4 cups water, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup blackberries
1 to 2 drops blue food coloring, optional
Recipe
In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups water and sugar to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon peel and remaining water; cool slightly.
In a blender, combine 1 cup of lemon mixture and the blackberries; cover and process until blended. Strain and discard seeds. Pour blackberry mixture and remaining lemon mixture into a pitcher; stir well. Add food coloring if desired. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice. Yield: about 1-1/2 quarts.