The fresh and fragrant summer berries are so versatile and can be used in everything ranging from cocktails, pies, muffins, jello and cakes. Welcome summer with these 24 Favorite Summer Berry Recipes! Why don't you try a blackberry grilled cheese, a quick and easy blueberry muffin or a decadent cherry chocolate cake?
There's something for all occasions, whether it's picnics, refreshers on the porch or beautiful cakes for parties. In most of these summer berry recipes you can use any kind of berries pretty interchangeably. Your best bet however, is to use similar berries in terms of how sweet or how tart they are. I also love to use mixed berries for the ultimate berry experience, like in this summer berry pavlova or in a cordial.
Without further ado, let's dive into all these refreshing and fragrant summer berry recipes!
1. Cordial (any kind of berries!)
Cordial is the perfect way to preserve a whole bunch of summer berries. Use whatever berries you have on hand, the only difference will be how much sugar you need. My very favorite is blackcurrant and red currants, but raspberries are pretty epic as well. Bonus: You can use cordial in this blackberry martini for summer (or Halloween) and in this warming Nordic gløgg for Christmas! Berry Cordial Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
2. Korean Strawberry Milk
Maybe we could call this Korean Strawberry Milk the summer cousin of the dalgona coffee, made popular during quarantine in 2020. It is a refreshing summer drink bursting with fresh strawberry, and the creaminess of the milk is the perfect addition! Korean Strawberry Milk Recipe from Drive Me Hungry.
3. Strawberry Scones
It's hard to beat a warm strawberry scone drizzled with cream cheese glazing for a decadent afternoon tea or brunch. These scones are crispy on the outside, yet super moist, crumbly and soft on the inside. Adding a punch of fresh strawberries and it's a little piece of heaven right there. Strawberry Scones Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
4. Tutti Frutti Jam
Tutti frutti jam is a delicious blend of all the summer berries. It is a jam made of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries AND blueberries. In the US it is also known as Bumbleberry Jam, what a lovely name! I mean, it doesn't get much more summery than this beautiful jam. Perfect spread for bread or as filling in cakes. Tutti Frutti Jam Recipe from Fab Food 4 All.
5. Blueberry Muffins
One of my favorite things is a soft blueberry muffin with crumb topping on a rainy summer day. There's just something so cozy about it! These muffins can very well benefit from using frozen blueberries as well, so they can be made pretty much all year around too, what a win-win. Blueberry Muffins Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
6. Sparkling Blueberry Mojito Punch
Just 5 easy ingredients and you can have this summer in a glass right there. Packed with blueberry and lime, and of course a festive pour of Prosecco, this is a delicious punch to sip by the pool or on the porch in the shade. Always ready for pitcherful cocktails! Sparkling Blueberry Mojito Punch from Fried Dandelions.
7. Blackberry Balsamic Glaze
Blackberries are so delicious in this sweet and savory combination. You know how strawberries and balsamic work perfectly together? Well, turns out that blackberries are equally delicicious with balsamic, and that is why I made a blackberry balsamic glaze to pour over salads, on chicken, in a blackberry grilled cheese and on roasted brussels sprouts and broccoli. Blackberry Balsamic Glaze Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
8. Cherry Blueberry Popsicles
These Cherry Blueberry Popsicles are an all-natural take on Firecracker and Bomb Pops. Made with fresh fruit and yogurt, they’re an easy Fourth of July dessert or simply a refreshment throughout the summer. Cherry Blueberry Popsicles Recipe from Let's Eat Cake.
9. Cherry Chocolate Cake (aka Black Forest Cake)
Chocolate and cherry are so good together. I remember eating cherry liqueur filled chocolates in Portugal and absolutely loving it. This cake celebrates the romantic combination of fresh cherries, cherry liqueur and delicious chocolate. Decorate it with glass shards and it's a perfectly gory Halloween cake too. Cherry Chocolate Cake Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
10. Raspberry Custard
Fresh raspberries, creamy custard and crystallized ginger makes this dessert a decadent and lovely summer dessert. The fresh fruit, the citrus and the sweet spice work together beautifully and also give this easy-to-make dessert a wonderful texture. Raspberry Custard Recipe from The Spice Train.
11. Red Currant and Lemon Curd Brûlée Tarts
We all know tarts and pies are best during summer because of all the delicious summer berries. I have a ridiculously large red currant bush in my garden, so I always tend to go for those. Raspberries can be used pretty interchangeably (but always recommend wild raspberries because the difference is out of this world). Also: make lava cake with red currant sauce for a romantic dessert. Red Currant and Lemon Curd Brûlée Tarts from Ginger with Spice.
12. Oven Roasted Cherry Chicken
Berries are actually so versatile they work amazingly in savory dishes too. This is a sweet and tart cherry chicken recipe that’s deliciously moist, tender and easily comes together in a single pan celebrating the very best of summer’s cherry bounty! Oven Roasted Cherry Chicken Recipe from Waves in the Kitchen.
13. Homemade Fresh Jello (any berries!)
Whilst cordial is perfect for over ripe berries, you can use younger and perfectly ripe berries in a fresh jello. It is surprisingly healthy as well, with only 3 ingredients. Of course, it will be extra delicious and decadent with a generous pouring of silky smooth crème anglaise though. Fresh Jello Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
14. Alaskan Mixed Berries Cobbler
Berry cobbler is an unpretentious, homey dessert and is made even more rustic when presented in a cast iron skillet! Alaskan Mixed Berry Cobbler with Buttermilk Biscuits is an homage to the plentiful wild berries that abound in Alaska each summer! Alaskan Mixed Berry Cobbler from House of Nash Eats.
