Blackberry Iced Tea

4.82 from 16 votes

Try this refreshing blackberry iced tea this summer! Made with fresh macerated blackberries, robust black tea, lemons, and mint. It's easy to make and perfect to keep you cool.

Prep Time30

Cook Time0

Refrigeration and steeping2

Total Time2 30

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 67kcal

Author: Tania

Equipment

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!

Disclaimer: Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.

Nutrition