Fresh Raspberry Lemonade

Fresh raspberry lemonade elevates the classic lemonade experience by combining tart lemons with sweet, vibrant raspberries to create a refreshing drink that’s both visually stunning and deliciously satisfying.

This ruby-red beverage offers the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors while providing natural antioxidants and vitamin C.

Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, planning a picnic, or simply craving a homemade alternative to store-bought drinks, fresh raspberry lemonade delivers exceptional taste with simple ingredients.

How to Make Fresh Raspberry Lemonade

Ingredients

For Basic Recipe (Serves 6-8):

• 1 cup fresh raspberries (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 large lemons)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups cold water
• 2 cups ice cubes
• Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
• Lemon slices for garnish

For Simple Syrup Alternative:

• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing Raspberry Puree (5 minutes):

1. Rinse fresh raspberries gently under cool water
2. Place raspberries in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl
3. Using a wooden spoon, press raspberries through sieve to create smooth puree
4. Discard seeds and pulp, reserving the smooth raspberry juice
5. You should have approximately 1/3 cup of raspberry puree

Making Fresh Lemon Juice (10 minutes):

1. Roll lemons on counter while pressing firmly to release juices
2. Cut lemons in half and juice using a citrus juicer or reamer
3. Strain juice through fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds
4. Fresh juice provides superior flavor compared to bottled alternatives

Creating Simple Syrup (Optional – 5 minutes):

1. Combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar completely dissolves
3. Cool completely before using
4. This method ensures sugar dissolves completely for smooth texture

Assembling the Lemonade (3 minutes):

1. In large pitcher, combine raspberry puree and lemon juice
2. Add sugar (or cooled simple syrup) and stir vigorously
3. Add cold water and stir until well combined
4. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired
5. Add ice cubes just before serving

Serving (2 minutes):

1. Fill glasses with fresh ice
2. Pour lemonade over ice, stirring gently
3. Garnish with fresh raspberries, lemon slices, and mint sprigs
4. Serve immediately for best flavor and appearance

Conclusion

Fresh raspberry lemonade transforms simple ingredients into sophisticated, restaurant-quality beverages that impress guests while satisfying family preferences. The combination of tart lemons and sweet raspberries creates balanced flavors that appeal to all ages, while natural ingredients provide health benefits absent from commercial alternatives. Master this basic technique, then experiment with variations to create signature beverages perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant summer entertaining.

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Jennifer Glover

I’m Jennifer, the writer, recipe developer and photographer behind this site. I love food! I dream in food! I started CGC in October of 2011 as a way to catalog the constant thoughts of food that float through my mind. The best part of my day is dancing around my kitchen to music, singing my lungs out, while creating and photographing dishes inspired from years of travel, mixed with good ole southern culture to share with you. Thanks for reading and I hope you keep coming back for more recipes, travel bits and a dash of this and that... Cheers!

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