I wasn’t planning on posting any more recipes while on holiday. But the weather in Greece – usually so reliably sunny I don’t think they bother with forecasts – has turned rainy the past couple of days. And not just a bit of a drizzle, which is the semi-permanent state of affairs in the UK, but honest to goodness rain.
So while I wait for the sky to clear to venture outside again I thought I would post this recipe for bottled sunshine instead. Pink lemonade happens to be my daughter Anya’s favourite drink in the whole wide world (everything is the BEST THING EVER when you are 9) so she was rather excited when I said I would make her some.
Homemade raspberry lemonade is very easy to make and tastes about a billion times better that the store-bought versions. This would be my drink of choice to serve at a party or barbecue: thirst quenching, refreshing and easy to to turn into a cocktail for the adults with the addition of gin or vodka.
The trick is to have the raspberry syrup prepared in advance (I had some leftover from the Eton Mess Cake) and to juice only as many lemons as you need fresh on the day. The lemonade can be mixed to your taste – add a little more syrup if you prefer it sweet or more lemon juice if you like it really tart and lemony.
The guidelines for making the raspberry syrup are quite loose. The less water you add the more concentrated the flavour – remember you will be diluting the syrup anyway with water or soda.
I prefer to use frozen raspberries to make it as they are a lot cheaper than the fresh ones and easier to work with. You could use other berries or mixed berries to make different flavour syrups – blackberries and blueberries work especially well.
The ratio that worked for me was 300ml (10fl oz) of raspberry syrup plus 150ml (5fl oz) fresh lemon juice diluted with 1lt bottle of chilled soda water or sparkling mineral water such as Perrier.
Adding plenty of fresh ice keeps the drink chilled but will dilute it further as it melts so keep that in mind and add the ice to the glasses and not the jug if it is a particularly hot day. The more ice you add, the less it melts – a bit of a paradox but totally true!
You can buy the 8lt Kilner Drinks Dispenser* used in the photos from Amazon (affiliate link).
- 350 g | 12.3oz frozen raspberries
- 225 g | 8oz | 1 cup caster sugar
- 500 ml | 2 cups water use half the quantity for more concentrated syrup
- 300 ml | 10fl oz raspberry syrup
- 150 ml | 5fl oz fresh lemon juice about 4 large lemons
- 1 litre chilled soda water
For the syrup: bring the frozen raspberries, sugar and water to the boil in a medium pot and simmer for 30 minutes until the syrup is slightly viscous.
Let the syrup cool, then strain into a suitable container. Chill completely before using. The cooked raspberries can be added to yoghurt or porridge or used as cake filling.
- Juice the lemons and strain the juice through a fine mesh to get rid of any pulp.
Combine the raspberry syrup and lemon juice in a large jug or drinks dispenser.
Dilute with chilled water or soda and add plenty of fresh ice to keep cool.
Life Loving says
I've never had raspberry lemonade, but I'm always on the look out for new mocktail recipes. This looks really delicious and easy to make as well.
Sally @ Life Loving
Corina says
It looks really refreshing. I love the idea of the raspberries with the lemonade. It makes it a lovely colour too!
Sarah Montgomery says
I was just thinking about homemade lemonade this morning! Such a vibrant colour, gorgeous!
Roz Goodgame TheFoodieCoupleBlog says
Lovely recipe and photos. I love making lemonade at home so will try out this recipe!
Ceri Jones says
This looks lovely. I've tried a strawberry lemonade before, but since I much prefer raspberries reckon this is way better! Hope the sun comes out soon and you can get back to enjoying your holidays!
Ruby says
What a stunning colour, this looks so refreshing. 🙂
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen says
Such an incredible colour, I have made regular lemonade but never tried this! Fab photography too, you always make drinks look amazing! x
Hannah Hossack-lodge says
This looks so delicious and refreshing,I will definitely be giving it a try; and I really like the photos too 🙂 x
Angela Field says
I've never actually had Raspberry Lemonade, but this looks so fresh and vibrant I'm definitely going to give it a try. Fantastic photos Lucy.
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
What a beautiful colour and so much nicer I agree than shop-bought!
We returned from Greece on Tuesday…… The weekend was quite a deluge where we were too! But at least the rain was warmish and the sun came back out and the thunder and lightening was spectacular and entertaining! Give me Greek rain over British any day….
Enjoy the rest of your break x