Blackberry and rosemary lemonade

A brief history of blackberries

Blackberries are a common sight in the British countryside, and a popular ingredient in traditional dishes like crumbles and jams. Likewise, today you can harness the fruit’s vibrant color and tangy taste in more modern recipes. From blackberry doughnuts and cheesecake to this blackberry lemonade, there’s an option for every occasion!

There are actually hundreds of different species of blackberry, and the plant grows wild in not only Europe but also Asia and the Americas. Archaeological evidence indicates that humans have been enjoying blackberries for thousands of years. People have found the fruit at Neolithic sites, and even in the stomach of a preserved body dating back to the iron age.(1)

Nestled among thorny brambles, blackberries continue to be a favorite with foragers today. As they ripen, they transform from green to red, purple, and then black – which is when they’re ready to pick.

If you’re interested in harvesting some for your blackberry lemonade, July to September is the best time to do so. According to folklore, you shouldn’t pick blackberries after September 29. That’s because this is the day on which the Archangel Michael defeated Lucifer and banished him from heaven. Lucifer landed in hell on top of a thorny blackberry bush and, in his fury, cursed its fruit.(2)

When foraging for blackberries, look for those which are plump, firm, and shiny. Oh, and when picking them in spots where people walk dogs, it’s wise to avoid those close to the ground! After harvesting, wash your blackberries thoroughly before tucking in. Store them in a dry container and consume them within a day or two. Alternatively, pop your blackberries in the freezer if you want them to last longer. There’s no need to thaw them before using them in recipes like blackberry lemonade.

The blackberry’s impressive health benefits

In addition to being versatile and delicious, blackberries offer some fantastic benefits to our health. Let’s explore how a blackberry lemonade could support your wellbeing.

Blackberries are rich in potent plant compounds called anthocyanins, which are what give the fruit its vivid dark purple hue. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants, helping to protect our cells from the harm caused by free radicals. This damage is known as oxidative stress, and experts have linked it to numerous chronic health conditions.

Studies also show that blackberries have anti-inflammatory properties.(3) This is valuable because research connects chronic inflammation to a multitude of health conditions, from arthritis to type 2 diabetes. Indeed, evidence suggests a diet high in anthocyanins and berries could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 15-18%.(4)

Both the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of blackberries help to protect our cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.(5) Studies suggest that anthocyanins work to both lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. The fact that blackberries are high in vitamin C and potassium further boosts their positive influence on the heart.

Interestingly, treating yourself to a blackberry lemonade could also be beneficial for your brain. For instance, research indicates that the polyphenols wild blackberries contain could have neuroprotective effects.(6) Studies show that anthocyanins may improve memory, attention, and brain processing speed, and perhaps even slow cognitive decline.(7)

Moreover, researchers have discovered that fresh blackberry extracts might help to prevent the spread of cancer.(8) However, further investigation is required to clarify this.

Finally, blackberries may additionally be good for your oral health. Evidence suggests that the fruit has both antibacterial and anti-viral properties, so could be effective against certain tooth infections.(9) Nevertheless, we don’t recommend using blackberry lemonade as a mouthwash!

Diving into our rosemary and blackberry lemonade recipe

As well as being good for you, this rosemary and blackberry lemonade is a wonderfully refreshing pick-me-up on warm days. It’s also quick and easy to make, so you’ll be relaxing with a glass in the garden in no time!

To begin, pop your blackberries in two glasses and gently press them with a drink muddler until they’re smashed. This is a fantastic way to release the fruit’s juices, intensifying both the color and flavor of the blackberry lemonade. To make the most of this, use clear glasses rather than colored ones! And don’t worry if you don't have a muddler – a clean wooden spoon will do the job just as effectively.

After that, pour in the honey and lemon juice. To make your blackberry lemonade strictly plant-based, swap the honey for agave nectar or maple syrup. You can also adjust the amount of liquid sweetener you use to suit your tastes.

Then it’s time to transform the drink into a blackberry and rosemary lemonade with the addition of rosemary herbal water. This brings a fabulous piney fragrance and flavor to the beverage, plus several health benefits of its own. More on those below!

Use a spoon to give the mixture a good stir, and then add the ice cubes to the glasses. Finally, pour the water on top, pop in a straw, and you’re ready to serve! We’ve suggested using filtered water in this blackberry lemonade recipe. However, you can make the drink extra special by choosing sparkling water instead.

You should get a deliciously fruity, eye-catching beverage that fades up from rich black to vibrant red. Don’t spend too long admiring it though, as you want to drink it before the ice melts!

Lemons: adding more than just zesty flavor

Using lemon juice in blackberry lemonade gives the drink a greater depth of flavor and bright hint of citrus. But that’s not the only benefit this ingredient brings. Lemons are also rich sources of key nutrients and plant compounds that can enhance our wellbeing.

Most famously, lemons are fabulous sources of vitamin C. That’s why historically they were a successful treatment against scurvy in sailors. The majority of us don’t need to worry about scurvy these days! However, vitamin C has plenty of other benefits for our health. These include supporting the immune system and improving the condition of our skin.(10)

In addition, the combination of vitamin C and citric acid in lemons has an interesting advantage. It helps us to absorb iron from plant sources more effectively, reducing the risk of developing anaemia.

