Blues Lemonade

Ingredients

• 450 g (3 cups)blueberries
• 6lemons
• 60 ml (¼ cup)raw honey
• 2.1 litres (9 cups)Waiakea water

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash the fruit

   Wash all the fruit thoroughly.

2. 2

   Peel the lemons

   Peel the lemons.

3. 3

   Juice the fruit

   Juice the blueberries first, followed by the lemons.

4. 4

   Pour into a pitcher

   Transfer the juice to a pitcher.

5. 5

   Mix the lemonade

   Add the water and honey, then stir until completely mixed.

6. 6

   Chill before serving

   Chill for 40 minutes.

What is Blues Lemonade?

This is a fruit-juice drink that combines blueberries and lemon with water and honey. It takes the familiar citrus-led idea of lemonade and gives it a berry flavour and colour.

The method is straightforward: juice the fruit, dilute it in a pitcher and chill. Juicing the blueberries before the lemons keeps the sequence simple and combines both juices in one vessel.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 58 calories, 1g protein, 16g carbs, 1g fat.

The blueberries and honey contribute most of the carbohydrate, while lemon juice adds some as well. This drink contains little protein, and the recipe's nutrition listing reports a small amount of fat; serve it alongside a meal with a protein-rich food and some vegetables for a more balanced plate.

Choosing and preparing the fruit

Blueberries: Rinse them thoroughly and remove any leaves or damaged berries before juicing. Fresh, ripe fruit is easiest to work with.

Lemons: Wash them before peeling, then juice them after the blueberries. The recipe calls for six lemons, so the finished drink gets its citrus character from their juice.

Getting the honey mixed in

Honey: Add it to the juice and water, then stir until it is fully mixed through. Honey can settle or cling to the pitcher if it is not stirred in well.

If the honey is thick, give the drink an extra thorough stir rather than assuming it has dissolved. The recipe does not specify heating or blending.

Balancing the flavour

Citrus and berries: Lemon brings a sharp note while blueberry juice gives the drink its fruity base. Water dilutes the juices, and honey adds sweetness.

Stir the pitcher again before pouring, especially after chilling. This helps distribute the honey and fruit juices evenly.

Chilling and serving

Chill time: Leave the mixed lemonade in the fridge for 40 minutes before serving. This gives it time to become properly cold.

Serve: Pour it into glasses from the pitcher and stir before serving. It works well as a refreshing drink alongside a meal or snack.

Making the pitcher ahead

The recipe lists 14 minutes as the total time, but also calls for 40 minutes of chilling. Allow at least that additional chill time before serving.

Keep the pitcher covered while it chills. Give the lemonade another stir just before pouring.

Recipe notes & tips

• Wash the blueberries and lemons thoroughly before preparing them.
• Juice the blueberries before the lemons, as directed.
• Stir until the honey is fully mixed through the pitcher.
• Allow the full 40 minutes of chilling before serving.
• Stir the drink again after chilling to redistribute the ingredients.

Variations

• Less sweet: Reduce the honey to make the drink less sweet.
• More honey: Add extra honey if you prefer a sweeter lemonade.
• Stronger citrus: Add more lemon juice for a sharper flavour.
• More diluted: Add extra water for a milder drink.
• Small batch: Scale all four ingredients down in the same proportion.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the wash: Rinse all the fruit thoroughly before peeling or juicing.
• Juicing out of order: Juice the blueberries first, then the lemons.
• Honey settling: Stir thoroughly until the honey is completely mixed in.
• Serving too soon: Chill the pitcher for 40 minutes before serving.
• Pouring without stirring: Stir the lemonade again after chilling to distribute it evenly.

How to store

Cover and refrigerate any leftover lemonade, and use it within 2 days for the freshest flavour. Stir before serving; no reheating is needed.

Frequently asked questions