Mixed Berry Mint Lemonade
Naturally sweetened and vegan Mixed Berry Mint Lemonade is the perfect drink to make for an outdoor soiree or picnic! Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are muddled with fresh mint, then mixed into the lemon juice, water and agave nectar base to create this crisp and delicious lemonade!
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Earth Day and Arbor Day are just around the corner. To celebrate, I put together a vegetarian picnic for the great outdoors. Because before it gets too hot and everyone turns into a sweaty mess, you (I) want to enjoy some time outdoors with good food and company.
We’re starting off with Mixed Berry Mint Lemonade. This refreshing, naturally-sweetened drink is perfect for picnics and all kinds of warm weather gatherings.
Why I love this recipe:
It is no surprise that I love lemonade, given the amount of lemonade recipes I have on this website.
This mixed berry mint lemonade is tart, slightly sweet, and it goes down so smoothly.
It’s a little different than some of my other lemonade recipes because it’s naturally sweetened with agave nectar instead of cane or white sugar.
We also throw in some fresh or frozen berries… as well as harvest some fresh mint from your backyard (you know, the stuff that grows like a weed and won’t quit!) to give it a bright herbal note that makes it feel special without any fuss.
The combination is spectacular and makes for a special drink!
You can make this the night before or the morning of your picnic and serve it chilled. Your guests will never know it’s sweetened with agave. They’ll just know it tastes really delicious and wonderfully refreshing.
More lemonade recipes to try: Peach Lemonade | Lavender Lemonade | Brown Sugar Lemonade | Fresh Squeezed Lemonade | Blueberry Lemonade
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Citrus juicer or citrus reamer
- Liquid measuring cup
- Fine mesh strainer
- Large pitcher
Here is what you need to get from the store to make this lemonade, too:
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
- Lemons — please, for the love of everything that is good and right in this world, purchase lemons and squeeze them yourself. The juice will taste so much better and be significantly less acidic and off-putting. You can also purchase pre-squeezed or freshly squeezed lemon juice in the refrigerated section of your grocery store but proceed with caution. I have noticed that the one at my local grocery does not taste very good.
- Water — this is an essential ingredient in lemonade and the sugar syrup. You do not need to use fancy water for the lemonade, though you can swap tap water for sparkling if you prefer.
- Frozen mixed berries — or a fresh mix of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries for your lemonade. If you’re using the frozen ones, get them out of the freezer and put them in the refrigerator so they can defrost. They will muddle better if they’re defrosted and release the most gorgeous juices.
- Fresh mint leaves — these provide the mint flavor to the lemonade. Make sure to have extra for garnish. You’ll need a big handful. Be sure to remove the stems.
- Agave nectar — instead of using a simple syrup or a granulated sugar mixture here, we use agave nectar to sweeten the lemonade. I love the flavor that it provides. It also mixes in pretty easily without issue. You could swap this with a honey simple syrup if you prefer that.
How to make Berry Mint Lemonade
Muddle the berries and mint together in a small bowl. Set aside. (While you could also blend these together in a blender or food processor, I prefer to muddle to still have those chunks of berry.)
Juice the lemons. Use your favorite tool to do this. I personally like to use a citrus juicer over a liquid measuring cup with a fine mesh sieve fitted above it to catch any pulp.
Make the lemonade. Pour the muddled berry-mint mixture into a tall pitcher. Measure in the fresh lemon juice and water. And measure in the agave nectar, too.
Stir to combine, then chill and serve over ice cubes in tall glasses.
You may choose to strain the berry mixture out of the lemonade as you pour it into the glasses to discard solids, or just pour all of it into the glasses and let there be some pieces of berry in there. Either way, the drink is a gorgeous deep purple color.
how to store:
Store in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to a week. The berries and mint will soften during that time, so you might have to strain them out.
Frequently Asked Questions
I used frozen mixed berries that included blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, but you can use a different mix with berries that you like that includes strawberries, or you can use a mixture of fresh berries.
The frozen berries, to me, are actually perfect for this, since you don’t have to worry about them going bad. They also help chill the lemonade a little bit since we let them defrost before muddling.
Make it up to 24 hours in advance or the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight. That way it’ll be nice and crisp and delicious for your guests, but the berries and mint leaves won’t be a soggy mess before serving.
No. Fresh mint is best for brightness and flavor because it gives you that signature herbaceous punch.
Absolutely! This recipe scales easily. Just multiply all the ingredients by however many servings you need.
Quick tips and tricks for the best Mixed Berry Lemonade
Adjust the sweetness to your tastebuds. Start with less agave nectar and add more as needed. Some people like tart lemonade, while others prefer it sweeter, so taste as you go to ensure it’s the perfect sweetness for you.
Chill the pitcher. Pop the pitcher in the fridge before serving so that the lemonade stays cold for longer.
Don’t add ice! That will water down the lemonade.
Garnish with fresh mint and berries. Add a sprig of fresh mint and a couple of berries on top of each glass for the prettiest presentation.
When to share…
- PICNIC: The obvious choice — refreshing, easy to transport and perfect for the great outdoors.
- BBQ OR BACKYARD GATHERING: This refreshing non-alcoholic option complements grilled food without being heavy.
- SPRING/SUMMER SHOWER: Not only is it light and pretty, but it pairs well with lighter appetizers and desserts and is a stunning color, too!
Here’s how you can make this naturally sweetened lemonade at home…
Mixed Berry Mint Lemonade
EQUIPMENT
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Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen mixed berries blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, defrosted
- 13 mint leaves
- ¾ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ½ cup cold water
- 5 tablespoons agave nectar
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Instructions
- In a bowl, muddle the ½ cup frozen mixed berries and 13 mint leaves.
- Transfer the berry and mint mixture to a pitcher.
- Measure in ¾ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice, 3 ½ cup cold water and 5 tablespoons agave nectar.
- Stir until combined.
- Chill for 1 hour, stir again, then enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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