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Monk Fruit, Siraitia grosvenorii, a perennial from the cumber and melon family, is a vine fruit native to southern China and northern Thailand. The dried fruit extract is 250 times sweeter than sugar and is now commonly used as a sugar alternative. It has 0 calories, 0 carbs and does not raise glucose (sugar) levels in the blood. You can often find it blended with erythritol, a sugar alcohol. I chose to use pure organic monk fruit for this recipe because erythritol, while not bad necessarily, does have a side effect of bloating and gas, and no one needs any more of that during a holiday dinner! Monk fruit has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, called Luo Han Guo, for cough, sore throat, and reducing phlegm.
Animal studies from the last decade (1) show that monk fruit benefits may include:
lower cholesterol and blood sugar
antibacterial
antioxidant
anti-cancer
anti-inflammatory
cough reducing
immunomodulating
liver protective
Monk fruit is named after the monks who discovered it. Some do find there to be an aftertaste with monk fruit. For me, this aftertaste is very mild, nothing compared to stevia or other toxin-laden alternative sweeteners that I avoid at all costs. The biggest downside I have found with monk fruit is the price. It is a special occasion use item for me. But putting together this recipe was still cheaper than a nice bottle of wine.
In addition to monk fruit, I have also included a Bach Flower Essence. Bach Flower Essences are similar to homeopathic remedies, created by Edward Bach, an English homeopath, in the 1930s. Flower essences are a type of plant medicine that works energetically with emotions. Do note that Bach Flower Essences are made with brandy, so if you want to keep this recipe completely non-alcoholic, you would like to omit this. However, because of the interesting paradox that flower essences are more potent the more diluted they are, you will only be adding three droplets of the essence. In this recipe, you will find Holly Bach Flower Remedy. Holly flower essence helps cultivate compassion not only for yourself but also for others. It is meant to help support a generous heart, reduce feelings of malice and jealousy, and open your mind to the lifestyle choices of others without judgment. *pours holy flower essence over the entire world.
Herbal Mock-tail/ Cocktail for the Holidays with Fresh Cranberry and Basil
Ingredients
2.5 C fresh or frozen cranberries
6 -10 fresh basil leaves plus a little top leaf cluster for the garnish
2 C water
1 cup of granular monk fruit (find it here)
Sparkling water (I used this one)
3 drops Holly Bach Flower Recipe (find it here)
Ice
Directions
- Add cranberries, basil and 1 cup of water to a blender and blend until all ingredients are completely pulverized into a juice.
- Add this juice blend to a small sauce pan and place over medium-high heat.
- Add granular monk fruit.
- When it starts to bubble bring it down to a simmer and stir for 3 minutes or until monk fruit is dissolved.
- Remove from heat, and allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Strain through cheese cloth to remove the pulp.
- In a glass add desired amount of ice and sparkling water and then pour 3 or more tablespoons (to your desired taste) of cranberry basil simple simple syrup.
- Add 3 drops (not dropper-fulls, just drops) of Holly Bach Flower Recipe
- Stir
- Add basil leaves to garnish
- Enjoy!
Let me know in the comments what you think! If you make this recipe, post a photo on Instagram and tag me, @stratumaestheics!
Studies Cited
- Chun Li, Lin L-M, Sui F, et al. Chemistry and pharmacology of Siraitia grosvenorii: a review. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. 2014;12(2):89-102 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24636058/.
