Make any occasion feel like a holiday with this light and refreshing Blackberry NOjito Mocktail! Striking the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, this refreshing non-alcoholic drink is based on the classic flavours of a blackberry mojito cocktail. This alcohol-free drink combines the flavours of juicy blackberries with refreshing mint and zesty lime for a vibrant zero-proof drink everyone will love. The recipe makes a pitcher full of mocktails so you’ll have enough to serve a crowd. Ideal for sun filled patio gatherings and winter holiday celebrations, this flavourful mocktail will become a go-to recipe year round!
This Blackberry NOjito contains NO alcohol, but make no mistake, it is still packed with flavour and is every bit as refreshing as a rum-spiked mojito. It’s perfect for summertime barbecues and easy afternoon gatherings, but I usually make it around the holidays so my non-drinking friends, the designated drivers and the teenagers have something special to drink at the party. During the summer, blackberries are at their peak and our local farm stand brims with juicy, local berries. Around the holidays though, citrus is coming in to season and the limes are plump and vibrant. The ingredients for this mocktail are available in most grocery stores year-round, so there’s no bad time to whip up a pitcher. The beautiful colour makes a striking presentation that will be sure to impress!
What goes in Blackberry Mojito Mocktails?
- Fresh Mint and Sugar: The first step is making a Blackberry Mojito Mocktail is preparing the mint flavoured simple syrup with fresh mint leaves, sugar and water. Simply bring these ingredients to a simmer in a pot to dissolve the sugar, then allow the mint leaves to infuse the simple syrup with delicious mint flavour, while the mixture steeps and cools.
- Blackberries: Choose ripe, plump blackberries for the best flavour. Most grocery stores carry fresh blackberries year round, so this beverage can be made as easily for a backyard barbecue in July as it can be for a holiday cocktail party.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice will make all the difference in this drink. Zesty lime juice is the perfect counterpoint to the sweet simple syrup and blackberries.
- Sparkling Water: Sparkling water adds effervescence without additional sugar. Add as much or as little as you like to achieve the perfect concentration.
- Lime Wheels, Additional Fresh Mint Leaves and Additional Blackberries (optional): This mocktail is delicious served over ice, fresh from the pitcher, without adding anything else. To increase the oohs and ahhs, go ahead and garnish each glass with fresh lime wheels, mint leaves and a few extra blackberries.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
SERVING SUGGESTIONSThe cool, minty, sweet and tart flavours of this drink pair well with a variety of foods. I love this blackberry mojito mocktail with grilled fish and seafood, especially grilled fish tacos. This refreshing drink also pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired dishes, such as my current favourites, Fresh Spring Roll Noodle Salad and Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps. I love a NO-jito as an alcohol-free option for cocktail hour, pairing it with casual appetizers such as chips and Guacamole (Hint: That’s the recipe for my famous Crowd Favourite Guacamole). A blackberry mojito mocktail also makes an elegant non-alcoholic sipper for a cocktail party, pairing with all kids of savoury and salty bites.
Blackberry NOjito Mocktail (Non Alcoholic Mojito)
Made with juicy blackberries, fresh lime juice and a cooling mint simple syrup, this alcohol-free mocktail is a refreshing drink perfect for both adults and kids!
Ingredients
Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves packed
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Mocktail
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 cups sparkling water (plus more to taste)
- Lime wheels, fresh mint leaves and additional blackberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
To Make the Simple Syrup
- Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a medium size pot with a heavy bottom. Use a muddler or a wooden spoon to crush the mint. Add the sugar and 1 cup of water to the pot, then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar is fully dissolved remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep in the pot until cooled to room temperature. Strain the cooled syrup through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the solids with a spoon to extract as much of the liquid as possible. Discard the solids and transfer the syrup to a jar with a tight fitting lid. Chill in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Make the Blackberry NOjito
- In the bottom of a large pitcher that holds at least 8 cups, crush the blackberries with a muddler or wooden spoon. Pour in the chilled mint syrup and fresh lime juice and stir to combine. Top with 6 cups of sparkling water and stir gently. Add additional sparkling water to taste. Fill serving glasses with ice. Add a couple of lime wheels to each glass (if using). Pour the NOjito over the ice and garnish each glass with fresh mint and blackberries(optional). Serve immediately.
RECIPE NOTES
- This blackberry mojito mocktail is best enjoyed shortly after preparation, but you can combine the muddled blackberries, lime juice and mint simple syrup ahead of time. Add the sparkling water just before serving to preserve the fizz.