Lemons could also have a positive influence on our cardiovascular health. Some of the citrus flavonoids they contain – such as hesperidin and naringenin – can improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.(11) This helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Such potent plant compounds may additionally be useful in preventing obesity.(12) In fact, consuming lemon in this rosemary and blackberry lemonade could have extra benefits in this regard. That’s because research suggests drinking water can temporarily increase the number of calories you burn.(13)

Perhaps unsurprisingly given its sunny associations, the scent of lemon can boost our mood. It could help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.(14) That makes a blackberry lemonade the perfect drink for days when you have an important meeting, project or appointment. And the rosemary water we’ve included means this is even more true, as you’ll see below.

Rosemary water: taking your blackberry lemonade to the next level

In our opinion, it’s the rosemary water that elevates this blackberry lemonade to new heights. It adds a characteristic herbal taste enriched with woody undertones, which perfectly complements the tang of the blackberries. Plus, it offers a wealth of potential benefits for your wellbeing.

For example, similar to lemon, inhaling the scent of rosemary can do wonders for your mood. Studies indicate that it could generate confidence and boost positivity, helping you to feel fresh and alert.(15) It might even be an effective way to ease feelings of burnout. As such, treating yourself to a rosemary lemonade is a great choice when you want to add a little cheer to your day.

Moreover, research has found that smelling rosemary may also improve your cognitive performance, enhancing functions like concentration and memory.(16) This could be due to the neuroprotective properties of certain flavonoids in rosemary water, such as rosmarinic acid and apigenin. This makes rosemary lemonade recipes ideal when you’re working from home.

Rosemary water for hair growth

One reason that rosemary water is becoming increasingly popular is thanks to its potential to encourage hair growth.(17) The plant is rich in potent polyphenolic compounds such as carnosic acid and luteolin. These act as antioxidants, protecting your scalp and tresses from oxidative stress. They also possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties, helping to increase blood circulation to the scalp. This ensures your follicles can obtain more oxygen and nutrients, keeping them strong and healthy.

As a bonus, rosemary is naturally antimicrobial and may therefore reduce dandruff and improve the overall health of your scalp.

Of course, to enjoy these benefits, you’ll have to do more than add rosemary to your blackberry lemonade! Try using rosemary water as a hair rinse, or mixing it into your normal shampoo or conditioner.

Alternatively, spritz some directly onto your scalp and gently massage it in. This is particularly beneficial because massaging your scalp is another way to boost circulation to the area. There’s no need to rinse rosemary water out, which means you also get to enjoy its fragrance on your locks!

Say hello to our organic rosemary water

We craft our organic rosemary water using the very finest plants, ethically grown on small farms in Provence, France. The team hand-picks the flowers and leaves, then steam distils them. It takes approximately 1.5kg of rosemary to make one litre of our aromatic rosemary water.

As part of our efforts to minimize our impact on the planet, we ship our herbal water out in environmentally friendly amber glass jars. We’d love it if you could keep this going by reusing or recycling them once they’re empty!

We’re big fans of adding rosemary water to blackberry lemonade, but there are plenty of other recipes you can use it in. If you’re looking for a quick creativity-boosting drink, simply stir a few tablespoons into a glass of sparkling water. Alternatively, mix some into your favorite smoothie or cocktail. The herb’s flavor pairs especially well with citrus fruits like orange and bergamot, along with basil and mint.

In addition to drinks, you can also try using rosemary water in your cooking. It adds a nuanced depth of flavor to soups, stews, risottos, and similar savory dishes. So feel free to experiment! Simply swap a few tablespoons of normal water for herbal water, and see what a delicious difference it can make.

Besides its culinary and haircare applications, you’re able to use rosemary water for a spot of aromatherapy. As an example, pop some into a diffuser and allow it to imbue your home office with its focus-boosting scent. Alternatively, you could spritz some directly onto your furniture or laundry.

Interestingly, rosemary’s naturally antibacterial nature also makes it an effective ingredient in home-made mouthwash. But to reiterate, we don’t advocate using rosemary and blackberry lemonade in this way!

Serving tips for our rosemary and blackberry lemonade

We find this rosemary and blackberry lemonade recipe is a huge hit at summer gatherings. So if you want to scale up the recipe for a special occasion, simply make it in a large serving jug. You could also add some lemon slices for a little texture and extra flavor.

Want something a bit more grown up? Try swapping the water for sparkling wine to create a delicious blackberry and rosemary cocktail. Another alternative is to add a dash of vodka, rum, gin or similar spirit to the mix. Conversely, you could switch the water for lemonade to give the drink extra sweetness. If you do so, we recommend leaving out the honey or agave nectar – otherwise you might find it too sugary.

Once you’ve made this blackberry lemonade a few times, we encourage you to play around with the recipe and really make it your own. For instance, try using lime or orange instead of some of the lemon juice for a more nuanced citrus kick. Likewise, adding raspberries or strawberries to the blackberries gives the drink a beautiful depth of fruity flavor.

And for a finishing touch, why not add a sprig of rosemary to highlight the taste of the herbal water? It’s the perfect way to showcase what makes this blackberry lemonade extra special!