This blueberry syrup was inspired by… living!
This blueberry syrup was inspired by surprise sunny afternoons in Washington state. This sweet syrup was inspired by cart wheels in the grass… when you think you might be too old for cartwheels anywhere. It’s inspired by neighbor horses, nephew cats, and ferry boat rides. It is inspired by a Sunday afternoon visit to Vashon Island to see Gluten-free Girl and the Chef… we shared a meal, fed a horse, and entertained each other by dancing the the grass like stone-cold maniacs. It felt just like sweet sweet summer.
Charles, you’re a fine gentleman. Thank you for taking such good care of my little sister in Seattle.
Alone on a ferry.
Feels good and smells like going places.
Boat ropes.
I want this to be jewelry.
Vashon is green and romantic.
I feels like a lot of frogs and artists live here.
Vashon has all the room in the world for shed-side conversations and cartwheels.
You know you’re among your people when this happens…
… and when the beauty of simple things is amplified…
… and you’re welcomed with eggs, peas, and goat cheese.
… and you can go back for a second helping without even asking.
In Vashon, Shauna and Danny had a lovely jar of rose colored rhubarb syrup made for their homemade sodas. That seemed like just the ticket.
A syrup that’s simple, versatile and super summery.
I used frozen blueberries, because they’re easy and cost effective. I paired the frozen berries with filtered water, a good squeeze of lemon, and a small handful of mint leaves.
After a good boiling, a good straining, and another good boiling… this syrup is reduced from 3 cups to 2 cups.
It’s maple and blueberry sweet.
This syrup is wonderful paired with ice cold soda water. Add a splash of almond milk for a vegan Italian Soda.
Blueberry syrup is also bonkers delicious poured over vanilla ice cream.
And if you’re thinking that this syrup is perfect on pancakes… you’re 100% correct.
It’s beautiful out in the world… I hope you’re out in it, living well!
Maple Blueberry Syrup
makes 2 cups
3 cups water
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen blueberries, thawed of still frozen is fine.
juice of half a lemon
small handful of fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup maple syrup
soda water
In a saucepan, combine water, frozen blueberries, lemon juice (and why not toss in the entire half of lemon), mint leaves, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. Using a spatula, press the blueberries into the strainer, releasing any juices. Return the warm, strained liquid to the saucepan. Bring to a boil once again, reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, until syrup is reduced to 2 cups of liquid.
Place in a jar and allow to cool in the refrigerator.
To make blueberry soda, add a few tablespoons of blueberry syrup to iced soda water. Enjoy!
Miriam
Do you know if you could make this with other fruits, like peaches, for example? I’ve made a strawberry syrup using the same technique (except flavored with sugar) and it was divine.
Christine
brilliant! I have some brewing at this moment, thank you for sharing.. how long would you say this last in the fridge? Could you leave it on counter you think? thanks!!
Beth C.
I’m wondering if this would be ok to can? Any thoughts from anyone?
joythebaker
I’m not sure. Canning is a whole thing that I’m not really all that knowledgable on. I’m not really equipped to answer this. The sugar in the syrup should preserve it for a long while without canning. But I suggest you dig a little deeper, i.e. Google.
Jessica @ People Like Food
Washington – I need to go! Blueberry syrup, vanilla ice cream and pancakes (not together, of course – that would be silly) – I need to try :)
Kals
Joy
Looks awesome. Any ideas how long the syrup would keep for in the fridge?
Ta Kals
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See
Love how you used maple syrup instead of regular sugar. And almond milk? Yup, we share a brain.
sarah
The first picture of this post-the one with the drink and the amazing blur of…fabric? Orrr wallpaper? The way the drink is settling into itself? Really stunning. Like…REALLY.
michelle
How pretty and what a good idea about the vegan Italian soda! Soooo making this!!!!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
That sounds like such a lovely afternoon. We finally ventured to Vashon for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I too was struck by how remote it feels (but yet so close to Seattle). Pretty awesome.
It was great to meet you at Blogher – I am now going to lurk your site lol.
Tamara
Yum. I am a huge blueberry fan and my goal this summer is to make my own soda. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
alison
What a sweet trip!! I need to go to Vashon now. It looks beautiful. I love your new blog layout too. Next time you’re out, let’s get together and catch up on life more. Love you and your sweet posts ;)
aida mollenkamp
Your trip to Vashon sounds heavenly!
Julia
adding bourbon, brilliant! And happening this weekend, fo sho!
shauna
Can I say that it was joy to have you here? It was, even if it’s a funny sort of sentence when your name is Joy. We adore you here. All of us will remember sitting on that green, green grass, talking. And dancing to Singing in the Rain. What a day.
