---
title: "Nootropic Mocktails: Support Memory and Focus with Summer Sippers"
description: With summer on the horizon, we are beginning to plan for refreshing mocktails. This year, we’re all about infusing nootropic herbs for brain support!
image: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/NootropicMocktails_Header-1.jpg
---

[Our Blog

](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us)

#### [RECIPES & DIY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/recipes)

#### [GREEN LIVING](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/green-living)

#### [HERBALISM](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalism)

#### [AROMATHERAPY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/aromatherapy)

#### [BODY CARE](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/natural-body-care)

#### [MORE TOPICS...](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us)

# Nootropic Mocktails: Support Memory and Focus with Summer Sippers

[![A colorful photo of four glasses of Nootropic Mocktails with focus on a blue glass of the Brain Rain Mocktail. The glasses are surrounded by bilberries, butterfly pea flowers, strawberries, and limes with out of focus florals in the background. The Brain Rain Mocktail is garnished with a metal straw, fresh mint, and a slice of lime.](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NootropicMocktails_BrainRain.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=NootropicMocktails_BrainRain.jpg)](https://mountainroseherbs.com/butterfly-pea-flowers)

With summer on the horizon, my mixologist husband has started to plan for our [annual hot-weather mocktails](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/berry-summer-mocktail-recipe-with-cooling-herbs?hsLang=en-us). He often has a theme in mind. For the last couple of years, he’s been working on [functional fizzy drinks](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/use-herbal-extracts-and-syrups-to-make-3-refreshing-fizzy-drinks?hsLang=en-us) that are refreshing and match our wellness goals. This year—maybe because we are at an age where we’re starting to think more about ways to support our remaining brain plasticity and cognitive faculties—he’s focusing on herbs with nootropic properties that support the brain. So far, he has come up with two keepers using brain-friendly herbs that are going to make my patio afternoons delightful this summer.

Psychologist and chemist Corneliu Giurgea coined the term *nootropics* in 1972. A combination of the Greek words *nous* (meaning mind/thought/intelligence) and *tropein* (meaning to monitor or to turn), it describes substances that can support cognition and brain function without side effects. Originally, nootropic was associated with pharmaceuticals, but now also includes natural foods, supplements, etc. that support cognitive function, including herbs, berries, mushrooms, and more. Nootropics can help with things like mental clarity, learning, memory, focus, and concentration.

## **Some of Our Favorite Nootropic Herbs**

[**Brahmi**](https://mountainroseherbs.com/brahmi)—*Bacopa monnieri’s *scientific name translates to “energy of universal consciousness.” Also known as bacopa, brahmi is one of the most beloved nootropic herbs. It has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to support brain function. It contains bacosides and is thought to help brain cells fend off oxidative stress. [Studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589635/%23:~:text=%255B3%255D%255B2%255D%2520The,and%2520anxiety%2520reduction%2520with%2520Bacopa.) have shown improvements in verbal learning, word recall, memory acquisition, and more.*

[**Gotu Kola**](https://mountainroseherbs.com/gotu-kola)—*Centella asiatica* has been utilized for thousands of years in Asian medicine and Ayurveda for its overall support of cognitive health and its positive effect on memory and focus. It was called “the fountain of life” in the Chinese *Shennong Herbal* (1st-2nd century CE). Gotu Kola is packed with nutrients that support connective tissue health and blood flow to the brain.

Caution: If you are taking sedative medications, speak with your physician before using gotu kola.

[**Ginkgo Leaf**](https://mountainroseherbs.com/ginkgo-leaf)—*Ginkgo biloba *contains flavonoids and terpenoids that help support blood flow to the brain and help brain cells protect themselves from oxidative stress. Ginkgo is widely used in Asian medicine to support overall cognitive health, memory, and focus. 

Caution: If you have a coagulation disorder, speak with your physician before using ginkgo leaf.**

[**Holy Basil, Rama**](https://mountainroseherbs.com/rama-holy-basil)—*Ocimum tenuiflorum* is a revered herb in Ayurvedic medicine, known as “the incomparable one” and described as a pillar of holistic herbal medicine. Holy basil contains brain-supporting magnesium and flavonoids and can also assist in managing cortisol levels, which in turn improves mental clarity. 

Caution: If you are pregnant or nursing a child, speak with your physician before using holy basil.

[![A colorful photo of four glasses of Nootropic Mocktails with focus on a pink glass of the Lemon Love Berry Mocktail. The glasses are surrounded by bilberries, butterfly pea flowers, strawberries, and lemons with out of focus florals in the background.](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NootropicMocktails_LoveBerry.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=NootropicMocktails_LoveBerry.jpg)](https://mountainroseherbs.com/bilberry)

### Nootropic Mocktail Recipes

## Lemon Love Berry Mocktail

*Makes about 1 cup herb-infused syrup, enough for four 8-10 oz. drinks.*

**Ingredients**

- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar or honey, or to taste
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped [organic rosebuds](https://mountainroseherbs.com/rose-buds) or [rose petals](https://mountainroseherbs.com/pink-rose-petals) (Chop or grind before measuring. Don’t turn into powder.)
- 2 1/2 tsp. [organic gotu kola](https://mountainroseherbs.com/gotu-kola)
- 1 1/2 tsp. [organic lemon balm](https://mountainroseherbs.com/lemon-balm) or[ lemon verbena](https://mountainroseherbs.com/lemon-verbena)
- 2 tsp. [organic bilberries](https://mountainroseherbs.com/bilberry) or dried blueberries, coarsely chopped
- Sparkling water
- Fresh lemons
- Fresh berries for garnish, optional

**Directions**

1. Combine water, sugar, and herbs in a pot over low heat. Heat slowly, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar, for 10 minutes. Keep heat at about 180°F. Don’t boil.
2. Take off the heat, put on a lid, and set aside for 10 minutes. 
3. Strain through cheesecloth to remove herbs.
4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to thoroughly chill. Store this low-sugar simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to one week.
5. When ready to make mocktails, fill an 8-10 oz. tumbler with ice.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup chilled herbal simple syrup over the ice.
7. Top off the glass with sparkling water.
8. Cut a lemon in half. Squeeze one half on top and gently stir in.
9. Cut the remaining lemon half into slices. Garnish with a lemon slice and optional berries.

