Blackberry Iced Tea Food

BLACKBERRY-BOURBON ICED TEA

Steps:

• Combine the blackberries, sugar and chopped mint in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon; let sit while making the tea.
• While the blackberries are macerating, bring 1 1/2 quarts cold water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for about 3 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour the tea over the blackberry mixture. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
• Pour the mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, pressing on the solids. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. (You can also pour the mixture into a bowl set over an ice bath to cool it faster.)
• Serve the blackberry tea over ice in tall glasses and float a shot of bourbon on top of each. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs (like a mint julep).

BLACKBERRY ICED TEA

Steps:

• Add the blackberries and sugar to a large container; stir to combine.
• Crush the blackberries with a wooden spoon.
• Add in mint and baking soda; stir to combine; set aside.
• Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand for 3 minutes.
• Discard tea bags.
• Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Pour tea mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a large pitcher; discard solids.
• Add in 2 1/2 cups cold water; stir until sugar dissolves.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.

BLACKBERRY-BOURBON ICED TEA

Steps:

• Combine the blackberries, sugar, and coarsely chopped mint in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon and let sit while making the tea.
• While the blackberries are macerating, bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, remove from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for about 3 minutes. Remove the bags and pour the tea over the blackberry mixture. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour for the flavors to meld.
• Pour the mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, pressing on the solids, cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. Cook's Note: You can also pour the mixture into a bowl set inside an ice bath to cool the mixture faster.
• Serve the blackberry tea over ice in tall glasses and float a shot of bourbon on top and garnish with lots of fresh mint sprigs...(like a Mint Julep).

BLACKBERRY ICED TEA WITH CINNAMON AND GINGER

Steps:

• Heat water in a large saucepan to just before boiling. Add tea bags, cinnamon sticks and ginger.
• Remove from heat, cover and let steep for about 15 minutes.
• Add cranberry juice and sweetener to taste. Strain tea into a pitcher. Cover and chill overnight.
• Freeze glasses prior to serving. Pour tea over crushed ice and serve garnished with cinnamon sticks.