📖 Instructions

1. First, grab a medium saucepan. Toss in the blackberries, mint sprigs, sugar, and half a cup of water. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it bubble away for about 5 minutes, until the blackberries burst and release their gorgeous color. This is where the magic happens!
2. Take the saucepan off the heat and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This steeping time is crucial—it allows the mint and blackberry flavors to really infuse the water. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavor will be. Plus, your kitchen will smell divine. I promise!
3. Now, position a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher. Pour the blackberry mixture through the sieve, pressing down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids—they’ve done their job.
4. Add the fresh lemon juice and the remaining water to the pitcher. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness if needed. Add more sugar (or your preferred sweetener) a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just right. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
5. Pop the pitcher into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill. This step is essential—cold lemonade is the best lemonade. If you’re impatient (like me), you can add a few ice cubes directly to the pitcher, but be aware that this will dilute the flavor slightly.
6. When you’re ready to serve, give the lemonade another quick stir. Add some fresh blackberries, mint sprigs, and lemon slices to the pitcher for a beautiful presentation. Pour into glasses filled with ice, and garnish each glass with a blackberry and a sprig of mint. Ahhh, that's better.