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My summer go-to drink has gotta be this super cool blueberry iced tea. It hits that sweet spot between juicy berries and mellow tea. I stumbled on this drink during one crazy hot summer, and now I make it for every backyard hangout.
The first time I mixed this up was when my sister came to visit. We wanted something nice to drink while we caught up sitting on the porch, and now we can't have her visits without making a batch.
Ingredients
- Water: You'll want it clean and cold to pull out all the good flavors
- Cold brew tea bags: I find the family size Luzianne ones work wonders since they're made just for cold brewing
- Fresh blueberries: Look for fat, firm ones to get the brightest color and taste
- Granulated sugar: Plain white sugar does the trick, but try cane sugar if you want a bit more richness
- Fresh lemon juice: Just squeeze half a lemon to wake up the flavors and cut through the sweetness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make your berry syrup:
- Throw the blueberries, water, sugar, and fresh lemon juice in a pot and bring it to a good boil. This hot method really breaks down those berries for maximum flavor and that beautiful color.
- Let it bubble away:
- Turn down the heat to medium low and let it cook for 15 minutes. This slow cook really brings out the rich berry taste that makes this tea so special.
- Filter and cool down:
- Run the hot mixture through a fine strainer into a cup, gently pushing to get all the juice out. Pop it in the fridge while you work on the tea. This cooling time lets the flavors get even better.
- Brew your tea:
- Fill a pitcher with cold water and drop in those cold brew tea bags. Let them sit for 5 minutes exactly. Too long and it'll turn bitter, too short and the flavor won't develop.
- Mix it all together:
- Stir your cooled blueberry mixture into the tea until it's all mixed up. You should end up with a pretty reddish-purple color throughout.
- Pour over ice:
- Fill glasses with ice and pour your tea in. If you wanna get fancy, throw in some extra blueberries or lemon slices before serving.
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Nothing beats watching friends try this for the first time. The bright color gives a hint of what's coming, but everyone's always blown away by how refreshing and naturally sweet it tastes.
Adjusting The Sweetness
This version makes a medium-sweet tea most folks enjoy. If you don't want it so sweet, just cut back to 3/4 or even 1/2 cup of sugar. The blueberries themselves add some natural sweetness too, so you can tweak it how you like. For those staying away from regular sugar, honey or agave work great too, but use about 25% less since they're sweeter than plain sugar.
Custom Variations
Switch up the berries for tons of different options. Blackberries make it deeper and richer, while raspberries add a nice tang that cools you down fast. Strawberries create a sweeter, gentler version kids love. You can even throw in a mix of different berries for your own special blend. Don't worry if it's winter - frozen berries work just fine, so you can enjoy this refreshing drink all year long.
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Ways To Serve It
Make this blueberry tea look extra cool by using mason jars with colorful straws for a country feel. Grown-up party? Try adding a splash of vodka or white rum for a tasty cocktail version. It goes great with lemony desserts, grilled chicken, or light summer salads. For a fancy touch at brunch, freeze some blueberries in ice cube trays to keep drinks cold without watering them down.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → Can I use frozen blueberries for this tea?
Sure thing! Frozen berries work great too. Just let them warm up a bit first to get all their flavor out.
- → How can I make the tea less sweet?
Cut back on sugar when making your syrup or ditch the syrup completely and add your own sweetener as you like.
- → Can I use a different type of tea?
You bet! Try green tea or herb teas to add some interesting new tastes.
- → How should I store leftover blueberry iced tea?
Put it in glass containers in your fridge and drink it within three days so it doesn't turn bitter.
- → Can I skip the straining step?
We suggest straining to get rid of berry bits for a smoother drink, but you can keep them in if you like more texture.