Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups cold water
- 2–3 tbsp activated charcoal syrup (or blackberry syrup for depth)
- 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- Dried rosemary sprig, for garnish
- Blackberries, for garnish
- Charcoal sugar (for rimming glass)
Instructions
- Make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and ½ cup water. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves (~3 min). Cool.
- Juice lemons and strain juice into a pitcher. Stir in simple syrup, remaining 2.5 cups cold water, and lemon zest.
- For_each_glass: Rim with charcoal sugar (brush rim with lemon juice, dip in charcoal sugar). Fill glass with ice.
- Pour lemonade into glass. Slowly drizzle 1–2 tbsp activated charcoal syrup or blackberry syrup into center — let it swirl naturally.
- Garnish with blackberries and a sprig of dried rosemary.
Notes
- Activated charcoal syrup: Mix 1 tsp food-grade activated charcoal powder with 2 tbsp hot water until dissolved. Store refrigerated up to 3 days.
- For kids/party fun, use blackberry or grape juice instead for natural dark swirl without charcoal.
- For extra drama, serve in clear stemware or mason jars resting on a slate coaster.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Method: No-bake, mixed drink
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 98 Kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
