Nourish: August Seasonal Water Infusion

The August Blackberry Drink Collection

Three blackberries, three different conversations. Find your favorite — or make all three while the season lasts. It won't last long.

THREE WAYS TO DRINK THE SEASON

Blackberry Mint Cooler Blackberry Sage Infused Water Blackberry Basil Sparkling Water

Blackberry Mint Cooler

Muddled blackberries, fresh mint, a squeeze of lime, and cold sparkling water — bright, immediate, and ready in five minutes.

5 mins prep

0 hours chill

1 glass or 1 pitcher serves

Ingredients

Per glass

• 1/4 cup fresh blackberries
• 6–8 fresh mint leaves
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 tsp honey or simple syrup
• 1 cup cold sparkling water
• Ice, for serving

Per Pitcher

• 1 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
• 20-25 fresh mint leaves
• Juice of 3 limes
• 2-3 Tbsp honey or simple syrup
• 6 cup cold sparkling water
• Ice, for serving

Method

1. 1 Add the blackberries and mint to a glass or pitcher. Muddle firmly until the berries are crushed and the mint is bruised.
2. 2 Add the lime juice and honey and stir to combine.
3. 3 Fill with ice, pour sparkling water over the top, and stir gently once.
4. 4 Garnish with whole blackberries and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.

Britt's note

Strain through a fine mesh sieve for a cleaner, clearer drink.

Works beautifully with a splash of gin or vodka for an evening version.

Blackberry Sage Infused Water

Blackberries and bruised sage steeped in cold still water until the pitcher turns jewel-toned and quietly herbal — the slow one, worth waiting for.

10 mins prep

2-4 minimum hours chill

1 pitcher serves

Ingredients

Per Pitcher

• 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries, lightly crushed
• 6–8 fresh sage leaves, gently bruised
• 1 tbsp honey, dissolved in a splash of warm water
• 8 cups cold still water
• Ice for serving
• Optional: a few thin lemon slices

Method

1. 1 Lightly crush the blackberries in the pitcher with the back of a spoon.
2. 2 Fold the sage leaves gently in your hands to bruise — don't tear or muddle, which makes them bitter.
3. 3 Add the dissolved honey and pour the cold water over the top.
4. 4 Refrigerate for 2–4 hours minimum. Remove the sage after 4 hours if infusing overnight.
5. 5 Serve over ice, strained for a clean drink or as-is for a rustic presentation.

Britt's note

Pull the sage after 4 hours — beyond that it can turn medicinal.

The color deepens beautifully overnight into a deep jewel-toned purple. Keeps for up to 2 days.

Blackberry Basil Sparkling Water

5 mins prep

0 hours chill

1 pitcher serves

Ingredients

Per Pitcher

• 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
• 12–15 fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
• 2 tbsp honey, plus more to taste
• Juice of 1 lime
• 6 cups cold sparkling water
• Ice for serving

Method

1. 1 Add the blackberries and basil to the pitcher. Muddle quickly and firmly — you want juice and fragrance, not pulp. Don't over-muddle the basil or it will turn bitter.
2. 2 Add the honey and lime juice and stir to combine.
3. 3 Pour the cold sparkling water over the top and stir gently once.
4. 4 Taste and adjust honey. Serve immediately over ice — this drink is best within an hour, before the basil oxidizes.

Britt's note

Strain for a clearer drink.

A splash of prosecco in place of some of the sparkling water makes a beautiful summer aperitivo.

Some things are better when they come in threes. A table set for the people you didn't have to invite but did anyway. A round of glasses carried outside without being asked. Three different drinks made from the same fruit because you couldn't decide, and everyone wanted something slightly different, and that turned out to be exactly right. August is the month of showing up for people — in small ways, repeated often. A cold drink made from something you picked yourself, handed to someone without ceremony, is one of the quietest and most genuine ways to do that.

Cook what's in season.

Nourish what you have.

Feed yourself the way you'd feed someone you love.

A deep breath in a beautiful life.

Talk soon.

— Britt