It's essentially a farmers' market shopping requirement to stock up on the season's luscious ripe berries these last few warm-weathered weeks. And sure, you already may use 'em in your a.m. smoothie, but there's a way to incorporate them into your at-home happy hour, too. Leave it to our resident cocktail recipe creator Laura Silverman, founder of The Outside Institute, to come up with a libation that not only has a fruit-forward taste, but is practically overflowing with antioxidants. Behold, the Black Beauty.
"This cocktail plays blackberries' complex sweetness against fruity red vermouth and bright mint," Silverman says. "Vermouth was originally [used] for medicinal purposes—way back in the day—and is still made with a long list of herbs and bittering agents, many of which support the liver and digestive system."
So sure, having this drink sans alcohol would be even better for your body, but as far as cocktails go, this one is pretty darn healthy. And, bonus, the only sweeteners used come straight from the earth.
Scroll down to get the recipe for this fruity gin cocktail.
Black Beauty
Ingredients
7 large ripe blackberries
2 sprigs of mint
1 oz. lime juice
1 1/2 oz. gin
1/2 oz. red vermouth
1/2 oz. honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water shaken together)
Ice
1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the berries and one mint sprig with the lime juice.
2. Add the gin, red vermouth, honey syrup, and plenty of ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Remove and discard the muddled mint sprig, pour the drink into a glass and garnish with the remaining mint sprig.
Each week, The Outside Institute founder Laura Silverman crafts a cocktail recipe just for Well+Good readers using in-season plants and herbs. Bookmark this page for more healthy cocktail ideas.
If you're having cocktail out at the bar, here are the healthiest drinks you can order. Plus, check out these better-for-you mixers to stock your bar cart with.
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