Haskap berry lemonade is one of my favorite summer drinks. The sweetness of the simple syrup is a delicious compliment to the tart haskap berries and fresh lemon juice. Get my recipe below!
Listen, I love cooking and baking. But I don’t always love reading long-winded recipes. In fact, little irks me more than trying to find a recipe quickly but having to dig through tons of photos and read stories first. So here at Dahlias & Day Trips, we’re switching things up. You’ll find my recipe directly below. And, if you want more detailed info, you can hop down to the body of this post by clicking here.
Haskap berry lemonade recipe
Equipment
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup Simple syrup
- 6 cups Water
- 1 handful Fresh or frozen haskap berries
Instructions
- Either prepare your simple syrup or use store-bought syrup (I'll share my recipe for homemade below)
- Juice lemons and strain out the seeds (see below for store-bought conversion)
- Slowly combine lemon juice and simple syrup in a pitcher. Mix well!
- Add water and mix well
- For best results, chill for a minimum of one hour before serving
- Serve over ice with a handful of fresh or frozen haskap berries
How to store haskap lemonade
Fresh lemonade can be stored in the fridge for up to one week in a sealed container. For best results, add the haskap berries in right before serving to ensure freshness.
For an even stronger berry flavor, you can make haskap berry ice cubes by pressing fresh berries into an ice cube tray, topping with water (or lemonade!) and freezing for at least one hour.
Adjusting the sweetness
To be honest, when I make this recipe I cut the simple syrup significantly. I prefer a stronger berry/lemon flavor. My suggestion here is to start with less simple syrup, prepare it fully, taste test it, then add more syrup to taste!
Making it boozy
Haskap berry lemonade itself is a delicious thirst quencher on a hot day… But I would be lying if I said I’ve never made it boozy! Add 1oz of either gin or vodka to your fresh lemonade (per glass). I usually add some fresh mint when I make it into a cocktail, too.
To make the entire pitcher into a haskap berry cocktail, add 1-2 cups of your desired liquor. Yes, 1-2 cups is a big difference – But start with 1 and add more to taste. You can add booze but you can’t take it out!
Simple syrup recipe
Simple syrup is really easy to make. Follow the steps below to make a basic simple syrup.
Simple syrup ingredients
- 1 part white sugar
- 1 part water
*Note: I usually make 2 cups at a time, so 2 cups sugar to 2 cups water.
Simple syrup steps
- Combine the ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly
- Keep stirring until all of the sugar dissolves
- Remove from heat and let cool
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge
*Simple syrup lasts about one month when refrigerated in a sealed container.
Can I use infused simple syrup?
Yes! In fact, I recommend it! With this recipe my favorite type of infused syrups to use are rose simple syrup or lavender simple syrup. I’ll be sharing recipes soon, so keep your eyes out for those!
What are haskap berries?
Haskap berries are a type of superfruit from the honeysuckle family. They grow in North America, but originated from Russia and Japan.
Learn more about the plant in this article by Rosy Farms.
According to Montana State University, these fruits are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, with even higher amounts than blueberries. Growing wise, they are a super hardy plant, able to withstand harsh Canadian winters. They are grown in Zone 2.
What does haskap taste like?
Haskap berries have a distinct (and delicious) tangy flavor. They are slightly sweet and often a little bit sour – Making them excellently versatile for baking with. They are also exceptional in mixed-berry recipes, pairing well with blackberries, blueberries, and my favorite, thimbleberries.
Where and when to get haskap berries?
Here in the beautiful Okanagan region of British Columbia, we’re lucky to have an abundance of fresh produce. One of the berries that I’ve seen gain popularity in recent years is the haskap berry, thanks to its unique taste and versatility for baking.
I was super fortunate to have a friend invite me to go berry picking in a local farmer’s garden. But you can also find these at Farmer’s Markets in the area. U-Pick may be available at local farms, too, so call around and see what’s available in mid to late June through to July. You can also post in local garden groups or check social media like the Facebook marketplace to find local sellers.
What else can I make with haskap berries?
These little berries are one of my favorites because they are so versatile. You can substitute these berries into any of your favorite sweet berry recipes, like berry coulis, berry bars, or into cheesecakes and other desserts. My favorite thing to make is Haskap Berry Tarts (get the recipe here!).
You can also add them on top of yogurt or granola. My favorite way to eat them is as a frozen snack. They’re delicious right out of the freezer! Additionally, you can make jam, syrup, or wine out of them.
For something more savory, consider adding haskap berry tarts into savoury recipes like berry-glazed salmon or into a spinach salad with chicken or tofu.
Thank you for reading. ♡
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Frequently asked questions about haskap berry lemonade
What does a haskap berry taste like?
Haskap berry flavor resembles a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and a hint of elderberry/current. They are delightfully tart and if picked young can be a bit sour.
Can you eat raw haskap berries?
Yes! You can eat these berries raw, frozen, or prepared in both sweet and savoury recipes.
What is haskap berry good For?
Haskaps are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C. In fact, they have as much (or more) antioxidants than blueberries and higher contents of Vitamin C.
