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You are here: Home / Beverages / Blackberry Iced Tea

Blackberry Iced Tea

June 5, 2021 by Tristin 28 Comments

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Blackberry Iced Tea is flavored with fresh, ripe blackberries and a sweet sugar syrup to give it the perfect amount of sweetness. This easy iced tea recipe only needs a few ingredients and is ready in no time. Blackberry sweet tea is the most refreshing, cool beverage to drink on those hot summer days.

Summertime means grilling time! If you are looking for some delicious foods to drink with your ice cold, flavorful black berry tea try Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Mexican Grilled Corn on the side. And make Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake for dessert if you want to see giant smiles.

Two cups of blackberry iced tea with mint sprigs on a wood cutting board with a cut lemon and some blackberries.
Blackberry Black Tea is Best Enjoyed on the Front Porch with Family and Friends

Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

Is it easy for you to find sweet blackberries? Like those really sweet and juicy blackberries? I don’t think I’ve had a really ripe, delicious blackberry in years. It seems like every package of blackberries I get contain sour, bitterish tasting berries.

My family would often visit this adorable little coastal town in California, when I was much younger. There were all these unique shops and tons of antique stores.

We’d always park in this dirt parking lot next to this giant blackberry bush. More often than not, the blackberries were already picked over by tourists. Usually, what was left over were some scraggly berries that were either not fully ripened or had already been munched on by bugs.

Sometimes, if we looked closely we could find buried berries amongst the briars. Of course, we’d get poked and scratched trying to reach in for them. But the reward was always SOOOO worth it. Those dark berries tasted like dust covered, sunshine.

We were kids, the dust didn’t matter much to us. Just wipe ’em off on our shirts and pop ’em in our mouths.

Two cups of blackberry iced tea with mint sprigs on a wood cutting board with a cut lemon and some blackberries.
This Sweet Iced Tea Recipe is so Refreshing on a Hot Summer Day

Blackberry syrup for tea

Blackberry tea is best enjoyed with friends and family on a porch swing on a hot sunny day. Aren’t summer berries the best? I love making ice tea at home and using berries in the tea just makes it so much better.

This is a basic iced tea recipe that has some added pizzazz due to the blackberry simple syrup. This syrup really adds a delicious flavor to the tea, plus a little sweetness. And it’s so easy to make.

Can I Use Decaffeinated Tea?

I love the option of being able to use decaffeinated tea especially if I am sharing the tea with the kids. I like to make our iced tea with decaffeinated tea bags so my kids aren’t getting much caffeine (I know that there is still a little in there). They just have enough energy on their own and definitely do not need that extra boost, like I do.

Can you make iced tea with regular tea bags?

Yes, you can. This iced tea recipe is made with family sized tea bags, but you could use regular tea bags instead. You will need 5-6 small tea bags.

How to make homemade sweet tea

Learning how to make homemade iced tea is super easy, it’s a MUST for the summer months. It’s so important to stay hydrated and drinking iced tea can help. All you need to do is make the blackberry syrup, make the hot tea, and combine everything together. If you like fruit teas, try this mango iced tea.

A cup of blackberry iced tea with mint sprigs on a wood cutting board with a cut lemon and some blackberries.
This Iced Tea With Simple Syrup is the Best Homemade Iced Tea

Can you Freeze Sweet Tea?

Sweetened black tea freezes really well. I like to use glass or plastic bottles, but with glass you need to be very cautious because it can shatter in the freezer. Just make sure to leave 1-2 inches of space at the top of the container and it also helps to leave the cap off.

Is it Iced tea or Ice Tea?

If you are feeling lazy you can call it ice tea, but it is technically “iced” tea. How do you like to say it?

Blackberry Iced Tea Ingredients

  • Blackberries: Fresh blackberries that have been rinsed.
  • Sugar: Granulated white sugar.
  • Water: I like to use filtered water. You will need water for the blackberry simple syrup and for the tea, one cup for the simple syrup, and eight cups for the tea.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Tea: Black tea either family sized tea bags or regular sized tea bags.
All of the ingredients needed to make blackberry iced tea.
This Blackberry Tea Recipe is Made With a Just a Few Ingredients

How to Make Blackberry Tea

  1. Make the simple syrup. In a medium sauce pan, add in the water, sugar and blackberries. Smash the blackberries with a potato masher and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
  2. Make the tea. In a separate pan, bring four cups of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and add in the tea bags, allowing them to steep for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Strain the blackberry simple syrup. Turn the heat off on the blackberry simple syrup, letting it cool for about 5 minutes. Pour blackberry mixture into a fine mesh strainer over a 4-cup glass measuring cup or a medium bowl. Press down on the berries with the back of a spoon to get all the juice out.
  4. Mix the tea. Add the simple syrup to the pitcher. Pour in the hot tea, then 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Either mix in all of the simple syrup to the tea and place in the refrigerator or put simple syrup in a small pourable container to serve with the cold tea.
  5. Garnish. Serve over ice, add in some whole blackberries, and optional fresh mint.
All of the steps to follow to make blackberry iced tea.
This Easy Iced Tea Recipe Makes Delicious Sweetened Tea

