This Swirled Basil Blackberry Mocktail is probably the most stunning healthy mocktail I’ve ever created. It’s the perfect drink for summer that has SO many health benefits, like anti-inflammation, boosting gut health and brain health, and it’s high in fiber which helps keep blood sugar stable. Unlike most mocktail recipes, this functional mocktail aims to do more than just take out the alcohol which is shown to disrupt endocrine systems, hormone levels, and microbiome balance. This easy mocktail recipe is made with just five simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. It’s naturally sweetened with fruit and raw honey, too. It’s the perfect healthy swap that won’t give you FOMO from not drinking alcohol.
This Swirled Basil Blackberry Mocktail tastes SO fresh — like a farmers market in a glass — and so different than anything you’ve had before. And as a functional mocktail, you can brag about all of its ingredients’ science-backed health benefits when you serve it at your next gathering with friends. First, you can hit on the fact that blackberries have a ton of fiber, and since we’re not straining them out, all that wonderful fiber is going straight to your gut. In other words, that’s good bacteria for your gut microbiome to feast on! Blackberries have also been studied to fight inflammation in your body and boost brain health. Then you know I LOVE talking about the health benefits of herbs, and basil is no exception. It contains compounds like eugenol, linalool, and citronellol that also quell inflammation, and has been found in studies to reduce memory loss. You could impress your friends and show them the studies, or you could keep it simple and say it’s good for gut health, brain health, and inflammation!
What are functional mocktails?
If you’ve ever wanted not only to take the alcohol out of delicious cocktails but also add in extra health benefits, you’re going to love my concept of functional mocktails. Despite how alcohol is literally everywhere, anywhere you go, there is an overwhelming amount of research that proves how negative the impacts of alcohol are on our bodies and minds. It feels like no one is talking about this, so earlier this year I did a 3-part podcast series all about it. I interviewed world-class doctors who specialize in gut health, hormones, and cancer, and they shared about the latest science on the effects of alcohol. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I highly encourage you to do so as you’re making this recipe!
All my latest podcast episodes on the health effects of alcohol:
Gut Health and Cancer with Dr. Robynn Chutkan and Dr. William Li
Hormones and Brain Health with Dr. Aviva Romm and Louisa Nicola
How to Drink Less and Have More Fun with Amanda E. White
Ingredients in this healthy basil blackberry mocktail
Besides the obvious basil and blackberry, this swirled mocktail is made creamy with coconut milk, a little sweet with raw honey, and a little zesty with fresh lime. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:
- Lite coconut milk
- Fresh basil leaves
- Honey
- Salt
- Frozen blackberries
- Honey
- Fresh lime juice
How to make this blackberry mocktail
Having some friends over but want to make a fun mocktail on the fly? This recipe (serves 2!) is as easy as making a smoothie. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Boil some water and prep a bowl of ice water. Add the basil to the boiling water and cook for one minute, then transfer it immediately to ice water (this won’t impact flavor, but it will keep the color of the drink bright green!). Blend the basil with coconut milk, honey, and salt until it’s very smooth. Then pour into a glass and set aside.
- Rinse out the blender. Add blackberries, honey, lime juice, salt, and 1/3 cup water and blend it until smooth. Use more water, a splash at a time, if needed to blend, but the mixture should be THICK and barely pourable.
- Pour the basil mixture into 2 cups until about 1/3 of the way full. Add a little blackberry mixture, then the rest of basil mixture, then the rest of blackberry mixture. Swirl very gently, and add a fresh basil garnish.
More functional mocktails to try:
- Canteloupe Mojito Mocktail
- Ginger Citrus Mocktail
- Lemon Thyme Faux-ito
- Watermelon Red Pepper Virgin Margaritas
- Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
Healthy Swirled Basil Blackberry Mocktail
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
BASIL LAYER
- 1 can lite coconut milk
- 1 cup packed basil leaves, woody stems removed
- 1 tbsp honey
- pinch salt
BLACKBERRY LAYER
- 1 10-ounce bag frozen blackberries
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Boil water and prep a bowl of ice water. Add the basil to the boiling water and cook for one minute, then transfer immediately to ice water (this won’t impact flavor, but will keep color of drink bright green!). Blend basil with coconut milk, honey, and salt until very smooth, then pour into glass and set aside.
- Rinse out the blender as to not dilute the colors. Blend blackberries, honey, lime juice, salt, and 1/3 cup water until smooth. Use more water, a splash at a time, if needed to blend, but the mixture should be THICK and barely pourable.
- Pour the basil mixture into 2 different glasses until about 1/3 of the way full. Add a little blackberry mixture, then the rest of the basil mixture, then the rest of the blackberry mixture. Swirl very gently, and add a fresh basil garnish! Enjoy!
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
