Looking for a refreshing adult beverage? This Bubbly Berry Basil Beverage has juicy June berries and basil with a delicious rose bubble. Perfect for a patio refreshment, wine Wednesday, champagne brunch… or just because. We love wine, and it is paleo-ish. Check out our Sangria recipes as well! Paleo Sangria and White Peach Sangria.
I used to be active. Before this constant fatigue; I would do things. Hot yoga 6 times a week? Yeah, I did that. Zumba and dance classes, sure! Hours spent riding a mountain bike every weekend? Heck yes. Somewhere along the way I burned out, my body stopped working the way it is supposed to; maybe the stress of my everyday life and compulsive exercise has caught up with me? I feel old. Sometimes I forget that I am lethargic and slow now and commit to doing things like a yoga workshop, or a bike ride. Now don't get me wrong, it is important for me to exercise, make time for and get out there, to do some light exercise. My thyroid can't be completely to blame for the weight gain I have experienced the last few months. (Although that would be much easier!! 20 lbs since January 🙁 ).
I decided I would go on a girls bike ride and wine tour. I committed weeks ago, and as it rapidly approached I did nothing in preparation. I procrastinated. I didn't find my bike shorts (with the awesome chamois in the sensitive spot), I didn't air out my camelback, or take my bike for a tune-up. The Monday before the Sunday ride, I started to panic, I took my bike in for a checkup, and pedal change. I bought a new helmet, but was confident that everything would be fine. I picked up my bike Saturday late afternoon, adjusted the seat, and then figured the next day would be fine. I mean, it was a long ride, but it was all downhill. The fact that I hadn't ridden more than an hour in the last 4 years didn't even cross my mind. The morning of the ride I panicked, I couldn't find my bike shorts, I didn't know which water bottle fit in my holder, I saw and then forgot about my bike gloves. I couldn't find any sunscreen, I didn't pack a snack. Or enough water. There was no quick food at my house for breakfast. I was failing. Weeks to prepare, and I sucked. I made it out the door and met with my girlfriend, Kimber. Luckily she had me covered, with a tool and some extra gloves, she put on sunscreen for me where I couldn't reach, she packed a snack and extra water. Instead of driving; we rode to the pickup point. It was slightly uphill most of the way, and less than 10 K (5ish miles). I was winded, and mouth breathing and I was hit with the realization of how desperately out of shape I am. I was huffing, puffing, shaking and on the verge of whining.
I started to complain, I wasn't sure I would make it, my legs were shaking, and I was parched. We weren't even at the pick-up point yet, we still had an hour-long shuttle and a 3-hour ride back. I was going to die. And if I didn't die, my friend was going to kill me to stop the whining. We made it to the shuttle pick up, and we had about 40 minutes to rest and visit with the other girls. Kimber gave me a cookie, and I had a chance to re-apply some sunscreen.
It was a gorgeous day, unseasonably warm topping out at 32 F in early June, the ride up was pretty, and we chatted with the other girls in the van, 13 of us in total. We started our ride down, and I felt comfortable, my bike riding great, the air smelled like forest and wild roses, and the sun was shining. We had decided to forgo the wine touring to get some stuff done in the afternoon, the ride was going to take a little over 3 hours. Of course, it took longer… it's hard to keep a pace with 13 people with different kinds of bikes and skill levels. Around halfway we stopped and explored some old rail tunnels. The trail we were riding was an easy 2% downhill grade, having been an old railroad converted to a trail. It was really pretty, but by half-way, my shaky legs were still shaky, the sun was hot and I was sure I had sweated off most of my sunscreen. My water was more than halfway gone. My poor saddle felt bruised and numb all at the same time. On top of it all the trail got really rough and bumpy. I had to remember to breathe and enjoy the scenery. Being angry because the trail was trail-like was not rational. It's like getting angry because the ocean is salty, or that there are bugs outside. Or that your 36-pack of beer is too heavy (like the guy at work a few weeks ago).
I rode by myself for a while, soaking in the sights and smells, breathing thru the anger. I wonder if part of the anger was at myself for not riding my bike more? I feel like I've “Let myself go”. At the end of my day, I have nothing left. It is really hard not to beat myself up, I have to remember to be compassionate to myself, even more than others.
All-in-all I made it home, 52 km in one day, more biking than I had done in the last 5 years combined, and my taint 2 weeks later is totally back to normal!! After the day biking, this Bubbly Berry Basil Wine Cocktail would have been the perfect treat!
Bubbly Berry Basil Beverage
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
This Bubbly Berry Basil Beverage has refreshing June berries and basil with a delicious rose bubble. Perfect for a patio refreshment, wine Wednesday, champagne brunch… or just because.
Ingredients
- 1 750 ML sparkling rose wine (we used Ruffino Rose).
- 1 cup fresh or frozen berries, strawberry or raspberry
- 12 large basil leaves
- Ice
- 4 glasses
Instructions
- Place 2 basil leaves in the glass and press gently to release the aroma and oils in the basil leaf.
- Place berries in the bottom of each glass, press gently releasing the juices in the berries.
- Half fill each glass with ice.
- Slowly pour the Rose over the ice until glass is 2/3rds full.
- Float the remaining berries and basil leaf on the top.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Don't want to water down your bubbly? Freeze your berries and omit the ice!
Looking for a non-alcoholic treat? Use seltzer or soda water instead of rose wine.
- Prep Time: 2 min
- Category: Beverage
This looks SO refreshing!
Thanks Renee! I would go so great with your latest recipe for strawberry rhubarb mini galette! http://www.raisinggenerationnourished.com/2016/06/strawberry-rhubarb-mini-galettes/
Good for you Holley! As someone who was an endurance junkie most of my life, I never thought I would experience the day when I would not jump out of bed to go for a run before work. But life is like that, two kids and a so so job with an obsessive caffeine addiction just about sucked all the wind out of my sails for about 3 years. I have found meditation to be a real life saver, I had no idea how my subconscious mind was so mean to me! Hearing all this mind chatter was quite liberating. The way I see my down time now, is that it happen FOR me, not TO me, like a victim. This gave me a reason to try some self love and to really reach deep to give me some more me time, just what I needed! So I am easing back into exercise now, but with the approach that I am so greatful to be alive and feel all the wonderful sensations when I go out – the beauty of nature, breeze on my face, warm sun on my skin, endorphins giving me a lift, even the soreness in my muscles, I am alive and mobile, it is the best feeling in the world. So cheers and I raise a glass of this awesome bubbly drink to you! 🙂
Aimee yes! Thank you for the comment, that internal negative chatter is hard to ignore, I am resolving to take time to myself, and get out and exercise. And NOT be a victim. You are the BEST. Cheers to you!!