What better way to beat the heat this summer than with a cool, refreshing glass of blackberry iced tea! This one is perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and the fruit flavors really shine!
Made with fresh blackberries, robust black tea, lemons, and fresh mint, this amazing fruity iced tea will be much needed during hot summer days!
It’s been a hot summer! I’ve been cooling off with watermelon slushies and my homemade strawberry lemonade, but this blackberry iced tea might be my favorite yet!
Sweetened macerated blackberries and fresh lemons bring bold flavor to the steeped, robust black tea, which is then poured over ice and finished with fresh mint. It’s sweet, tart, refreshing, and tangy. And even better, it can be made ahead so the flavors have time to come together nicely.
This recipe for blackberry iced tea makes enough to serve about 6 people, but you could easily double it for a larger crowd. We always make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week!
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
- Made with fresh blackberries. They are macerated with sugar to bring out all their natural flavors!
- Customizable. Make it sweeter, use your favorite tea, or add a mix of different berries.
- Easy to make! Nothing complicated here.
- An anytime refresher. Pool parties, BBQs, potlucks, and on any hot summer day! I always keep a pitcher in the fridge.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this blackberry iced tea. Below, I’ve included a few helpful notes to keep in mind when shopping for the ingredients.
- Fresh blackberries: Wash and pick over your blackberries for any debris. No need to dry them completely as they’ll be mashed anyway. Reserve some for garnish.
- Granulated sugar: When macerated with the blackberries, it helps to break them down and release their natural sugars while adding plenty of sweetness.
- Tea bags (black tea) and water: You can use your favorite kind of black tea, I use English breakfast tea. You also need water to steep the tea.
- Fresh lemon slices: To infuse the tea with the flavor of lemon. Tea and fresh lemon go hand in hand, whether hot or cold!
- Fresh mint: For garnish, along with extra blackberries and lemon slices.
- Ice cubes: Lots of it!
Ingredient quantities are listed in the recipe card down below, as always.
How to Make Blackberry Iced Tea
Prepping for this blackberry iced tea takes just a few minutes, and the rest is just waiting for the tea and blackberries to steep and chill. Let’s make it!
Step 1: Mash the blackberries and granulated sugar together until evenly combined.
Step 2: Let the blackberry mixture sit while you steep the tea. This brings out the fruity berry flavors and incorporates sweetness.
Step 3: Steep the black tea bags in a pot of very hot, just boiled water (I use an electric kettle), for about 20 minutes, covered. Discard the tea bags afterwards.
Step 4: Add the mashed blackberries into the hot tea, stir to combine, and let that sit uncovered 2-3 hours until it comes completely to room temperature.
Step 5: Slowly strain the blackberry tea through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
Step 6: Add cold water and lots of ice into the pitcher. Also add your lemon slices, lightly pressing to release the citrus flavors. Then give everything a good stir. Garnish and serve!
Tips for Success
- The longer the tea bags steep in hot water, the better. If you want a more robust tea flavor, add a few extra tea bags.
- The longer the mashed blackberries and hot steeped tea have time to sit together, the better!
- Adjust amount of sweetness to taste: To make it sweeter, make a simple syrup with sugar and hot water to taste, and stir it into the pitcher.
- Berries: Feel free to add other fresh berries, or a mix of different ones.
- You can also use frozen berries. Thaw before using.
Make Ahead and Storage
The longer this blackberry iced tea sits, the better it tastes, so it’s the perfect make-ahead drink!
Make ahead option 1: Let the macerated blackberries sit in the hot tea for a few hours. When ready to serve, strain it into a pitcher, add ice and the remaining ingredients. Freshly brewed!
Make ahead option 2: Prepare the blackberry iced tea as directed, with garnish and everything. Refrigerate overnight and serve the next day. This is my go-to method for maximum flavor!
Storage: Keep in the fridge in a pitcher, covered, for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, give it a stir, add ice and garnish, and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, thaw them first so they’re easier to mash.
Sure can, but the tea flavor (and also color) won’t be as robust.
I’d recommend using granulated sugar for best results.
Absolutely. Try it with raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries next! You can also use a mixed blend.
More Refreshing Summer Drinks
Looking for some fruity summer smoothies? Try Pineapple Banana Smoothie and Berry Yogurt Smoothie!
I’d love to hear from you! If you loved my recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and a comment down below. Sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Blackberry Iced Tea
Equipment
- Stovetop kettle if not using electric
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh blackberries - plus more for garnish
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar - plus more to taste
- 8 cups water - divided
- 6 bags English Breakfast tea - or any type of black tea
- 1 large lemon, thinly sliced - plus more for garnish
- Ice cubes - as needed
- Fresh mint leaves - for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mash the blackberries with sugar until evenly mashed and combined. Set aside while you steep the tea.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil (I use an electric kettle). Transfer the water into a large bowl or container, then immediately add the tea bags. Cover and let it steep for 20 minutes. Once ready, discard the tea bags. Tip: For a more robust flavor, feel free to add a few more tea bags.
- Add the mashed blackberries into the hot tea, and stir to combine. Let it sit for a few hours, uncovered, until it comes to completely to room temperature, about 2-3 hours.
- Then, gradually, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing to filter the solids.
- To the pitcher, add the remaining 4 cups of cold water (or as needed), plus a generous amount of ice. Then, add lemon slices, pressing gently to release the citrus flavors. Give it a good stir.
- Optional: At this point, you can adjust sweetness to taste. If you’d like it sweeter, simply dissolve the preferred amount of granulated sugar with some hot water, and stir it into the tea.
- To serve, garnish with whole blackberries, mint leaves, and more lemon slices. Enjoy cold!
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh blackberries: The riper the berries, the sweeter they will be.
- You can use frozen berries, thaw completely before using to make it easy to mash.
- Black tea: I use English breakfast tea, but other types of black tea such as earl grey or lady grey will work too.
- The longer you steep the tea, the more robust the flavors will be. Feel free to add a few extra tea bags for a stronger flavor.
- Prefer to use green tea? That’s totally fine, but the flavors (and color) may not be as strong.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: If you’d like it sweeter, stir in simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water) instead of adding more granulated sugar.
- Garnish right before serving for the freshest taste and prettiest look!
- Make ahead: If you have time, prepare the tea a day in advance and let it sit in the fridge overnight. The flavor intensifies beautifully.
- Storage: Refrigerate in a covered pitcher, covered, for up to 3 days.
- Variations: Use a mix of different berries!
Jacqueline Heidle says
I love this tea! I am on my second batch this week! Great way to use all my blackberries!
Tania says
Thanks so much!
Kaye McArthur says
I’m so glad you gave me permission to drink fruit smoothies without the greenery! I love your mixed berry smoothie! I’ve made it so often that I want to experiment with another of your recipes; I think the strawberry mango combination will be my next treat! Thanks so much!
Marian Fluhr says
ok 1 quart water,30 black berries 1 level tablespoon of sugar, I used green tea because I have been told to drink at least 2 cups a day, I added teaspoon of lemon and 2 per cup of mint (fresh),I poured the tea over the berries in a defuseser, and steeped overnight. Then in the refrigerator. Once cold then put a mint leaf in. It is good. Next I will add a little ginger, I will right then.
Tania says
Yum, sounds great with green tea too! Glad you liked it!