Blueberry Lemon Soda

Ingredients

• 27 ounces club soda
• 1 lemon (cut into thin slices and cut in halves)
• 2 ounces fresh blueberries optional for garnish

Blueberry Lemon Syrup

• 16 ounces fresh blueberries
• 1 cup water
• Zest from ½ lemon
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Wash the blueberries in a large bowl of water. Rinse and drain. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add water and lemon zest. 
2.  Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Prepare a large heatproof bowl or measuring cup with a fine sieve. Pour the cooked blueberry sauce over the sieve. Let it sit for 5 minutes. 
4. Stir and press down the blueberries to extract liquid as possible. Discard the skin and seed.
5. Quickly rinse the saucepan. Pour the blueberry juice back in. Add sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once boiling, cook for 2 more minutes. 
6. Transfer to a medium heatproof bowl or measuring cup. Keep in the fridge uncovered until cold, at least 1½ hours. Cover with a plastic wrap if not using within a couple hours.
7. When ready to serve, for 1 serving, in a medium measuring cup, add 1/4 cup blueberry lemon syrup and 3.4 ounces club soda, then give a quick stir.
8. For a small glass (1 1/2 cup glass), add about 5 ice cubes, 2 slices of lemon, and a few fresh blueberries (if using), pour the blueberry lemon soda over. Serve immediately.