Blueberry simple syrup bursts with all of the flavor of peak summer sun-drenched blueberries. It goes on practically anything; breakfasts, desserts, drinks, and cocktails will all benefit from a splash of this deep purple syrup.
Simple syrups are the best at adding concentrated flavor to desserts and drinks. This blueberry simple syrup has all of the floral and fruity notes of fresh blueberries and is heavenly on pancakes or simple vanilla ice cream.
Much like the strawberry simple syrup , this recipe is made with only two ingredients: fresh or frozen fruit and sugar. Just add vanilla and you can make this seasonal Cranberry Syrup with Vanilla, too! Check out my suggestions below for variations on the basic recipe.
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Ingredients
I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!
- Blueberries - I love to make this syrup when local blueberries are in season, but frozen blueberries will absolutely work in this recipe. Rinse fresh blueberries and add them to the recipe or use frozen berries directly from the bag.
- Granulated Sugar - Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the syrup, of course, but it also helps in thickening the juices for a syrupy consistency
Instructions
Mash the berries along with the sugar and ¼ cup water until they have released a good amount of liquid. With frozen berries, this takes a bit of elbow grease.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Remove the syrup mixture form the heat.
Layer cheesecloth over a mesh strainer and place the strainer over a bowl to collect the syrup. Pass the syrup mixture through the strainer, pressing with the back of a wooden spoon. About ½ cup of solids will remain at the top of the strainer.
Transfer the syrup to an airtight container to cool.
Don't toss the blueberry solids that were collected from the cheesecloth! They are basically a refrigerator blueberry jam and they are perfect on toast or spread in a layer for these Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars!
Dilute the Syrup as Needed
While blueberries aren't a high-pectin fruit, this syrup will gel up as it cools. Dilute the syrup with water until you get your desired consistency, I like one ounce of water for every three ounces of syrup.
The consistency of the syrup will depend on how ripe the berries are and how much the mixture reduces when you cook it, so play around with the ratio of syrup to water a bit.
Use It in Beverages
Make blueberry milk for an after school treat! About 1 ounce of syrup will flavor 8 ounces of your favorite milk, plus it will give the milk a beautiful purple hue. Top the milk with whipped cream for bonus points!
Make blueberry lemonade by combining 1 ounce of syrup with 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice and 6 ounces of water. Pour the lemonade over ice and garnish with lemon slices and fresh blueberries.
Here are some other beverage suggestions for your blueberry simple syrup:
- Blueberry Matcha Latte - Add a couple of tablespoons of water and a teaspoon of matcha powder to the bottom of a tall glass. Whisk well to dissolve the tea powder. Fill the glass with ice and cold milk for a iced latte and then top it with an ounce of blueberry syrup.
- Blueberry Soda - Add one ounce of blueberry syrup to a glass of ice cubes. Top it with bubbly water and stir well to mix. Garnish with fresh blueberries.
- Blueberry Old Fashioned - Swap out the sugar cube in favor of a bar spoon of the blueberry simple syrup in your favorite Old Fashioned cocktail recipe.
Drizzle It on Desserts
This blueberry syrup is perfect over vanilla ice cream. Or, you can double your blueberry flavor and drizzle it over 3-Ingredient Blueberry Ice Cream or Blueberry Biscuits!
You can also add this syrup to ice cream and milk for a blueberry milkshake, use it to soak layers of vanilla sponge in a special occasion cake, or swirl it into a basic coffee cake before baking to add blueberry flavor.
Add It to Breakfast Favorites
Blueberry syrup is a natural addition to your pancakes (try these Diner Pancakes next weekend!), but here are other breakfast suggestions:
- Greek Yogurt - Swirl some blueberry syrup into Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and top with granola, nuts, or dry cereal for a filling breakfast bowl.
- Oatmeal - Top a hearty bowl of oatmeal with a splash of blueberry syrup.
- Breakfast Toast - Slather a toasted slice of whole wheat bread with a nut or seed butter and drizzle some of this blueberry syrup over the top.
Variations
There are a few ways to customize this blueberry syrup to add extra flavor. Here are some tasty ideas:
- Herbs - Add a few sprigs of thyme or basil to the pot when you mash the berries with the sugar. I love the combination of these herbs with fruity blueberries.
- Citrus - Lemon is a natural pairing with blueberries, but limes are a terrific compliment too. Add lemon or lime zest to your mixture before cooking to get maximum flavor.
- Extracts - Add a ¼ teaspoon of almond extract or ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the syrup after straining for a twist on blueberry syrup.
Equipment
You'll need cheesecloth to strain the cooked blueberries and remove the teeny, tiny seeds that they have hiding inside. I like to lay it in a double layer over a mesh strainer. If you don't think you'll mind the seeds, feel free to skip the cheesecloth!
I like to make all of my fresh fruit simple syrups in a wider saucepan so that more water can boil off in the cooking step. This concentrates flavors and makes a nice thick syrup.
Storage
Store the blueberry simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze the syrup for up to three months.
FAQ
Yes, double the ingredients and choose a saucepan that is at least 3 quarts in capacity so that there is no chance the syrup will boil over when cooking.
You can store the syrup on the countertop for a couple of days, but it will last much longer in the refrigerator or freezer. Given the dark color of the syrup, you won't be able to see if it gets cloudy with bacteria or mold growth, so refrigerator storage is my recommendation.
More Berry Recipes!
Berries are so delicious when they are in season and frozen berries often capture the fruit at their peak of flavor. Make one of these recipes next time you are craving some sweet berry flavors:
Try It and Share
Make this blueberry simple syrup and show us how you use it! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.
Recipe
Blueberry Simple Syrup for Drinks, Dessert, and Breakfast
Equipment
- 1 mesh strainer
- cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 1 pound blueberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Mash the blueberries with the sugar and ¼ cup water using a potato masher in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Add a double layer of cheesecloth to a mesh strainer. Pass the blueberry mixture through the lined strainer, pressing with the back of a spoon.
- Store the syrup in a glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts caculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.
Cassie @ Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat. says
My favorite way to enjoy this blueberry syrup is in a blueberry lemonade. What is you favorite?