Step 1: Make the Blueberry Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of fresh blueberries, ½ cup of sugar (or honey), and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the blueberries burst and release their juice, creating a vibrant purple syrup.

Step 2:
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the blueberry syrup cool slightly. Once it has cooled, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the blueberry solids and set the syrup aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Juice
While the blueberry syrup cools, squeeze the juice from 4-5 large lemons until you have about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the lemon juice to remove any seeds or pulp if desired.

Step 4: Mix the Lemonade
In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice with the blueberry syrup. Stir well to combine. Taste the mixture, and if you’d like a sweeter lemonade, add more sugar or honey at this point and stir until dissolved.

Step 5: Add Sparkling Water
Just before serving, add 3 cups of cold sparkling water to the lemon-blueberry mixture. Stir gently to combine without losing too much of the bubbles.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade over the ice. Garnish with fresh blueberries, lemon slices, and a sprig of mint if desired for an extra touch of freshness.