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Black Elderberry Lemonade

Black elderberry lemonade is a fast, tart-sweet drink made by whisking lemon juice with deep plum noir elderberry syrup and then cutting it with cold water. It’s ready in under five minutes, served over ice, and garnished with fresh lemon slices for a bright finish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 175
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

lemon juice
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice Use freshly squeezed for the brightest tart flavor.
elderberry syrup
  • 0.5 cup elderberry syrup Choose a concentrated syrup for bold color and flavor.
water
  • 4 cup cold water Keep chilled so the drink stays cold immediately.
ice
  • 1 Ice, for serving As needed to fill glasses and chill quickly.
garnish
  • 1 Lemon slices, for garnish Optional but recommended for aroma and presentation.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Mix the base
  1. In a large pitcher, whisk together the lemon juice and elderberry syrup until combined, keeping the mixture smooth and evenly dark.
  2. Stir in the cold water until the color is evenly distributed, then stop once no streaks remain.
Adjust and serve
  1. Taste and adjust sweetness with more elderberry syrup if desired, aiming for a tart-sweet balance.
  2. Fill glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over the top, letting the ice instantly chill the drink.
  3. Garnish each glass with a fresh lemon slice for a bright, fresh finish.
  4. Serve immediately while cold to keep the flavor crisp and refreshing.

Notes

For extra froth and thorough mixing, shake individual servings in a cocktail shaker with ice until well blended, then pour over fresh ice. Refrigerate any leftovers in a sealed pitcher for up to 2 days; the flavor is best the same day. Freezing isn’t recommended because the citrus-forward texture can dull as it thaws. If you want a lower-sugar version, use less elderberry syrup and then top with additional cold water to maintain the tart lemonade balance.