It’s officially summertime here in Baltimore. Today, it’s a smeltering 100 degrees and the humidity is out of control. It feels like hot dog breath outside- blek! Let me just tell you, this weather is not helping my hair situation. I have a mini fro going on, and it’s a frightful sight.

I made a refreshing summer soda to help beat this dreaded summer heat. It’s blueberry, it’s super fresh, and screams summa summa time!

I made a simple blueberry syrup that I found on Joy the Baker. It’s delicious and fruity with a touch of mint. I sweetened it with agave syrup to keep it all natural.

All you have to do is add a little syrup to a glass of ice and top it with club soda. Voila, homemade soda! You control how sweet you want your soda by adding as little or as much club soda as you like.

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Blueberry Syrup

adapted from Joy the Baker

3 cups water
1 (16 ounce) bag frozen blueberries
1 lemon, juiced
6 mint leaves
3/4 agave nectar

In a medium-sized saucepan, add water, blueberries, lemon juice, mint leaves, and agave. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove the mixture from the heat and strain through a mesh strainer into a large bowl (preferably one with a spout for easy transfer). Using a spatula, press down on the blueberries to release all of their juices.

Transfer the strained mixture back to the saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the mixture reduces to about 2 cups of liquid.

Chill the syrup in the refrigerator until completely cool, about 2 hours. Add ice to a glass, pour in desired amount of syrup, and top with club soda. Enjoy!

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