This Sparkling Blackberry Yuzu drink is inspired by Tim Horton's blackberry yuzu sparkling quenchers and features a fresh blackberry juice concentrate combined with bright yuzu citrus in a refreshing combination of flavors.

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Why you'll love this recipe

This recipe is inspired by Tim Horton's Blackberry Yuzu Sparkling Quencher and is:

All-natural: the beautiful deep purple color of the drink is from making the blackberry fruit juice concentrate or syrup and combining it together with sparkling water.

Refreshing: it's a different spin on lemonade and the bubbly sparkling water makes it extra delicious on a hot summer day.

Economical: you can make this drink for much less at home.

What is yuzu?

Yuzu is a yellow citrus fruit that has rough, bumpy skin and resembles a clementine.

It is very aromatic with a tangy flavor similar to grapefruit and mandarin orange.

Yuzu fruit is commonly found in East Asia, and used predominantly in Japanese and Korean cuisine.

How to use yuzu

Yuzu juice along with its rind and zest is used in the same manner as lemon, orange or citrus in general.

It's a versatile fruit as you can use yuzu in cakes, curds, or add into drinks like gin fizz.

Ingredients you'll need

fresh blackberries: washed and drained
lemon juice: you can use fresh-squeezed lemon juice, or bottled lemon juice
granulated sugar: adds a little sweetness to the syrup
yuzu juice: you can usually find it bottled in specialty Asian/Japanese/Korean supermarkets, as fresh yuzu can be difficult to find; if you can't find yuzu juice, you can substitute with lemon juice
ice cubes
carbonated water/sparkling water

How to make

Make the blackberry yuzu juice concentrate:

In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, lemon juice and granulated sugar.

Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the blackberries soften, release their juices and the syrup thickens a little.

Remove from heat.

Place the blackberry mixture through a sieve over a bowl and push the blackberry juice through with a spatula.

Discard the blackberry seeds.

Stir in yuzu juice and set aside.

Assemble the drink:

In a tall glass filled with ice cubes, pour in half of the blackberry juice concentrate (about 1 ½ oz).

Top off with carbonated water.

Add in a sprig of fresh mint and garnish with a lemon slice.

Stick in a straw, give it a stir, sip and enjoy.

How to serve

Serve the Blackberry Yuzu sparkler immediately.

Note: it is best to assemble the drink just prior to serving as the carbonation with flatten with time.

Try pairing it with a light snack such as potato chips, prawn crackers/shrimp chips, mochi rice nuggets, or seaweed rice snacks.

How to store

Store the blackberry juice concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Flavour variations

You can play around and change up the flavor of the sparkling water -- try a combination of orange ginger, blueberry mint, mixed berries, or strawberry watermelon.

FAQs

Can I make a larger batch?

You can double the recipe to make 4 drinks.

Can I make the blackberry syrup ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the blackberry syrup and store it in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Whenever you have a hankering for a refreshing drink, you can just mix the syrup/concentrate with ice and water and enjoy!

Can I use frozen blackberries?

Yes, you can definitely use frozen blackberries. Just be sure to simmer for a little longer to evaporate any excess liquid.

Other drink recipes you may like

Be sure to check out these recipes:

Starbucks Iced Passion Tea Lemonade (2 Ingredients)

Lemongrass Tea

Sparkling Strawberry Lychee Jasmine Tea

Iced Lavender Blueberry Jasmine Tea

Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

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5 from 3 votes