BHA & BHT Free Sparkling Blueberry Lemon Spritz
This vibrant, jewel-toned spritz is the kind of drink that looks like it came from a fancy café but comes together entirely from scratch in your own kitchen. BHA and BHT are synthetic preservatives commonly found in packaged beverages, flavored syrups, and even some sparkling drinks — so making your own from whole ingredients is the cleanest way to sidestep them entirely. Here, fresh or frozen blueberries are simmered down with maple syrup and bright lemon zest into a gorgeous deep-purple syrup that does all the heavy lifting. Fresh lemon juice adds a zippy tartness that balances the natural sweetness, and chilled sparkling water brings the fizz without any mystery additives. The result is a refreshing, beautifully layered drink that's as fun to look at as it is to sip. A lemon slice and a sprig of mint make it feel genuinely special, whether you're serving it at brunch or just treating yourself on a warm afternoon.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the blueberry-lemon syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup water
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
For the spritz
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 small fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the blueberries, water, maple syrup, and lemon zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries burst and the liquid turns deep purple, about 6–8 minutes.
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat and press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or large measuring cup, pressing the solids firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids.
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