Allie
Me too — recipe please? I’ve been making one that looks similar (Stacey Snacks — onion tart) but I LOVE goat cheese and would like to expand my repetoire… Have you tried goat cheese and mustard greens omelettes? I started a little garden on my balcony and love to pick veggies for my cooking experiments. Caking/cooking in cast iron is pretty awesome!
Satoko
I have never imagined such an unique combination.i think it’s tasty.
Jennifer
Lovely pictures, as always, and lovely recipe.
Amelia
I love this post so much, it’s very inspiring. I look forward to making that syrup as soon as my exams are over.
fusilliamy
Looks like a lovely trip and this drink looks so tasty and refreshing. And it’s purple, my favorite color. This also makes me want to try a variation with blueberry, lemon and ginger. I made a cake filling with that once and it was shut the front door good.
Aline
What is the breakfast dish? Do you have a recipe for it?
Rayna
Charles rather looks like an old man…he would be great friends with my own elderly-looking cat, Chester. He is just two years old!
Ellen
Vegan Italian soda? Brilliant.
Nicole @ the Dirty oven
Looks like you had fun! Jealous! So happy for you. Must make this to add to our pancake sunday mornings.
Tali Simon @ More Quiche, Please
I love those straws in the first image. Where did you get them?
Rocky Mountain Woman
I so need to visit Vashon…looks like my kind of place…
the Blueberry syrup looks like my kind of syrup also…
Elly
The real star of this post for me is that gorgeous-looking frittata! Want!
Bethany Batson
Hi Joy!
This is my first time leaving you a comment (even though I love your blog and read it probably everyday…and when I say probably, I don’t really mean probably). I’ve grown up and lived in Washington my whole life, but recently moved to Wisconsin (because my husband is going to medical school here). I miss Washington so much, but your post has given me a little taste of home! Thank you!
By the way, try using apple juice concentrate and blueberries for syrup sometime! Its spectacular.
Cheers,
Bethany
Ann P.
DELISH!!! Totally makes me think of the pacific northwest, and summer mornings eating pancakes and waffles. oooh some of the best things on earth. :)
Amy @Macncheesenpeas
Looks like an amazing trip! You’re so good at capturing all the beautiful things around you. :)
Kendra
Joy, would this keep if I wanted to send it to someone on the other side of the country? I think they need this.
Shirley@bells-bakery
This sounds amazing,yum! loos like a good time :)
Joanna
pretty soon you’ll have a whole Joy the Baker syrup line! and then! then I can have a whole line of Joy the baker syrup jars!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
This is getting me so excited for my trip to Vermont. It is all about everything maple there.
Luu
This looks so good! I love blueberries and I’ll definitely try this recipe! <3
Sarah from 20something cupcakes
I need to make my own soda this way. Tried the whole soda stream thing but this is the real deal. Can we add bourbon?
Redd H from Salted Spoon
This looks and sounds divine! I love the rich color.
Erin
“nephew cat” made me chuckle. I’ve referred to my sister’s cat as my “devilish niece cat” for years, although I’ve felt alone in defining my familial relationship with said feline until right now. Beautiful post!
Mary @ Bake Break
Love the first picture!! Fantastic background – and yummy syrup! I have a TON of blueberries I’m using up right now, perhaps they’ll turn into this syrup (or your muffins in your cookbook…).
Eliz. K
Definitely going to have to try this! We just had blueberry pancakes for lunch– so tasty! Hooray for summer fruit!
Melissa
Now I have another delicious use for the blueberries growing in our yard! They just need to hurry up and ripen already…
Carlee
Vashon is one of my absolute favorite places. My husband and I would like to live there someday (hopefully in the not too distant future). For now we settle for day trips to visit the Vashon Flea and Farmers markets. Glad you enjoyed your time there, as well!
Shut Up & Cook
Fantastic photos!
Marie
If you add balsamic vinegar it would make a great glaze for BBQ!
joythebaker
ooh wow! that sounds amazing!!
Allie@sweetpotatobites
blueberry syrup in homemade soda sounds like the perfect summer drink to me! love your washington photos!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League
I have frozen blueberries begging to be made into this syrup for pancakes this weekend. Looks incredible!
Cookie and Kate
Sounds lovely, all of it! I just posted a blueberry maple tea cake yesterday and now I think I have to try this syrup. I gave up regular sodas a couple of years ago but club soda is still my favorite mixer and this gives me an excuse to sip on the bubblies during daylight hours. Win!
