Name: Raspberry Puree
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 21
Ingredients: 12 ounces raspberries (340 g); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; pinch of salt

This homemade raspberry puree recipe has just 3 simple ingredients and is ready to add to drinks or on top of your favorite dessert in under 10 minutes. Make it with fresh or frozen raspberries. Use the puree to add sweet, fruity flavor to a variety of drinks like iced tea, lemonade, punch, cocktails, mocktails and more.

Homemade raspberry puree in a bottle with raspberry puree label next to three raspberries and lemon wedge.

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Homemade Raspberry Puree

Homemade Raspberry Puree is beyond simple to make. The recipe has only three ingredients but gives big results.

Made with real raspberries, blended into a fruit puree, this saucy sweetener adds a punch of raspberry flavor to a variety of drinks.

My favorite way to enjoy raspberry puree is mixed in lemonade. Ice cold, sweet and tart–what more could you want in a refreshing summer drink?

But don’t think this puree is just for drinks. You can also use it to top desserts. I love a generous serving over ice cream.

Best of all, you can make a batch when raspberries are in-season and abundant or anytime of year with frozen berries.

Homemade raspberry puree in a small glass bottle with a raspberry puree label on it. The puree is next to a raspberry lemonade drink and three raspberries. — Make raspberry lemonade just by combining raspberry puree, lemonade and some fresh berries.

Why You’ll Love this Homemade Puree Recipe

Fresh Ingredients – This homemade puree recipe is simply a blend of fruit, sugar and lemon. It does not have any additives, preservatives or other unknown label ingredients like the store-bought kind.

Quick and easy – When I say, “quick and easy” I mean 10-minutes-or-less quick and throw-it-in-a-blender easy. Now, if you’re making the puree with frozen raspberries, you’ll need a few extra minutes to thaw them in the microwave, or do what I do: put them in the fridge the day before.

Versatile – Don’t think raspberry puree is just for drinks. It’s also a delicious ice cream and dessert topping. You could even use it to make a raspberry vinaigrette. It’s also easy to swap the type of berries. Here’s my recipe for homemade strawberry puree.

Glass measuring cup with homemade raspberry puree in it next to half a lemon and some fresh raspberries. — This raspberry puree is perfect for flavoring drinks or topping desserts.

Raspberry Puree Recipe

The only equipment needed to make homemade puree is a small blender. A typical container blender or immersion blender both get the job done.

Ingredients

Raspberries (fresh or defrosted frozen berries)
Sugar
Lemon (for juice and zest)
Salt

Raspberries – The star of the show, you’ve got two options when it comes to raspberries: fresh or frozen. Both are equally delicious.

For fresh raspberries, make sure they’re ripe. The ones on their way out that maybe don’t look as pretty, have a rich fruity flavor and work well for puree.

If you can get them in-season (when they’re cheaper), even better!

Frozen berries are flash frozen at peak ripeness so using them is not a compromise. Plus, you can make raspberry puree anytime of year.

Cane Sugar – Good ol’ white granulated cane sugar is all you need. I like to macerate the raspberries in it for a few minutes to really bring out all the rich, juicy raspberry flavor and dissolve the sugar before blending.

I personally have not made this recipe with any sugar-alternatives, but I’m guessing you can substitute in your favorite if that’s your preference.

Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest – A fresh lemon is best for this recipe. Skip the bottled kind!

The citric acid in fresh lemon juice intensifies the raspberry flavor and adds brightness to the puree.

Tart lemon also balances all the sweet.

How to Make Raspberry Puree for Drinks

Wash fresh raspberries and set on a towel to remove excess water. If using frozen, defrost them in a bowl overnight in the fridge or microwave for 2-3 minutes in 30 second intervals until thawed.
Add sugar to raspberries and stir to combine. Let the berries macerate for at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, juice and zest the lemon.
Blend raspberries, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt until pureed into a smooth consistency for drinks, about 1 minute. If desired, strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any seeds.
Store in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.

Bowl of frozen raspberries. — Use frozen raspberries to blend a batch of homemade raspberry puree any time of year.

Bowl of frozen raspberries that has been thawed. — Use frozen raspberries to blend a batch of homemade raspberry puree any time of year.

Recipe Notes

Too sweet? Too Tart? The puree should have a nice balance of sweet and tart. Give it a taste. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon. Too tart for your liking? You guessed it–blend in a little more sugar.

Macerating the Raspberries: Macerate the raspberries in sugar 5-15 minutes. The goal is to bring out lots of juice.

For efficiency in the kitchen, prep the berries and sugar first. While they’re macerating, get out your blender and zest and juice the lemon.

Pureeing the Raspberries: Use either a food processor or blender to blend the raspberries into a smooth puree for drinks.

Making ahead of time: Raspberry puree made with sugar (which is a preservative) may be prepared in advance of when you need it. I like to make it no more than the day before to ensure it’s fresh.

It’s hard to say exactly how long it lasts since this varies depending on the state of the raspberries you begin with. I suggest making it with frozen berries if you need it to stay good for several days.

Multiplying the recipe: Just make sure not to exceed the capacity of your blender, and make no more than what you can consume within a week. Otherwise, freeze the puree into cubes for later.

My Pick for Blender

I love my Ninja blender. It’s compact, powerful and easy to clean. I use it all the time for purees, sauces and smoothies!

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Drink Ideas with Raspberry Puree

Raspberry Lemonade: Combine the puree with prepared lemonade and serve over ice.
Frozen Raspberry Lemonade: This simple summer slushie is ice-cold and perfectly refreshing.
Raspberry Iced Tea: Stir a teaspoon or two into your favorite blend of iced tea: black, green or herbal.
Raspberry Cocktails & Mocktails: This puree is perfect for mixed fruity drinks.
Raspberry Smoothies: A delicious way to sweeten smoothies and add a punch of raspberry flavor.

More Easy Syrup and Puree Recipes

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Raspberry Puree

Yield: 21 servings (1 tablespoon)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This homemade raspberry puree recipe has just 3 simple ingredients and is ready to add to drinks or on top of your favorite dessert in under 10 minutes. Make it with fresh or frozen raspberries. Use the puree to add sweet fruity flavor to a variety of drinks like iced tea, lemonade, punch, cocktails, mocktails and more.