Blackberries are one of the last foods you can still pick for free in this country, if you don’t mind a scratched wrist and purple fingers. Late August is when they’re at their best, and the ones that survive the walk home go into this juice with beetroot and apple.
I reach for it on mornings when I need to sit down and concentrate. Beetroot’s nitrates are well studied for blood flow, including to the brain, and the blackberries and apple stop it from tasting like a salad.
Why these ingredients work
Beetroot is the point of this one. Its nitrates convert to nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and helps blood reach the brain, and that link to focus is backed by real research. Blackberries bring anthocyanins, the dark pigments tied to memory in berry studies, plus a solid hit of vitamin C and vitamin K. The apple sweetens everything without burying the flavour, and the lemon keeps it bright.
FAQ
Can I use frozen blackberries?
Yes. Frozen blackberries are picked ripe and frozen quickly, so they’re often better than supermarket fresh ones outside of season. They also make the juice cold without watering it down.
Does the beetroot overpower it?
It’s there but it isn’t loud. The blackberry and apple sit on top of it. If you’re not sure about beetroot, start with half and see how you get on.
How long does it keep?
Best drunk within the hour. The nutrients in beetroot and blackberry juice degrade once it hits the air, so make it fresh. In a sealed jar in the fridge it’ll do a day, but it won’t be as good.
More brain recipes: see the full Brain collection.
Blackberry Beetroot Apple Juice
Equipment
- 1 Juicer or blender and sieve
- 1 Budget cold press juicer a great value alternative
- 1 Budget blender a great value alternative
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups blackberries fresh or frozen
- 1 beetroot scrubbed and quartered
- 1 apple cored and quartered
- 1/2 lemon peeled
Optional
- 1 inch ginger peeled, optional for a bit of warmth
Instructions
Juicer method
- Wash the blackberries and quarter the beetroot and apple so they fit the chute.
- Juice the beetroot first, then the apple, blackberries and lemon. Finish with the ginger if you're using it.
- Stir, pour over ice and serve straight away.
Blender method
- Quarter the beetroot and apple, then blend everything with 120ml of water until smooth.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to get every drop.
- Serve over ice.