Best Blackberry Tea Tips and Variations

  • Use different tea. Try using green tea instead of black tea.
  • Just simple syrup. You could leave the blackberries out of the syrup (it will just be simple syrup). Just follow the directions and use the same amount of water and sugar. This makes a sweet iced tea recipe.
  • Steep it for longer. Steep the tea up to 15 minutes for stronger tea.
  • Serve the blackberry simple syrup on the side. Instead of mixing in all of the simple syrup to the tea, put simple syrup in a small pourable container to serve with the cold tea.
  • Using a measuring cup. Straining the blackberry syrup into a 4-cup glass measuring cup works well because it makes it easy to pour into the pitcher.
  • Frozen tea. Take a bottle of frozen tea with you and it will melt through the day.

Sweet Iced Tea Commonly Asked Questions

  • When was iced tea invented? It’s said that iced tea was invented in 1904 in the World’s Fair in St. Louis, MO, however, it seems that it’s been around longer than that.
  • Where was iced tea invented? People have been drinking cold iced tea since the 1800’s down in the southern states in the U.S. Way before that 1904 World Fair.
  • Why is my iced tea cloudy? Your iced tea may become cloudy if you do not allow it to cool down completely before putting it in the refrigerator.
  • Will iced tea dehydrate you? Tea is unlikely to dehydrate you caffeinated or uncaffeinated. If you drink more than 5 cups of caffeinated iced tea it can have a diuretic affect on your body. Which can add to dehydration.
  • How do you make iced tea at home? You no longer need to buy pre-made tea or powdered tea. It’s so easy to just make your own tea right in your own kitchen. Just follow the easy iced tea directions below.
  • Is drinking iced tea as good as drinking water? Drinking tea is better than not drinking anything at all, but water is still the best thing to drink to stay hydrated.
  • How long will blackberry simple syrup last in the refrigerator? This blackberry syrup will last up to 3-4 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Sweetened Black Tea Storage Instructions

  • How to Refrigerate: Put tea in a pitcher and store in the refrigerator. It will last about 5 days in a covered pitcher.
  • How to Freeze: Let the tea cool off completely. Pour tea in either a glass or plastic bottle, leaving at least 1-2 inches of space at the top. Leave the cap off to allow further expansion. Once tea has frozen completely, cover it. Make sure to label with the recipe and the date. Tea can stay frozen for 6-8 months.
  • How to Thaw Tea: Frozen tea can be thawed either in the refrigerator or out on the counter.
Two cups of blackberry iced tea with mint sprigs on a wood cutting board with a cut lemon and some blackberries.
Learn How to Make Homemade Sweet Tea with This Easy to Follow Recipe

Try more drink recipes!

  • Apple Cider Slushie
  • Baby Yoda Cocktail
  • Banana Pineapple Smoothie
  • Mint Iced Coffee
  • Mild and Delicate Guava White Tea

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Two cups of blackberry iced tea with mint sprigs on a wood cutting board with a cut lemon and some blackberries.
Print Recipe
5 from 13 votes

Blackberry Iced Tea

Blackberry Iced Tea is flavored with fresh, ripe blackberries and a sweet sugar syrup to give it the perfect amount of sweetness. This easy iced tea recipe only needs a few ingredients and is ready in no time. Blackberry sweet tea is the most refreshing, cool beverage to drink on those hot summer days.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 120kcal
Author: Tristin

Ingredients

Blackberry Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 cups blackberries fresh
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Tea

  • 2-3 family size tea bags
  • 8 cups water divided
  • ice
  • mint optional

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan, add in the water, sugar and blackberries. Smash the blackberries with a potato masher and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
  • In a separate pot, bring four cups of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and add in the tea bags, allowing them to steep for 3-5 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off on the blackberry simple syrup, letting it cool for about 5 minutes. Pour blackberry mixture into a fine mesh strainer over a 4-cup glass measuring cup or a medium bowl. Press down on the berries with the back of a spoon to get all the juice out.
  • Add the simple syrup to the pitcher. Pour in the hot tea, then 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Either mix in all of the simple syrup to the tea and place in the refrigerator or put simple syrup in a small pourable container to serve with the cold tea.
  • Add in ice, some whole blackberries, and optional fresh mint.

Notes

  • Instead of mixing in all of the simple syrup to the tea, put simple syrup in a small pourable container to serve with the cold tea.
  • Straining the blackberry syrup into a 4-cup glass measuring cup works well because it makes it easy to pour into the pitcher.
  • The blackberry syrup will last up to 3-4 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • This blackberry sweet tea will last 5 days in the refrigerator.
 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results. 

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

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More sweet treats!

