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My summer staple drink has become this cooling blueberry iced tea, mixing just the right amount of sweet berry taste with smooth tea flavor. I came up with this during one blazing hot summer, and now I can't host a backyard party without it.
I whipped this up when my sister came to visit from across the country. We wanted something tasty to drink while we chatted on the porch, and now we can't get together without making it.
Ingredients
- Water: You'll need clean, cold water to pull out the best tea flavors
- Cold brew tea bags: I find big Luzianne ones work great since they're made just for cold brewing
- Fresh blueberries: Go for juicy, firm ones to get the brightest color and taste
- Granulated sugar: Plain white sugar does the job, but try cane sugar for a bit more character
- Fresh lemon juice: Just squeeze half a lemon to wake up the flavors and cut through sweetness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Create the blueberry syrup:
- Throw your blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot and let it reach a good boil. This hot temperature breaks down those berries so you get all their yummy flavor and pretty color.
- Simmer to perfection:
- Turn the heat down to medium low and let it bubble gently for 15 minutes. This slow cooking really brings out the berry goodness that makes this tea so special.
- Strain and chill:
- Run the hot mixture through a fine strainer into a measuring cup, pushing down gently to get all the juice out. Pop it in the fridge while you make the tea. This cooling time lets the flavors get even better.
- Steep the tea:
- Fill your pitcher with cold water and drop in the cold brew tea bags. Let them sit for 5 minutes exactly. Too long makes it bitter, too short and it's too weak.
- Combine and finish:
- Pour your cooled blueberry mix into the tea and stir it all together. You should see a pretty reddish purple color throughout.
- Serve over ice:
- Pour your tea over ice-filled glasses. If you want to fancy it up, toss in some fresh blueberries or lemon slices.
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What I love most is seeing friends' reactions when they first try it. The bright color hints at what's coming, but everyone's shocked by how refreshing and naturally sweet it actually is.
Sweetness Customization
This makes a medium-sweet tea most people enjoy. Want it less sweet? Just cut back to 3/4 or 1/2 cup of sugar. The blueberries already add some natural sweetness, so you can tweak it how you like. If you don't use regular sugar, go with honey or agave instead - but use about 25% less since they're sweeter than regular sugar.
Make It Your Own
Switch up the berries for tons of different versions. Blackberries make it richer and more interesting, while raspberries add a nice tangy kick. Strawberries create a sweeter, milder drink kids really love. You can even mix different berries together for your own special blend. Don't worry in winter - frozen berries work just fine, so you can enjoy this refreshing drink all year.
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Serving Suggestions
Make this blueberry tea look extra nice by pouring it into mason jars with colorful paper straws for a country feel. For grown-up parties, try adding a splash of vodka or white rum to turn it into a tasty cocktail. It goes really well with lemony desserts, grilled chicken, or any summer salad. For a fancy touch at brunches, freeze some blueberries in ice cube trays to keep drinks cold without watering them down.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use frozen blueberries for this tea?
You bet! Frozen berries do the job just fine. Let them thaw a bit first to get more flavor out of them.
- → How can I make the tea less sweet?
Cut back on sugar when making your berry mix or ditch the syrup completely and add your own sweetener as needed.
- → Can I use a different type of tea?
Sure thing! Try green tea or herb teas to add totally different tastes to your drink.
- → How should I store leftover blueberry iced tea?
Pop it in the fridge in glass pitchers 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 smoother tea, but you can skip it if you like your drink with more texture.