Long summer days often mean more time spent outside—whether you're heading to the pool, enjoying a family picnic, going for a hike, or cheering from the sidelines at a baseball game. With all that time in the sun, staying hydrated becomes even more important. In fact, our team at The Elderberry Co. is currently taking on a 30-day water challenge, encouraging each other to drink half our body weight in ounces of water every day. It's been a fun way to build healthier habits together while reminding ourselves just how important hydration is during the hottest months of the year.
While water should always be your primary source of hydration, adding fresh fruit, herbs, teas, and other wholesome ingredients can make it easier—and more enjoyable—to reach for another glass. These refreshing recipes are a delicious way to stay cool all summer long.
1. Sparkling Elderberry Lemonade ✨
A simple drink that feels a little extra.
Ingredients:
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½ cup lemonade
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½ cup sparkling water
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1 tablespoon Elderberry Syrup
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Ice
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Lemon wheel
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Fresh raspberries (optional)
Instructions:
Fill a glass with ice. Add lemonade and Elderberry Syrup, then top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish.
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Watermelon Elderberry Agua Fresca 🍉
Sweet, juicy, and made for sipping in the sunshine.
Ingredients:
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3 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
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1 tablespoon Elderberry Syrup
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Juice of 1 lime
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½ cup cold water (or coconut water for extra hydration)
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Ice
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Fresh mint leaves or a watermelon wedge for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Add the watermelon, Elderberry Syrup, lime juice, and water to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. For a smoother drink, strain through a fine mesh sieve (optional). Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint or a watermelon wedge.
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Peach Immunity Iced Tea 🍑
Sweet peaches pair perfectly with our handcrafted Immunity Tea.
Ingredients:
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1 cup prepared and chilled Immunity Tea
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¼ cup peach nectar
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1–2 teaspoons raw honey (optional, sweeten to taste)
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Ice
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Fresh peach slices for garnish
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Fresh mint (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare your Immunity Tea according to the package directions and allow it to cool completely. Fill a glass with ice, then pour in the chilled tea and peach nectar. Stir in raw honey if you'd like a little extra sweetness, then garnish with fresh peach slices and a sprig of mint.
Shop our Immunity Tea Kit and brew a fresh batch here: Immunity Tea Kit
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Elderberry Arnold Palmer 🍋
A refreshing twist on the classic half-tea, half-lemonade favorite.
Ingredients:
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½ cup brewed black tea, chilled
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½ cup lemonade
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1 tablespoon Elderberry Syrup
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Ice
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Lemon slices for garnish
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Fresh mint (optional)
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the chilled black tea and lemonade. Stir in the Elderberry Syrup until combined. Garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint, if desired.
Make it sparkling: Replace half of the lemonade with sparkling lemonade or sparkling water for a fizzy version.
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Blackberry Elderberry Smash 🍇
Perfect for happy hour—or any hour.
Ingredients:
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4 blackberries
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4 mint leaves
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Juice of ½ lime
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1 tablespoon Elderberry Syrup
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Sparkling water
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Ice
Instructions:
Muddle the blackberries and mint. Add lime juice and Elderberry Syrup. Fill the glass with ice, top with sparkling water, and stir.
Optional: Add 1½ oz vodka or gin for an adult version.
Our Elderberry Syrup makes it easy to add a burst of naturally sweet berry flavor to everyday drinks, while also providing naturally occurring antioxidants from simple, thoughtfully selected ingredients. It's a delicious way to incorporate elderberry into your daily routine beyond the traditional spoonful.
Here's to soaking up the sunshine, staying hydrated, and making the most of every summer adventure. If you try one of these recipes, we'd love to see it! Share a photo on social media and tag us so we can see your favorite summer sip.
By Lindy Lawrence