Blueberry Simple Syrup

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

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

1. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stir occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
   
2. Add in the blueberries.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.

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

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.