15. Simple Blackberry Syrup
Quick and easy way of using a lot of blackberries and it is so versatile too. I love to add it to a blackberry martini, or on these beautiful blackberry and lemon curd pavlova nests. You can also pour it over lemon poppyseed ricotta pancakes or these decadent lemon cream cheese crêpes! Blackberry Syrup Recipe from Ginger with Spice.
16. Strawberry Frosé
A frosé is one of my favorite summer cocktails. It's a grown up slushie, with frozen berries and rosé. I'm not one to turn down a glass of rosé on a hot summer day, but sometimes we just want something even more summery and refreshing. Strawberry Frosé Recipe from Maple and Mango.
17. Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars
These vegan oatmeal bars are a healthy breakfast option with tons of fresh flavor from strawberries and rhubarb. Strawberries and rhubarb are a match made in heaven, there's just something about the sweet and tart combination. Bonus: try my simple rhubarb crisp for a delicious weekend brunch. Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars from Ginger with Spice.
18. Blackberry BBQ Sauce
Isn't this a beautiful mix of sweet and savory? This tangy Blackberry BBQ Sauce includes chipotle chili peppers for a bit of smoky flavor. Easy to make, it’s the perfect condiment for any type of smoked or grilled meat. Blackberry BBQ Sauce Recipe from Biscuits and Burlap.
19. Fresh Strawberry Cake with Lemon Curd
A beautiful layer cake that screams summer! Using a vanilla sponge cake as a base and you can customize your cake according to what fresh berries or other ingredients you may have on hand, although this strawberry and lemon curd combo is pretty darn amazing. Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe on Ginger with Spice.
20. Raspberry Mint Lime Cooler
Refreshing, thirst quenching and delicious! If you multiply the recipe by 6 you can make an entire jug pitcher which will be perfect if you have guests round. And a great drink for a BBQ or outdoor-dining on a hot summer’s day! Raspberry Mint Lime Cooler from Emma Eats and Explores.
21. The Best Summer Berry Pavlova Recipe
Umm so yes, if in doubt, just add tons of berries on a pavlova with creamy vanilla pastry cream. The crispy, gooey meringue, combined with creamy vanilla pastry cream and fresh berries are just so good I could honestly eat the whole cake myself. Strawberries and cream are a match made in heaven right? So no wonder this recipe works out so well. Summer Berry Pavlova Recipe on Ginger with Spice.
22. Strawberry Vinaigrette
This Vegan Strawberry Vinaigrette is a vitamin C-rich salad dressing that is so addictively delicious. It is naturally creamy, sweet and slightly tart and pairs wonderfully with summer salads. Just a few pantry staples and fresh strawberries and you've gotten yourself a beautiful strawberry vinaigrette! Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe on Eating by Elaine.
23. Lemon Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Absolutely love lemon and blueberries together. This is a really easy French toast casserole with a warm blueberry sauce. So delicious for brunch on a rainy summer morning. It is a very valid reason to buy a huge loaf of white bread (save a few slices to make blackberry grilled cheese above). Lemon Blueberry French Toast Casserole from Ginger with Spice.
24. Blackberry Pie
Can't have all the summer berry recipes and not include a berry pie! Here's a beautiful blackberry pie truly bursting of some of the best summer has to offer. Who can say no to a bubbling, juicy blackberry filling and flaky pie crust. Blackberry Pie Recipe from Kristine's Kitchen Blog.
BONUS: Add berries to your salads
You know me, always a bonus recipe at the end! A salad can benefit from sweet and fresh berries to complement all the savory flavors. One of my favorites is this strawberry arugula summer salad (it's also got blueberries!) or this beautiful spinach berry salad. Impress your guests with berries in the salad tonight. Easy and very delicious!
Hope you are full of good ideas on how to use your favorite summer berries! These are my 24 favorite summer berry recipes, and I hope I have inspired you to try something new this year. Don't forget to freeze a bunch of berries so you can use some of these recipes all year round (another bonus: cherry eggnog pavlova for Christmas!). Enjoy!
Did you like this summer berry recipes round-up? Here's more fun recipe round-ups:
- 16 of the Best Burgers to Try this Summer
- 40+ Delicious Freezer Meals and Make Ahead Recipes
- 15 Easy Awesome Recipes I Can Never Get Enough of
- 11 Refreshing Whiskey Cocktails
- 31 Healthy Breakfast Ideas
- 25 Jolly Christmas Cookies Recipes
- 22 Cozy and Warming Fall Drinks
- Complete Thanksgiving for 2 and 7 Ways to Use the Leftovers
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Ravin kumar
Wednesday 24th of June 2020
Thanks for sharing nice recipe! They are great recipe for summer. I want to try all these berry recipes and especially the drinks! Thanks for sharing us.
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Wednesday 24th of June 2020
I love the drinks too! Always craving fun drinks during the summer.
Pam
Friday 19th of June 2020
We feel honored that our blackberry bbq sauce is included in this collection of such fine recipes. I can't wait to go through and try them all!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Saturday 20th of June 2020
No problem Pam, I love savory + blackberries!
CAMILLA HAWKINS
Friday 19th of June 2020
Wow, I want to try all these berry recipes and especially the drinks! Thank you for including my jam:-)
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Friday 19th of June 2020
I am always up for a refreshing drink during the summer! Thank you :)
Jamie
Friday 19th of June 2020
Thanks for including my recipe! All of these look so amazing and just in time for berry season! :)
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Friday 19th of June 2020
No problem, Jamie. The problem is what to make first!