Prep the berries: Hull and quarter any large strawberries so all pieces are roughly the same size. Place the 1 cup mixed berries in a medium bowl. Uniform pieces ensure even maceration and a balanced bite in each spoonful.

Macerate the berries: Add 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional), a tiny pinch of fine sea salt, and the 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest (optional) to the berries. Gently toss and let sit 5–10 minutes. Macerating draws out the berries' natural juices, brightens their flavor and creates a glossy syrup that flavors the parfait without needing extra sugar.

Make the chia-yogurt mix: In a bowl, stir the 2 cups Greek yogurt with the 2 tablespoons chia seeds until evenly distributed. Let sit 5–10 minutes, then stir again. Chia seeds absorb liquid and swell; mixing them into the yogurt softens their crunch and creates a pleasantly creamy, subtly nutty texture while boosting fiber and omega-3s.

Toast the granola (optional but recommended): Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the 2/3 cup granola, and toast for 2–4 minutes, stirring often until it smells toasty and a few clusters darken slightly. Toasting wakes up the oils in granola, deepens the flavor and ensures the topping stays crisp longer when layered with moist components.

Chill the serving glasses (optional): Pop two parfait glasses or small bowls in the fridge for 5–10 minutes. A chilled glass keeps the yogurt cool and makes the parfait feel more refined when served.

Assemble the parfaits — layer 1: Spoon about 1/3 of the chia-yogurt mixture into the bottom of each glass (roughly 1/3 cup per glass). Starting with yogurt creates a creamy base that supports the other textures.

Layer 2: Spoon half of the macerated berries (including any juice) over the yogurt layer in each glass. The juices will mingle with the yogurt for bright, fruity ribbons of flavor.

Layer 3: Sprinkle a generous scattering of toasted granola (about 2 tablespoons per glass) on top of the berries. Adding granola in the middle creates a crisp contrast that keeps every spoonful interesting.

Repeat layers — finish with texture: Add another 1/3 of the yogurt, then spoon the remaining berries, and top with the remaining granola. For a restaurant touch, reserve a few whole berries and a small granola cluster to garnish the very top.

Garnish and rest: Finish each parfait with a small sprig of fresh mint. If possible, let the parfait rest chilled for 10–20 minutes to let the chia swell fully and the flavors integrate; however, it’s delicious immediately as well.

Serve: Present the parfaits chilled. Instruct diners to spoon all layers together so each bite has creamy yogurt, juicy berries and crunchy granola.