blackberry basil manischewitz mojitos.
Yup. Try saying that three times fast!
Today is Cocktail Friday: The Passover Edition!
I’ve always had a soft spot for Manischewitz, the syrupy-sweet berry flavored wine that’s a staple at any Jewish holiday meal. I had my first taste at a Passover seder when I was about seven, and I’ve been smitten ever since.
As far as I know, there are four different flavors of Manischewitz: blackberry, cherry, concord grape and elderberry. They’re all tasty, but for me, blackberry wins. Always. It tastes just like blackberry jam!
…Although I must say that equal parts blackberry and concord grape is close second. I’ve done quite a few experiments. I consider myself a pioneer in the burgeoning field of Manischewitz wine research. Science!
So. Manischewitz is really sweet stuff. I happen to love it, but I’m a big fan of sweet wines. You can always make like an 80′s housewife and add some seltzer for a nice little Seder Spritzer.
Or, you could make this year’s seder a bit more cosmopolitan and serve these blackberry basil manischewitz mojitos! Look at how fancy you are.
Note: these mojitos aren’t meant at all to replace or stand in for the traditional cups of wine served at a seder! These are much better suited for pre or post seder enjoyment, mmkay?
I’ve replaced the traditional mint in a mojito with basil, because I love the herbaceous, earthy tones it lends to the drink. Fresh blackberries, basil, natural cane sugar and plenty of fresh lime are muddled together and topped off with white rum, Manischewitz and a splash of seltzer for an effervescent finish. Oh yes.
Are you more partial to cherry Manischewitz? That’s cool. Substitute fresh cherries, maybe some kaffir lime leaves and you’ve got yourself a damn fine play on a cherry limeade.
And hey. I should warn you that these blackberry basil Manischewitz mojitos are pretty potent beverages, so feel free to cut back on the amount of rum or add a bit more sugar if need be.
Cheers, lovelies!
Blackberry Basil Manischewitz Mojitos
Yield: 1 mojito
this recipe can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled to serve a crowd!
Ingredients:
5 fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon natural cane sugar
5-6 fresh basil leaves, washed and torn
1 ounce white rum
1 ounce Manischewitz blackberry wine
seltzer, to top offDirections:
Combine the blackberries, lime juice, sugar and basil in the bottom of a clean high ball glass.
Muddle the ingredients together until the berries have been crushed. You can use the back of a spoon or a muddler.
Add crushed ice halfway up the glass, and add the rum and Manischewitz wine, stirring to combine.
Top off with seltzer, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Enjoy!
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I'm a food writer, baker, grad student, photographer and perpetual daydreamer who feels most at home in the kitchen...as long as I'm not doing the dishes! I have an amazing husband, two adorable dogs, and a penchant for butter and sugar. I just love sharing my kitchen adventures, silly stories and recipes with you! 
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Shaina — March 30, 2012 @ 4:02 pm
These look absolutely divine. The muddled blackberries have me weak in the knees.
DessertForTwo — March 30, 2012 @ 6:00 pm
Do I have to celebrate Passover to partake? These look fabulous!! I always see that wine in the grocery store and want to buy it. Maybe I will!
Kathryn — March 31, 2012 @ 5:08 am
Love the basil in here, it works so well with blackberries.
Aggie — April 1, 2012 @ 9:46 am
This is awesome in so many ways!!! It looks a little different here, I love it!!
Alison @ ingredients, Inc. — April 1, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
wow great idea!
Passover Cooking « Sarah Elana — April 2, 2012 @ 4:58 am
[...] via Food Plus Words [...]
jen @ one curly fry — April 2, 2012 @ 10:13 am
Mmm, I would totally throw a few of these back! Love the colors!
Russell at Chasing Delicious — April 2, 2012 @ 3:06 pm
I just did mint and blackberry! Yum. I love berries with basil or mint. And what a recipe you’ve got here. I will take a dozen… and then a cab home.
foodwanderings — April 4, 2012 @ 9:56 am
Love this! Made my morning. Discovered you on Pinterest and love those doggie biscuits too!
Betsy — April 4, 2012 @ 11:59 pm
From the Manischewitz page – elderberry is yummy too!
Concord Grape
A sweet but balanced wine with a generous mouth feel. The distinct aroma and flavor of fresh Concord grapes.
Blackberry
100% Blackberry wine with the aromas and flavors of blackberry jam.
Cherry
A full-bodied sweet but balanced wine. Aroma and taste is reminiscent of fresh baked cherry pie.
Extra Heavy Malaga
A specially sweetened fruity wine with a generous mouth feel. The distinct aroma and flavor of fresh Concord grapes.
Elderberry
A hearty red wine bursting with the aroma and flavor of Elderberry pie.
Medium Dry Concord
A semi-sweet wine with a generous mouth feel. A bold concord wine, exploding with grape flavor.
Loganberry
A hearty red wine bursting with the flavors and aromas of fresh Loganberries.
Creams & Cordials
Cream White Concord
A sweet wine with a pleasant mouth feel and a smooth aftertaste. A smooth fruity wine with plenty of grape flavor and a subtle aroma of confectionery flavors.
Cream Red Concord
A sweet but balanced wine with a velvety mouth feel. The distinct aroma and flavor of fresh Concord grapes with confectionery notes.
Cream Peach
A sweet wine with a pleasant mouth feel and a smooth finish. A smooth creamy peach flavor, bursting with the taste of fresh peaches.
melissa — March 25, 2013 @ 10:17 am
can this be made in bulk? in a pitcher ahead of time?
they look beautiful and delicious
melissa — March 25, 2013 @ 11:16 am
nevermind… it says recipe can be doubled/tripled/quadrupled right at the top!
trying this tonight, thank you!
melissa — March 27, 2013 @ 12:47 pm
these were GREAT. I used the regular concord grape flavor because I couldn’t find the blackberry, it was still really good. big hit at the seder! loved the basil and blackberry combination. will try it w/o manischewitz for summer.