Berry Lemonade Mocktail

Add the fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to a medium saucepan. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries start to soften and release their juices (about 3–4 minutes). Gently mash the berries with a wooden spoon or spatula to help break them down. Continue cooking for an additional 2–3 minutes until you have a juicy, fragrant berry mixture.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the berry mixture to cool for a few minutes. Set a fine mesh sieve or strainer over a large mixing bowl or measuring jug. Carefully pour the cooked berry mixture into the sieve. Using the back of a spoon or spatula, press down to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the remaining pulp and seeds in the sieve, keeping only the vibrant berry juice in the bowl.

While the berry juice is cooling, wash the lemons thoroughly. Cut them in half and use a citrus juicer to extract the juice until you have 1/2 cup (120ml) of fresh lemon juice. Pour the lemon juice into a small bowl or measuring cup, setting it aside and removing any seeds.

Pour the strained berry juice and the freshly squeezed lemon juice into a large clear pitcher. Add the cold water and stir well with a long spoon until everything is thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired by adding a little extra sugar and stirring to dissolve. You can also add ice cubes to the pitcher or leave them for serving.

Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld and the mocktail to get cold. When ready to serve, fill each glass with ice cubes and pour the berry lemonade mocktail over the ice. Garnish each glass with a few fresh berries, a slice of lemon, and a sprig of mint for a festive, refreshing finish.