, warm air, and fresh blueberries create the ultimate combination for this simple syrup that I use to make super tasty cocktails like these blueberry lemonade mimosas. They’re perfect for a 4th of July party!
But you can also mix it with lemonade to create an extra special drink. Or pour it over ice cream for a delightful (and easy) summer dessert.
Once you’ve had this homemade version, you’ll never want the store-bought kind again.
Ingredients
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For this super easy syrup for drinks, you just need a handful of simple ingredients. That’s it!
Lemon – You will want one whole lemon for this recipe. If you happen to have an extra one lying around, then this recipe is perfect to use it up!
Water – Water is used for dissolving the sugar and creating the syrup. Be sure to measure it properly!
Sugar – Granulated sugar is used to create a simple syrup. Some people say you can substitute honey or maple syrup, but I don’t think they taste as good.
Blueberries – Fresh blueberries are best, but frozen berries will work in a pinch (although the flavors may be slightly different).
Supplies Needed
- Lemon grater
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Saucepan
- Container for storing the blueberry simple syrup
- Spoon for stirring
- Ice cubes
How To Make Blueberry Simple Syrup
First, you’ll want to zest the lemon. Set aside.
In a saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
Next, cook over medium heat on the stove, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved and the water looks clear.
Add 2 cups of fresh blueberries and the lemon zest.
Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until the berries split, and get lighter in color. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove the cooked blueberry mixture from the heat allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This step isn’t completely necessary, but the steam coming off the hot berries can burn your hands, so this just makes it easier to work with.
Next, strain the syrup through a sieve into a glass bowl.
You may need to rotate the sieve around because the pulp from the berries will clog up the mesh and the juice won’t drain through.
Pushing the berry pulp back with a spoon gives the juice more room to flow through.
Finally, store the syrup in a pitcher or a container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Glass works best since the blueberries will stain plastic.
Substitutions
You can substitute frozen blueberries for fresh berries if you do not have them. However, I do think the fresh berries taste the best in this recipe!
FAQS
Here are some commonly asked questions about blueberry simple syrup.
What to do with blueberry simple syrup?
Blueberry simple syrup is often used for cocktails (like blueberry lemonade mimosas or blueberry mojitos). But it also tastes delicious served over ice cream or mixed with other drinks like tea, lemonade, or sparkling water. (Mix one to two tablespoons of syrup per glass of tea or lemonade, depending on how sweet you would like for it to be).
How long does blueberry simple syrup last?
This recipe lasts up to one month in the refrigerator. The sugar acts as a preservative so it keeps the blueberry juice from going bad.
Can you freeze blueberry simple syrup?
Yes, freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months.
Is simple sugar the same as liquid sugar?
Basically, yes! The sugar is dissolved in water so it becomes a “liquid sugar”.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Blueberry Lemonade Mimosas
- Strawberry Mimosa Recipe
- Berries and Lime Sangria
- Homemade Lemonade
- Strawberry Daiquiri Jello Shots
Blueberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Equipment
- grater
- measuring cups
- saucepan
- Sieve
- glass bowl
- glass jar with a lid
Instructions
- Use a grater to get the zest from one lemon (about 1 teaspoon). Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar.
- Cook over medium heat on the stove, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved and the water looks clear (a minute or two).
- Add 2 cups of fresh blueberries and the lemon zest.
- Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries split open (5 to 10 minutes).
- Remove the blueberry mixture from the heat and let cool (10 to 15 minutes).
- Strain the syrup through a sieve into a glass bowl. Then transfer into a glass jar with a lid.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Blueberry simple syrup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Or store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Glass containers work best since blueberries will stain plastic
- Cooling before straining isn’t absolutely necessary, but makes it less likely that you’ll get burned by the steam
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Have comments or questions about our blueberry simple syrup recipe? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on April 9, 2021 but was updated with new content on March 19, 2024.