Southern Blackberry Iced Tea You’ll Make Again and Again
It’s fruity, fresh, and just the right amount of sweet. If you’ve never made your own blackberry iced tea from scratch, don’t worry. It’s easy and so much better than anything store-bought. Let me show you exactly how I make it.
Everyone loves a nice pitcher of sweet tea to share on the porch in the summer. And when blackberries are in season, they’re the perfect way to flavor a simple tea.
It might seem tedious to make the blackberry syrup, but it just takes a few minutes. Mix this up in the morning while it’s still cool outside and have it chilled and ready that afternoon.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Frozen blackberries work just fine. If you can’t find family-sized tea bags, use 9 regular tea bags.
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Equipment
- saucepan
- strainer
- heat-proof pitcher (meaning it won’t crack if you pour in boiling water)
Ingredients
For The Blackberry Syrup
- 3 cups blackberries, frozen is fine
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For The Iced Tea
- 3 family-sized tea bags, Luzianne brand recommended (or 9 regular tea bags)
- 6 cups hot water
- 6 cups cold water
Optional Garnish
- lemon wedges
- fresh mint
- additional blackberries
How to Make Blackberry Iced Tea
Step One: Make The Syrup
Combine the syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook until the blackberries become softened and bright purple, about 15 minutes.
Step Two: Strain
Strain the syrup into a medium bowl. Set aside to cool while you make the tea.
Step Three: Make The Tea
Place the tea bags in a heat-proof pitcher. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Pour over the tea bags and steep for 3 minutes, then remove and discard.
Step Four: Add Syrup
Pour 6 cups of cold water into the pitcher of tea. Add the blackberry syrup and mix thoroughly.
Step Five: Chill
Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for 4 hours, or until very cold. Serve over ice with fresh lemon slices, whole blackberries, and mint leaves.
Storage Instructions
Store in the refrigerator in a covered pitcher or container for up to 3-4 days. The flavor is BEST within the first 48 hours.
If you want to make ahead for a party, you can prepare the blackberry syrup up to 5 days in advance and keep it separately in an airtight container in the fridge. Just mix with freshly brewed tea when you’re ready to serve.
For longer storage, you can freeze the blackberry syrup in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags. This way, you’ll have individual portions ready to mix with fresh tea anytime!
What To Serve With Blackberry Iced Tea
This is the perfect drink for a summer picnic.
- Pair this with another southern classic – buttermilk deep-fried chicken.
- Have an easy lunch with these party sub sandwiches.
- This will taste great with grilled chicken and cold pesto pasta salad.
- Serve a delicious cinnamon peach cobbler for dessert.
Related Recipes
- If you loved fruity iced teas, you’ll also like raspberry and peach tea
- Have lots of blackberries and mint? Make blackberry mojitos
- Homemade blackberry lemonade is a great alternative when you’re having kids over and don’t want to caffeinate them!
- And if you love homemade drinks, consider canning your own strawberry lemonade concentrate.
Printable Recipe
Southern Blackberry Sweet Tea
Equipment
- saucepan
- strainer
- heat-proof pitcher (meaning it won't crack if you pour in boiling water
Ingredients
For The Blackberry Syrup
- 3 cups blackberries frozen is fine
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For The Iced Tea
- 3 family sized tea bags Luzianne brand recommended
- 6 cups hot water
- 6 cups cold water
Optional Garnish
- lemon wedges
- fresh mint
- additional blackberries
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Instructions
- Make the syrup. Combine the syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook until the blackberries become softened and bright purple, about 15 minutes.
- Strain. Strain the syrup into a medium bowl. Set aside to cool while you make the tea.
- Make the tea. Place the tea bags in a heat-proof pitcher. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Pour over the tea bags and steep for 3 minutes, then remove and discard.
- Add syrup. Pour 6 cups of cold water into the pitcher of tea. Add the blackberry syrup and mix thoroughly.
- Chill. Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for 4 hours, or until very cold. Serve over ice with fresh lemon slices, whole blackberries, and mint leaves.
Notes
Nutrition
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
I tried several times to “click” and get the recipe emailed to me!! Did NOT work both times. You need to fire your Web master, LOL!!!!!
just tested it on my email and it worked fine for me. try checking your spam folder and maybe your attitude 🙂
Hey I can’t wait to try this! My favorite brand of tea is Leaf Logic Wellness Tea, and she has a lovely Hibiscus Twist blend. She (the owner of the company) would mix that tea with a blackberry syrup, and it was divine! I am just wondering, If I have to brew the tea, then add the blackberry syrup when it is already cool, would that work just as well? I was thinking of trying this today, but I don’t have time to make the syrup just yet. I may wait until tomorrow, but figured I would ask! Can’t wait to try it.
hey grace, that will work just fine! hope you enjoy 🙂
Because I am diabetic I use Splenda and it worked out just fine. Love this recipe!