This fruit dish could pass as dessert! It is really my favorite way to serve berries, and when you read through the ingredients of the syrup you make to pour over it, you'll know why. It is summer perfection..... beautiful fresh in-season strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, fresh mint, and a syrup that will blow your socks off. You will always get an empty bowl after serving this, and you'll be wishing you had some left!
Summer Berry Medley
Serves 8-10
1 cup sparkling white grape juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest (zest of one lemon)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
In a small heavy saucepan, bring grape juice and sugar to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. In a large bowl, combine berries and mint. Pour syrup over fruit and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You will need about 7 cups berries, any variety. I love using strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. You'll also need sparkling white grape juice, fresh mint, a lemon, sugar, and vanilla.
In a small heavy saucepan, bring the white grape juice and sugar to a boil.
Simmer on low until reduced in half, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
Zest the lemon, then cut in half.
Add lemon juice from 1/2 of the lemon (about 1 tablespoon), the zest, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine.
Break off leaves from the fresh mint then roll up lengthwise.
Mince well. You want about 1 tablespoon minced mint.
In a large bowl, add berries and mint.
Pour the cooled syrup over all, then toss gently to coat.
Refrigerate for at least a few hours before serving to let the flavors intensify.
Serve with any summer meal and get raving reviews from your friends and family! Watch out.... once everyone tastes it, it will go fast!
Recipe Source: Shanna's recipe box