Blueberry Simple Syrup is a great way to sweeten lemonade, cocktails, and mocktails while adding some flavor and zing to them. It's Also great for making your own soda.
My Blueberry Simple Syrup recipe is just that – simple! It combines fresh blueberries, a bit of your sweetener of choice, and water. That’s it! It comes together in no time and I personally can’t get enough of it.
I love blueberries. Between the always-classic blueberry pie, this peach and blueberry crisp, blueberry ice cream, and this yummy broccoli blueberry salad, I just can't get enough of them!
As soon as they are in season, I buy them in bulk and freeze them. But I don't freeze them all, we eat them by the handful too!
You'll find them in peak season during July & August at the local farmer’s market, and can typically find them year round at the grocery store. But they are best when in season. There’s just something so refreshing about fresh fruit, isn’t there?
Another way I like to use blueberries in the kitchen is with this blueberry simple syrup recipe. Homemade simple syrup is kind of ‘my jam’ – I love adding it to drinks like Bluberry Lemonade or as a fun twist in my favorite mocktails (or cocktails).
You can also add a bit to sparkling water (I'm a HUGE fan of my soda stream) or tonic water to create your very own homemade soda. The possibilities are endless!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Simple and inexpensive to make.
- Only three ingredients!
- Great addition to cocktails & Mocktails.
Key Ingredients
- Blueberries -The best time to find blueberries in bulk is during the summer months. That's when you'll have peak flavor. Alternatively, you can also use frozen for this recipe.
- Sugar - The easiest way to make simple syrup is to use sugar. However, you can use honey, agave nectar, or even a Stevia Based Sweetener like Swerve.
- Water - Homemade simple syrup is basically sugar and water. Therefore, it is the base for the syrup itself.
How to Make Blueberry Simple Syrup
This is an overview of the instructions, be sure to see the recipe card for all the details.
- Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stir occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
- Add in the blueberries.
- Increase the heat up to medium, until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes. Turn the heat down if it starts boiling rapidly.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer placed over a bowl to strain out the syrup. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently press the blueberries into the strainer and get all of the yummy juices out. Chill.
Expert Tips
- You can use different berries to make different syrup flavors. Raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries are delicious.
- A fine mesh strainer is needed to strain the blueberries in. This process drains all of the juices into the syrup container.
- If you substitute traditional sugar with a stevia based product, make sure you check a conversion chart, as they don't all measure equally. Swerve measures exactly like sugar, Truvia is twice as sweet as sugar.
- Some sweeteners have a tendency to crystallize in the fridge. If you're concerned about this, I recommend Allulose, that one does not.
- Honey also measures equal to sugar and adds another layer of flavor, so good! Plus it's a little better for you than white sugar.
More Flavor Ideas
Simple syrup can be infused with almost any flavor. Here are some other ones to try:
- Vanilla- use a vanilla bean if you can.
- Mint- use fresh mint leaves. This is great for Mojitos or lemonade.
- Cinnamon- use whole cinnamon sticks.
- Rosemary, Basil or thyme- again, use the fresh herbs here. These are a beautiful addition to lemonade. I especially like Basil with Strawberry Lemonade.
- Ginger- use slices of fresh ginger root. Adds a hint of bite-- mmm!
With these flavors, there's no need to bring to a boil. Just melt the sugar in the water over low heat, and then turn off the heat, add the add-ins, and allow them to sit for 15-20 minutes to infuse.
Remove the add-ins, and chill the syrups. Storing information is below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When stored in an airtight container, traditional blueberry simple syrup made with sugar can last for up to 1 month in the refrigerator. If you used a sugar substitute, it will last a week or two.
Absolutely! The best way to freeze it is in an ice cube tray. It will keep for 2-3 months. To use them, either thaw the number of cubes first and add it to your drink, or add it as an ice cube that will sweeten and infuse as it melts. Also looks very pretty.
Storing and Freezing
Homemade simple syrups should always be stored in the fridge.
Once your homemade simple syrup has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and place in the refrigerator. It will keep for about 1 month.
As mentioned above, the best way to freeze Blueberry Simple Syrup is in cubes. I prefer silicone ice cube trays, they are easier to work with. You can also find them in different shapes which is fun for entertaining.
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📋 Recipe
Blueberry Simple Syrup
Equipment
- small sauce pan
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Bowl to strain into.
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar or honey
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the water and sugar stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved.
- Add the blueberries, bring the heat up to medium until the blueberries are at a gentle simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes. If they start to boil rapidly, turn the heat down.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer placed over a bowl to strain out the syrup
- Set aside to cool.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
- Add to lemonade, cocktails or mocktails.
Notes
- You can use different berries to make different syrup flavors. Raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries are delicious. You can also use herbs or vanilla (see post for ideas).
- A fine mesh strainer is needed to strain the blueberries in. This process drains all of the juices into the syrup container, a regular strainer's holes are too big.
- If you substitute traditional sugar with a stevia based product, make sure you check a conversion chart, as they don't all measure equally. Swerve measures exactly like sugar, Truvia is twice as sweet as sugar.
- Some sweeteners have a tendency to crystallize in the fridge. If you're concerned about this, I recommend Allulose, that one does not.
- Honey also measures equal to sugar and adds another layer of flavor, so good! Plus it's a little better for you than white sugar.
Nutrition
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