Sesame Free Fresh Vanilla Berry Lemonade
This is the kind of drink that makes a regular afternoon feel like a backyard party. Fresh strawberries and blueberries get muddled right in the pitcher, releasing their natural juice and color before real lemon juice and a homemade vanilla syrup tie everything together. That syrup is the secret weapon here — a vanilla bean steeped in warm maple syrup adds a floral, caramel-like depth that no store-bought lemonade can touch. Because every single ingredient is naturally free of sesame in any form, there's no label-scanning or cross-contamination stress to worry about. You can strain it smooth for a jewel-bright pour or leave the berry pulp in for something a little more rustic and textured — both are gorgeous over ice. A few sprigs of fresh mint on top make it look like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the vanilla simple syrup
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–7 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup, 1/2 cup water, vanilla bean seeds, and the scraped pod in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the maple syrup is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and let the syrup steep for 20 minutes.
- 2
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or measuring cup, discarding the vanilla pod. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!