Description
This Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade is a refreshing and vibrant summer beverage bursting with the bright flavors of fresh raspberries and zesty lemon juice, balanced with sweetness and fizzy sparkling water. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh mint, lemon slices, and raspberries, it’s an easy-to-make drink that delights at picnics, barbecues, or whenever you need a cool, revitalizing sip.
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 fresh raspberries
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Make 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 the raspberries break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- Strain Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat once the mixture bubbles and raspberries are soft. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the raspberries with a spoon to extract maximum liquid and remove seeds.
- Cool Syrup: Allow the raspberry syrup to cool to room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to speed up the process.
- Prepare Lemon Juice: Roll lemons on the countertop with your palm to loosen the juices. Cut in half and juice them using a citrus juicer or reamer, removing seeds. Measure out 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, stir together the cooled raspberry syrup and fresh lemon juice until well combined.
- Add Sparkling Water: Gently pour 4 cups of chilled sparkling water into the pitcher, stirring carefully to preserve carbonation.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the sparkling raspberry lemonade to about three-quarters full, and garnish each glass with fresh raspberries, a lemon slice, and a sprig of fresh mint.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately for the freshest, most refreshing experience.
Notes
- For a less sweet version, adjust the sugar amount in the syrup to taste.
- You can substitute sparkling water with club soda or seltzer if preferred.
- To make it a cocktail, consider adding a splash of vodka or gin.
- Make sure to strain the raspberry syrup thoroughly to avoid seeds in the lemonade.
- Keep the sparkling water chilled until just before serving to maintain fizz.
