This “sangria” is cool, colorful, and effortlessly refreshing. It combines the bold flavor of juicy blackberries with fresh herbs and tea for a drink that’s as beautiful as it isbrain-friendly. Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ, lounging on the patio, or just looking for a smarter seasonal sip, this is the perfect summer beverage to enjoy under the sun. You can easily use rooibos or a fruity tea, such as peach or raspberry, for an alcohol-free brain beverage.
Beyond the flavor, this drink is packed with powerful nutrients. Blackberries deliver anthocyanins and quercetin, antioxidants shown to enhance memory, protect neurons from oxidative stress, and improve blood flow to the brain. A drizzle of honey adds natural sweetness and a dose of apigenin, which helps with improved moodand support for getting deeper, more restful sleep. And depending on your tea choice, whether green or black, you’ll also be getting catechins for inflammation control and L-theanine to promote calm, focus, and mental clarity.
In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups of the blackberries, 1 cup of the basil leaves, the water and honey. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Let cool and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup. You should have roughly 1 cup of syrup.
In a serving pitcher, combine the blackberry syrup, tea, and sparkling water.
Add the limes slices, remaining 1/2 cup basil leaves, remaining 1 cup blackberries, and ice.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Note
Created by Laura Morris CPT and Jennifer Ventrelle RD
This recipe was created by Laura Morris, a multifaceted professional chef, certified nutrition consultant, and personal trainer, along with Jennifer Ventrelle, NeuroReserve medical advisor and a registered dietitian and Assistant Professor at Rush University. Jennifer is also the lead dietitian for major prevention studies like the U.S. POINTER Study on cognitive decline. Together they co-authored the published book ‘The Official MIND Diet’ – a comprehensive “instruction manual” on how to seamlessly integrate the MIND diet into our everyday lives. They have also created MIND Diet programs to help others make brain healthy living and eating a core piece of their routine, with step-by-step guidance. These delicious dishes and tools they created not only aid in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's but also support weight loss goals.
We at NeuroReserve are committed to equipping you with the diet and nutrition you need for lasting brain health. As you make progress with your diet, our product RELEVATE can help fill in the gaps where your diet falls short. RELEVATE is designed upon the framework of the evidence-backed Mediterranean and MIND diets, and includes 17 nutrients for long-term brain health. Click here to learn more about RELEVATE.
