Herbs can lend a refreshing taste to mocktails as well as fresh fruit juices

Mint Mint leaves have a pungent but pleasant menthol flavour, with a sweetish aftertaste. Mint goes well with most fruits, so add this to your guava, peach, apple and sweet lime or pomegranate juice. Always serve chilled.

Basil Fresh green and aromatic basil also offers several benefits. For one, it is an anti-oxidant. It also helps with respiratory problems and indigestion. To use it, simply tear a few basil leaves and add them to your juice. A great morning pick-me-up is chilled orange or watermelon juice with some cinnamon and basil leaves.

Lavender You may not know this, but the herb lavender has a sweet floral aroma and pairs well with mint. The leaves can be used with strawberries, peaches and lemonade gets a nice burst of flavour when you add a few sprigs of fresh lavender to a glass.

Lemongrass This one can be bought at any local market. Aromatic lemongrass not only adds flavour to a soup or hot tea but it's a nice addition to a fresh orange or pear juice. Remember, when you buy lemongrass, ensure its base is intact.

Kaffir lime leaves Tangy kaffir lime leaves can be used to liven up any citrus juice. Just add the leaves on their own or them into smaller pieces.

Source: Times of India

BDST: 1715 HRS, SEP- 21, 2015
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor