Blackberries are a great medicine if you have a painful or swollen throat, mouth, or gums. Their antioxidant, kidney-toning, and detoxifying properties make them a must-have ingredient when in season. Collect the leaves too, as a blackberry leaf infusion enhances the anti-inflammatory effects further. Serve this detoxifying blackberry lemonade with ice, or as a warm drink if you have a throat condition.
Blackberry Lemonade Recipe
From Neal’s Yard Remedies “Healing Foods”
Recipe serves 2
Ingredients:
- 4 tsp dried blackberry leaves, or 12 fresh leaves
- 10oz blackberries, rinsed
- 2 lemons, juiced, plus a few thin slices for decoration (optional)
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
- To make an infusion with the leaves, boil 10fl oz. of water, pour over the leaves, and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid to use in the lemonade. Discard the leaves.
- Place the blackberries in a food processor or blender and blitz to a pulp. If you don’t like the gritty texture of the seeds in your drink, strain the pulp through a colander and collect the smooth juice.
- Pour the lemon juice, blackberry juice, and 9fl oz. of the blackberry leaf infusion into a jug, add the maple syrup, and stir well.
- Pour into large glasses, decorate each with a slice of lemon, and serve.