  • Triple Berry Crisp
  • Lemon Cookies
  • Watergate Cake
  • Bakery Style Strawberry Muffins

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine

    June 7, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    I think the very first emotion that I got from this tea was: WOW. It is absolutely perfect for this time of the year… So good and refreshing.

  2. Tristin

    June 7, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Elaine, I am so glad that you enjoyed this blackberry tea! We find it very thirst quenching, lol. Hope it becomes a regular for you!!

  3. Dana

    June 10, 2021 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love this tea! It is a summertime favorite.

  4. Tristin

    June 10, 2021 at 11:20 am

    Isn’t it fabulous for summer, Dana? We drink so much tea when it gets hot.

  5. Liz

    June 11, 2021 at 7:53 am

    5 stars
    Such a refreshing drink for a hot summer day! I love anything with blackberries so this recipe was perfect for me!

  6. Tristin

    June 11, 2021 at 7:55 am

    Glad you were able to enjoy this blackberry iced tea, Liz!!

  7. Eva

    June 11, 2021 at 8:22 am

    5 stars
    I feel your pain, way too often I find sour and bitter blackberries when I buy them. I haven’t had a really sweet one in years myself. I almost prefer frozen ones, as they’re harvested at the right time at least! Anyway – add some sugar and some iced tea and the problem is solved! Summer in a glass!

  8. Tristin

    June 11, 2021 at 8:27 am

    Aren’t those berries the worst? Ugh, makes me wanna try growing them myself, lol. Perfect problem solver is to make them into a blackberry simple syrup! Thanks, Eva!

  9. Amy Liu Dong

    June 11, 2021 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    Such an easy, delicious, and refreshing drink to serve with my parents this weekend.
    Excited to make this for them. Thanks!

  10. Tristin

    June 11, 2021 at 9:30 am

    Great, Amy! I really hope your parents love this blackberry sweet tea!

  11. Jere Cassidy

    June 12, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    5 stars
    We drink iced tea every day, just a good black tea, but I can’t wait to get some blackberries and try your recipe for something new. This tea looks delicioius.

  12. Tristin

    June 12, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    My son is also an iced tea fan! Every couple days I am making him more tea because he drinks it so fast. I hope that you enjoy this tea recipe, Jere.

  13. Naiby

    June 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! I like the idea of having blackberry ice tea. I think I’ll try mine with white tea to boost the antioxidants content!

  14. Tristin

    June 13, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    I also love it made with white tea Naiby! Hope this blackberry tea keeps you refreshed!

  15. Katie Crenshaw

    June 13, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    5 stars
    This blackberry tea is now my new summer drink! It is perfect to drink all day or to drink as a special treat at the end of the day.

  16. Tristin

    June 13, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    This sweet tea is perfect for hot summer days! Thanks for your comment, Katie.

  17. EA Stewart

    June 13, 2021 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars
    What fun memories of picking blackberries as a child! This Blackberry Sweet Tea recipe is so refreshing and delicious~Perfect for sipping all summer long!

  18. Tristin

    June 13, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    We will be sipping on it all summer as well, EA Stewart! This blackberry tea is that refreshing.

  19. Jamie

    June 14, 2021 at 12:19 am

    5 stars
    I love how simple the ingredients are and how easy it is to make this tea! We’re getting into blackberry season so this is going to be a delicious summer drink for us!

  20. Tristin

    June 14, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    This is such a simple blackberry iced tea! I hope you love it, Jamie.

  21. Ramona

    June 14, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    This looks super refreshing and perfect for summer! I love blackberries, so this recipe is perfect. Thank you for sharing!

  22. Tristin

    June 14, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    This blackberry sweet tea is our favorite, so refreshing for summer! Enjoy, Ramona!

  23. Brianna

    June 14, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    Made a batch of your blackberry tea for a cookout and it was a hit! A few friends asked for the recipe.

  24. Tristin

    June 14, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Im so glad the blackberry tea went over so well, Brianna and that you shared it with everyone!

  25. Heidy McCallim

    June 15, 2021 at 8:11 am

    5 stars
    This amazing-tasting Blackberry Iced Tea is flavored with fresh, ripe blackberries, and sweet sugar syrup was perfect for serving at our daughter’s baby shower! Everyone enjoyed it!!! Have a great day!

  26. Tristin

    June 15, 2021 at 8:16 am

    Congratulations to your whole family, Heidy!! Babies are such a blessing! Thanks for trying out this blackberry tea, especially at such a special event.

  27. Terry

    July 6, 2023 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! I love blackberries and I love tea. And it’s so economical. I hate paying $4.00 for a 550ml bottle of iced tea at the grocery store. And its always way to sweet i cut back the syrup to half a cup of sugar. And its perfect for my liking I’ll be making many batches this summer.

  28. Tristin

    July 6, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    Terry, I agree, buying those teas at the store just gets too expensive (especially when you drink iced tea all summer long!). Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts, I am so happy you liked this recipe.

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features easy recipes made with tasty ingredients. Read More…

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