Homemade Blueberry Syrup Recipe

Name: Homemade Blueberry Syrup
Prep time: 13 min
Cook time: 27 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 5 cups blueberries; 1 cup water; 1 lemon (medium); 1 cup granulated sugar

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This is the only homemade blueberry syrup recipe you’ll ever need—quick to prep, easy to can, and packed with bold blueberry flavor. With less than 15 minutes of prep time, you can whip up a batch of sweet, vibrant syrup perfect for breakfast, drinks, desserts, and gifting.

Try this simple syrup on sourdough pancakes or Dutch puff pancake for breakfast or brunch, added to coffee or other drinks, or on homemade vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Blueberry syrup in a mason jar with a pile of blueberries next to it.

There’s something extra satisfying about a jar of homemade blueberry syrup—simple, sweet, and packed with real fruit flavor. If you love preserving, try my blueberry honey freezer jam or switch things up with a cozy pumpkin spice coffee syrup in the fall.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Blueberry Syrup

Simple Ingredients: A great way to turn fresh blueberries into something special using just lemon, sugar, and water.
Delicious on So Many Desserts: Try it spooned over mini cheesecakes, homemade vanilla ice cream, or a warm slice of sourdough blueberry bread for a bakery-style treat at home.
Perfect for Gifting or Canning: Make a batch to give as a thoughtful gift, or preserve it to enjoy homemade blueberry syrup year-round. Home canning can be a great way to preserve the harvest when you have the right canning equipment.

Ingredients

Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Blueberries: You’ll need 5 cups of fresh blueberries. Rinse them well before using. Frozen blueberries can also be used—no need to thaw first.
Water: 1 cup helps the berries break down over medium heat and simmer into a pourable syrup.
Lemon: You’ll use both the zest and the juice of 1 medium lemon for brightness and balance.
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup of sugar sweetens the syrup and helps it thicken as it simmers.

Equipment

Medium saucepan
Potato masher (or pastry blender)
Lemon zester
Fine mesh sieve strainer
Funnel (optional)
Glass jars or containers for storage

How to Make Homemade Blueberry Syrup

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this blueberry syrup recipe.

Collage of four photos showing steps 1-4 for making homemade blueberry syrup.

Step 1: Rinse the lemon, then zest it using a lemon zester or small cheese grater (Photo 1). Set the zest aside.

Step 2: Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Set aside (Photo 2).

Step 3: Rinse the blueberries and add them to a medium saucepan with 1 cup of water (Photo 3). Use a potato masher or pastry blender to smash the berries (Photo 4).

Collage of four photos showing steps 5-8 for how to make homemade blueberry syrup.

Step 4: Bring the mashed berries to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes (Photo 5).

Step 5: Stir the mixture and mash any whole berries that remain. Then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible (Photo 6).

Step 6: Return the strained syrup to the saucepan. Stir in the lemon zest and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium to medium-low heat for 10 minutes (Photo 7).

Step 7: Add the lemon juice and bring to a final boil for about 2 minutes (Photo 8).

Homemade blueberry syrup in a mason jar with a spoon dipped into it.

Step 8: Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then ladle into mason jars or containers for storage.

How to Store

Store the blueberry syrup in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

For longer storage, the best way to freeze is to use wide-mouth jars or freezer-safe containers, leaving 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 1 year.

This homemade syrup is also suitable for canning. If you’re new to canning, there are some really helpful books and guides to show you how to do it.

Follow basic water bath canning safety guidelines with your home canning equipment if you choose to preserve it this way.

How to Serve

Use this homemade blueberry syrup recipe for a fun twist on classic toppings—delicious served warm or chilled over sourdough pancakes, sourdough English muffins, waffles, or French toast instead of traditional maple syrup.
Drizzle over homemade vanilla ice cream.
Use as a topping for cheesecakes or sweet quick bread for an extra burst of blueberry flavor.

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze blueberry syrup?

Yes, this easy recipe for homemade blueberry syrup can be frozen for up to a year in a freezer-safe jar or other container. It’s a great way to preserve summer flavors to enjoy later on top of pancakes or waffles.

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Absolutely. Frozen blueberries from the grocery store work well here. You can also use wild blueberries if that is what you have on hand.

Can this homemade blueberry syrup be canned?

Yes, this recipe works well for canning. Just follow basic water bath canning directions and safety guidelines. You’ll get about seven 4-ounce jars—perfect for gifting or storing long-term.

Homemade blueberry syrup in a mason jar next to a pile of blueberries and some lemons.

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If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!