Refreshing and flavorable Blackberry Mint Iced Tea.
I have some blackberries that I've been trying to use. They are wonderful sweet blackberries straight from Arkansas. I've got a busy day planned and not enough time for baking, which is what I'd like to do with them. But, it's summer, insanely hot, so what is more perfect than iced tea? Made the southern way of course.
Let's Get Started:
Blackberry Mint Iced Tea
3 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
1 1/2 cups sugar
fresh mint leaves
Pinch of baking soda (keeps tea from tasting bitter)
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
2 1/2 cups cold water
Combine blackberries and sugar in large container. Crush blackberries with wooden spoon.
Add mint and baking soda. Set aside.
Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand 3 minutes. Discard tea bags.
Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids and seeds.
Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Garnish with fresh blackberries and mint leaves, if desired.
