Blackberry Sweet Tea – sweet tea with a refreshing twist of fresh, juicy blackberries! This tea is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day, and makes a lovely drink to offer guests during the summer months!
When I was growing up, my grandma used to take my brother and me berry picking in the summer time.
Some of my fondest memories of her are from those days spent filling our big cardboard baskets out in those dusty fields, and then later sitting on the countertop in her tiny kitchen while she slaved away making what I’ve always considered to be the world’s best homemade jam.
I had always wanted to share that same pastime with my own kids, and we recently took them out for the first time here in Texas, where blackberries in particular are king. While the kids were perfectly happy to just snack on the fresh blackberries themselves, I knew I wanted to put our haul to good use.
A cold glass of sweet tea sure sounded good after a hot day of berry harvesting, and I knew it would be even better infused with those juicy blackberries.
How to make Blackberry Sweet Tea – Step by Step
Make the simple syrup by combining the blackberries and sugar in a saucepan. You’ll want to mash the blackberries just slightly with a fork to help release the juices. Next, stir in 1 cup of water, and then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the simple syrup is simmering, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the tea bags, turn off the heat, and allow the tea bags to steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard.
After the simple syrup has finished simmering, turn off the heat and allow it to cool slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Set a fine mesh strainer over the top of a heat proof pitcher (I used a large glass pitcher) and strain the simple syrup, pushing down on the blackberries with a spoon to release all of the juice. Discard the leftover pulp.
Pour the tea into the pitcher with the simple syrup and the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Stir and refrigerate the tea until cold.
Serve over ice, or add frozen blackberries to help keep it cold, as well.
Foods to serve with Blackberry Sweet Tea
More Refreshing Drinks
Tips and Suggestions
You can make this recipe as written, or you could keep the simple syrup and the tea separate and allow your guests to add as little or as much simple syrup to their iced tea as they like. Either way is tasty!
Blackberry Sweet Tea
Ingredients
Simple Syrup:
- 3 cups fresh blackberries
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup water
Tea:
- 6 regular size tea bags
- 8 cups water, divided
- Ice or frozen blackberries, optional
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, combine the blackberries and sugar in a medium sized saucepan. Mash the blackberries just slightly with a fork to help release the juices. Stir in 1 cup of water, and then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the simple syrup is simmering, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the tea bags, turn off the heat, and allow the tea bags to steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard.
- After the simple syrup has finished simmering, turn off the heat and allow it to cool slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Set a fine mesh strainer over the top of a heat proof pitcher (I used a large glass pitcher) and strain the simple syrup, pushing down on the blackberries with a spoon to release all of the juice. Discard the leftover pulp.
- Pour the tea into the pitcher with the simple syrup and the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Stir and refrigerate the tea until cold. Serve over ice, or add frozen blackberries to help keep it cold, as well.
Nutrition
If you like this Blackberry Sweet Tea, then you might also like:
Peach Sweet Tea
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
We love having tea! This is perfect for summer time!