Blueberry Mint Iced Tea Food

BLUEBERRY & MINT ICED TEA

Steps:

• Boil the kettle and put the tea bags in a jug. Pour over 500ml boiling water and leave to steep for 5 mins. Meanwhile, put 100g blueberries in a jug, add the sugar and lightly crush with the end of a rolling pin or a potato masher. Remove the tea bags from the water, pour the tea over the blueberries and top up with another 300ml cold water. Add a large handful of ice to cool quickly, or chill until cold.
• When you're ready to pack your picnic, pour the iced tea into bottles or flasks. Add a few sprigs of fresh mint, some lemon slices and the remaining blueberries. Seal and store in a cooler bag.

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).

BLUEBERRY ICED TEA

Steps:

• Combine blueberries and about a cup of iced tea in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher and add remaining iced tea. To serve, pour into glasses over ice.

BLUEBERRY ICED TEA

Steps:

• To make the tea concentrate you will place the tea bags in a medium bowl into which you will add the boiling water and steep for 10 minutes, then reemove the tea bags.
• To the tea add your honey and mint, making sure to mix well. Allow to cool to room temperature on the counter. Once cooled remove the mint leaves.
• Add the fruit juices and tea concentrate into a large pitcher, mix and place in the fridge until needed.
• Fill a large frosted glass with ice cubes, then add 1/2 cup of the tea-juice mixture, fill the remainder of the glass with the club soda. Garnish with a lime slice and sprig of mint.
• Sit and enjoy this refreshing drink.

BLACKBERRY MINT ICED TEA

Steps:

• In a large pot, boil 4 cups of water. Remove from heat, tear the mint leaves in half and add to the pitcher along with the tea bags. Stir gently, cover and let steep about 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, Puree blackberries in a blender or food processor, strain into a 2 quart pitcher (discarding pulp and seeds). Strain the water into the pitcher, discarding tea bags and mint. Add in honey, tasting and adjusting to your desired sweetness. Top with cold water to fill, stirring to incorporate.
• Chill for at least 4-6 hours in the refrigerator. Serve over ice and garnish with a mint leaf and some blackberries.