Christina
IIIIIII totally did cartwheels the other night (perhaps after one too many Sam Adams Summer Ales). I was planning on making blueberry syrup along with a blueberry pie today, and now I want to add maple to it! Because that would be delish over the pie served with ice cream.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Since this is the second time in as many days that I’ve seen maple paired with blueberry, I think the baking gods are trying to tell me something… how delicious!
Allyn
Oh yes. This.
Growing up, we’d go with my grandparents to stay at their river house in Arkansas and take us berry picking. my grandmother would then make blueberry syrup with the fresh berries.
Flavor of some of my sweetest childhood memories.
I’ll be making this soon.
joythebaker
that’s good good living.
Emily
Awesome! I think homemade sodas are the wave of the future. BTW, I took your lavender lemonade to my food swap and I was way popular. I bet this would be too!
heather
yum. i love homemade sodas. i make a cherry syrup (from cocktail cherries….kcrw last summer) and make sodas all summer….can’t wait to try your blueberry maple one.
Leah N
Hi Joy! This sounds totally delightful and absolutely perfect for my father, who is a blueberry freak! How long do you think this would keep well for??
Thank you for another beautiful recipe! I love it here. :)
Caley
Joy, you inspire me.
Becca - Cookie Jar Treats
I’m not a fan of blueberrys, but this looks amazing! I want some. But then again, everything you make that I don’t like the taste of seems like something I want to eat (does that make sense? Hope so)
You take beautiful pictures and it sounds like you had a magical time <3
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Looks like you had such a beautiful time! I love summer adventures. I would absolutely have to try this over cornmeal pancakes.
Samantha Angela
Sounds delicious!
I just used some of the syrup created from making strawberry jam in an iced latte this weekend and it was delicious.
I bet blueberry syrup would be an interesting addition to iced lattes too.
Ingrid @ Jammy Chicken
Mint! Why do I always seem to forget about how great mint is with just about everything? Just thinking out loud, here – no answer expected. Every time I see something lovely with mint, like this, it’s a forehead slap, saying ‘Use More Mint!’ One of these days, I’ll learn…
This would also be great mixed with powdered sugar to make a thick glaze for scones or muffins (if you can bear to turn the oven on in the heat of summer).
chefroommate
summer in a beverage – how wonderful. thanks for brightening my day by sharing your travels and your recipe!
ivonne
joy, would this work with fresh blueberries? I live near “the blueberry capital of the world” and they are in massive abundance right now. I always want fresh over frozen if they are in season. what say you?
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
Using frozen- that’s great! Blueberries are so stinking expensive!!!
Nat
Ohmygoshthathorseisstunning.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
What a great summer treat!!
Rachel
What an enchanting post. It really swept me away, which was what I needed today, thanks.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Yum! I need a new fun drink recipe and this syrup is sure to please!!
Anna @ the shady pine
Ok this blueberry syrup is completely amazing….if I may suggest a cocktail alternative. For a blueberry caprioska, add ice to a cocktail shaker, 1 shot blueberry syrup, 1 shot vodka, juice of half a lime and half cup of soda water. Shake and serve for a delicious berry cocktail.
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
Oh my goodness. When I saw the title, I thought I really was neither here-nor-there about maple blueberry syrup. Then I saw the picture and fell in love with it, and then even more after I read your post. I love it! Thank you for another super-summery lovely idea!
sweetmaddy
YUM I am making this asap, as it’s doable on my hotplate! Glad you enjoyed your visit to WA!
Claire Maxwell
This sounds dreamy. It’s on my to-do list.
Kathryn
I just love the idea of homemade sodas, what a wonderful way to enjoy summer.
Katie
I love this idea! And I just invested in a water carbonating system (Soda Stream) so I’ve got limitless fizzy water on hand just a-waiting for a splash of blueberry maple goodness. Hurrah!
Grace
This post is too good! I love the feel of it and that dish with goat cheese on it looks delicious!
Caz
Sounds like a fun trip! Gluten Free Girl was the first blog I ever followed. The syrup looks amazing too :)
emmycooks
This is what I meant! It’s like a little reward for staying up too late when your posts appear at this hour. Those sodas look, as I think you would say, bonkers good. :)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
This sounds insanely good! And I am all about easy and cost effective….frozen. It works! I am definitely all about that, especially when they’re going to be boiled down for awhile anyway. Save the fresh ones for straight-up eating :)
Archer
That’s so fun you got to hang out with gluten free girl!
Julia {The Roasted Root}
Looks like a fun trip and I have to admit, I’m envious that you hang out with other people who take pictures of food, too….my peeps just think I’m a big weirdo but I point and shoot nonetheless. The maple blueberry syrup sounds awesome! What about a little booze in the soda of yours? :)