Purple Cabbage & Blueberry Drink

Makes: about 4–6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Simmer: 15–20 minutes

Ingredients

4 cups chopped red/purple cabbage
1–1½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
5 cups water
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
2–3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
½–1 teaspoon whole cloves, optional
Fresh mint, optional
Lemon slices and ice, for serving

Directions

Wash the cabbage and blueberries thoroughly. Roughly chop the cabbage.
Put the cabbage, water, and optional cloves into a large saucepan.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12–15 minutes.
Add the blueberries during the final 5 minutes. Gently crush a few berries with a spoon.
Remove from the heat and let it cool for 10–15 minutes.
Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl or pitcher. Press the solids gently to extract the liquid.
While the liquid is still warm, stir in the honey until dissolved.
Once it has cooled further, stir in the lemon juice. The lemon will make the purple color brighter because red-cabbage pigments respond to acidity.
Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
Serve over ice with lemon slices and fresh mint.

Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within about 3–4 days for best quality.

Important: Enjoy it as a food/beverage, not as a painkiller or treatment for arthritis or rheumatic disease. Persistent or severe joint or muscle pain deserves medical evaluation rather than relying on this drink.

Nutrition Info — Q&A

Q: How many calories are in one serving?
A: Approximately 60–75 calories per serving, assuming 5 servings and 2–3 tablespoons of honey.

Q: Is it high in sugar?
A: Most of the sugar comes from the blueberries and honey. You can reduce the honey or omit it to lower the sugar.

Q: Does it contain protein?
A: Very little—approximately 1 g or less per serving.

Q: Is it a good source of vitamin C?
A: Yes. Purple cabbage, blueberries, and lemon contribute vitamin C.

Q: What gives it the purple color?
A: Purple cabbage and blueberries contain anthocyanins, natural pigments with antioxidant properties.

Q: Is it a treatment for arthritis or joint pain?
A: No. Although the ingredients provide beneficial nutrients and plant compounds, there isn’t good evidence that this drink acts as a painkiller or cures rheumatic disease.

Q: Can I make it without honey?
A: Yes. Leaving out honey significantly reduces the added sugar and calor

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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.