## Brain Rain Mocktail 

*Makes about 1 cup herb-infused syrup, enough for four 8-10 oz. drinks.***

**Ingredients**

- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup organic sugar or honey, or to taste
- 1 TB. finely chopped [organic butterfly pea flower ](https://mountainroseherbs.com/butterfly-pea-flowers)(Chop or grind before measuring. Don’t turn into powder.)
- 1 1/2 tsp. [organic ginkgo leaf](https://mountainroseherbs.com/ginkgo-leaf)
- 1 1/2 tsp. [organic spearmint](https://mountainroseherbs.com/spearmint-leaf)
- 1 tsp. [organic brahmi](https://mountainroseherbs.com/brahmi)
- 1 tsp. [organic holy basil ](https://mountainroseherbs.com/rama-holy-basil)(we’re using Rama here, but choose your favorite)
- Sparkling water
- Fresh organic lime
- Fresh organic mint leaves for garnish, optional

**Directions**

1. Combine water, sugar, and herbs in a pot over low heat. Heat slowly, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar, for 10 minutes. Keep heat at about 180°F. Don’t boil.
2. Take off the heat, put on a lid, and set aside for 10 minutes.
3. Strain through cheesecloth to remove herbs.
4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to thoroughly chill. Store this low-sugar simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to one week.
5. When ready to make mocktails, fill an 8-10 oz. tumbler with ice.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup chilled herbal simple syrup over the ice.
7. Top off the glass with sparkling water.
8. Cut the lime into quarters. Squeeze 1/4 lime on top and gently stir. 
9. Garnish with 1/4 ice and optional mint leaves.

 

### Want to set yourself up for easy mocktail making?

## [Learn how to Build a Home Mocktail Bar (with Recipes)!](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/how-to-build-a-home-mocktail-bar-with-mocktail-recipes?hsLang=en-us)

 

You may also enjoy:

- [Berry Summer Mocktail Recipe with Cooling Herbs](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/how-to-build-a-home-mocktail-bar-with-mocktail-recipes?hsLang=en-us)
- [Minty Lemongrass Oxymelt & Summer Mocktail Recipe ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/minty-lemongrass-oxymel-and-summer-mocktail-recipe?hsLang=en-us)
- [Tulsi Sipping Vinegar Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/holy-basil-sipping-vinegars?hsLang=en-us)

[![A photo of two sets of each nootropic mocktail glass surrounded by plants, herbs, and berries. The photo has the text "Nootropic Mocktails: Support Your Brain Health This Summer" and a Mountain Rose Herbs logo at the bottom.](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NootropicMocktails_PIN.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=NootropicMocktails_PIN.jpg)](https://www.pinterest.com/mtnroseherbs/)

 

---

 Topics: [Recipes](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/recipes), [Herbalism](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalism), [Tea & Herbal Drinks](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/tea-herbal-drinks)

![Heidi](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Passionflower.jpg)

### Written by [Heidi](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/author/heidi) on May 22, 2024

Heidi is an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. She has been honored to receive a number of literary prizes including the esteemed Pushcart Prize and an Individual Artists Award in Creative Writing from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She is proud to have earned a certificate of completion for the Herbal Medicine Making Course at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. When she isn’t working in the garden, cleaning the henhouse, preserving food, crafting herbal formulations, or writing and editing content for really fantastic small businesses, you’ll likely find her with her nose in a book.

---

#### WELCOME

## We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

[![Facebook Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Facebook.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/MountainRoseHerbs/) [![Instagram Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Instagram.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/mountainroseherbs/) [![YouTube Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/YouTube.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/user/mountainroseherbs) [![TikTok Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/TikTok.png) ](https://www.tiktok.com/@mountainroseherbs) [![Pinterest Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Pinterest.png) ](https://www.pinterest.com/mtnroseherbs/_created/) [![Linkedin Link](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-rose-herbs)

[![New MRH journal](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/journal.jpg?width=793&name=journal.jpg "New MRH journal")](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/free-journal?hsLang=en-us)

### Enjoy Some of Our Most Popular Blogs

### Explore Our Recent Podcasts

### Discounts + Free Recipes

- [![facebook](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/facebook.svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/MountainRoseHerbs/)
- [![pinterest](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/pinterest.svg) ](https://www.pinterest.com/mtnroseherbs/)
- [![youtube](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/youtube.svg) ](https://twitter.com/mtnroseherbs/)
- [![instagram](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/instagram.svg) ](https://www.instagram.com/mountainroseherbs/)
- [![Linkedin](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-rose-herbs)
- [![blog](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/blog.svg) ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com)
- [![TikTok](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/TikTok.png) ](https://www.tiktok.com/@mountainroseherbs)

![call us 1](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/call%20us%201.svg)

Call Us

[800.879.3337

](tel:8008793337)

Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm PST

![email us 1](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/email%20us%201.svg)

Email Us

[support@mountainroseherbs.com

](mailto:support@mountainroseherbs.com)

![live chat 1](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/live%20chat%201.svg)

Live Chat

Monday - Sunday 8am to 4pm PST