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–+ servings
close up view of glass of blackberry sweet tea
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5 from 1 vote

Southern Blackberry Sweet Tea

A blackberry simple syrup blended with iced tea makes the perfect summertime drink. This recipe makes a pitcher for sharing with friends.
Prep Time30 minutes
cooling time4 hours
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: blackberry sweet tea, Summer
Servings: 8 glasses
Calories: 168kcal
Author: Katie

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

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.
    a saucepan on a stove with whole blackberries submerged in a clear liquid, The blackberries are shown before and after cooking.
  • Strain the syrup into a medium bowl. Set aside to cool while you make the tea.
    the straining process of the blackberry syrup, where the cooked blackberries and syrup are being poured through a sieve over a bowl, separating the seeds and pulp from the liquid, which is a deep purple-red color.

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 allow to steep 3 minutes, then remove and discard.
    pitcher filled with tea bags and hot water.
  • Pour 6 cups of cold water into the pitcher of tea. Add the blackberry syrup and mix thoroughly.
    This image shows the process of steeping tea, with a metal spoon resting on top of a glass pitcher which appears to contain a dark liquid, indicative of tea that is steeping or has been steeped.
  • Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill 4 hours, or until very cold. Serve over ice with fresh lemon slices, whole blackberries, and mint leaves.
    Here we see two glasses filled with iced tea, garnished with lemon wedges, fresh mint leaves, and whole blackberries, suggesting the final presentation of the Southern Blackberry Sweet Tea recipe.

Notes

This is delicious mixed with lemonade for serving, like a blackberry Arnold Palmer!
If you can't find family sized tea bags, use 9 regular tea bags.
We like Luzianne teea, but Lipton will work just fine!

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg