Blackberry iced tea

Blackberry Iced Tea

If you look through my blog, you’ll find a lot of refreshing summer drinks, but as much as I enjoy making my favorites again and again, I can’t stop myself from trying out new ones too.  I like this one because you can use any kind of fresh or frozen berries you happen to have.  I had a bag of frozen blackberries in the freezer, so I used them to make a blackberry simple syrup and added it to my usual iced green tea.

I tested this tea out when a friend stopped by yesterday.  Our verdict at first was that it really wasn’t sweet enough.  That could have been for two reasons:  first, I didn’t add all the sugar right away because I wasn’t sure how sweet the berries were; and second, we’d been snacking on what was left of Claudia’s birthday cake.  Maybe blackberry tea just doesn’t go with chocolate cake.  Anyway, I ended up adding more sugar and I’d recommend that you just use the full 1 1/2 cups from the start.  And maybe avoid drinking it while you’re eating cake.

** This really is a delicious tea that we’ve had many times since the original posting.  You won’t be disappointed!**

{one year ago:  a new look at macaroni salad}

Recipe:  Blackberry Iced Tea

(adapted from Tasty Kitchen)

4 green or black tea bags*

1/4 c. torn mint leaves

1 lb. of berries, fresh or frozen

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. water + more for brewing the tea

First, make blackberry simple syrup.  Combine berries, 1 1/2 cup of sugar, and water in a 2-quart pot over moderately high heat.  When mixture begins to boil and sugar has dissolved, lower heat to a simmer.  Cook berries for 30 minutes.  Add mint leaves to syrup so it can steep as the mixture cools.  Drain with a fine mesh sieve to remove solids.

To make tea, place 4 green tea bags in glass pitcher.  Pour 1 cup of barely simmering water over tea bags and steep for 3 minutes.  Remove tea bags.  Add 1 cup of cold water and the blackberry simple syrup mixture to pitcher.  Add whole mint leaves for garnish.  Serve over ice.

*A note on tea…
It’s very easy to find tea and coffee that is Fair Trade or Ethical Trade certified.  Just look for the logo on the box and you’ll know that you’re supporting ethical principals, human rights, and the environment.

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