Description
This Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade is a perfect refreshing drink for warm summer days, combining a sweet and tangy raspberry syrup with freshly squeezed lemon juice and sparkling water for a fizzy, flavorful beverage. Garnished with fresh mint, raspberries, and lemon slices, it’s both visually appealing and delicious, ideal for cooling down or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Raspberry Syrup
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Lemonade
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 4 cups sparkling water, chilled
- Ice cubes
Garnish
- Fresh mint leaves
- Additional raspberries
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Make the raspberry syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup fresh raspberries and 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves and raspberries soften and start to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- Strain the syrup: Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or measuring cup, pressing with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, leaving seeds behind.
- Cool the syrup: Let the raspberry syrup cool to room temperature. To speed cooling, place it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare the lemon juice: Roll lemons on the countertop to release juices, then cut in half and use a citrus juicer to extract juice, removing any seeds. Measure 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Combine syrup and lemon juice: In a large pitcher, mix the cooled raspberry syrup with the fresh lemon juice, stirring well to combine.
- Add sparkling water: Pour 4 cups of chilled sparkling water into the pitcher and gently stir to combine, careful not to lose carbonation.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the sparkling raspberry lemonade over the ice about three-quarters full.
- Garnish and enjoy: Garnish each glass with fresh raspberries, lemon slices, and sprigs of mint. Serve immediately for best flavor and fizz.
Notes
- For a less sweet drink, adjust sugar to taste when making the raspberry syrup.
- Using fresh raspberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice greatly enhances the flavor.
- You can substitute granulated sugar with honey or agave syrup, but adjust quantity to taste.
- Make sure the sparkling water is well chilled to maintain carbonation longer.
- Leftover raspberry syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and used for other beverages or desserts.
- For a non-fizzy version, substitute sparkling water with cold still water or iced tea.
- For an adult version, add a splash of vodka or gin to each glass.
