Refreshing Lemon Blackberry Iced Tea
This lemon blackberry iced tea is the perfect combo of sweet, tangy, and totally refreshing. After all, nothing says summer like a glass of fruity iced tea!
If you’re looking for a super simple and seriously refreshing drink for summer, this lemon blackberry iced tea is it! With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a fruity, slightly tangy tea that’s perfect for warm weather.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Blackberry Iced Tea
There’s a lot to love about this iced tea recipe. First off, it’s easy to make – no fancy equipment or ingredients are required. Just brew some tea, blend up a few berries, and you’re halfway there.
It’s naturally sweet and fruity, and you can control the sweetness depending on your taste. I like using Stevia to keep it low-calorie, but honey is a great natural option too.
It’s the kind of drink that feels a little fancy but takes barely any time to throw together. Plus, it’s super versatile. You can serve it in mason jars at a backyard BBQ for a charming look, or pour it into a pitcher for brunch with friends. Either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Lemon Blackberry Iced Tea Ingredients
This delicious iced tea only requires a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Blackberries – Fresh is best, but frozen works too! They add that sweet, slightly tart berry flavor. I used 6 oz of fresh berries for this recipe.
- Lemon juice – Fresh-squeezed gives the brightest flavor, but bottled will work in a pinch. I used 4 Tablespoons for a tart flavor, but you can use less if desired.
- Black tea bags – I highly recommend classic black tea, but green tea is a lighter option if you prefer. I used 6 tea bags for this recipe knowing I’d be icing it down immediately.
- Water – You’ll need hot water for steeping and cold water (or ice) for chilling. I used 4 cups of boiling water, then added ice after cooling for several minutes.
- Sweetener – I like Stevia for a sugar-free option that won’t spike your blood sugar, but honey or even simple syrup would be great too. I used 2 packets of Stevia in this recipe.
P.S. Scroll all the way down for a printable recipe card!
How to Make Blackberry Lemon Iced Tea
- Brew the tea.
Start by boiling about 4 cups of water and steeping your black tea bags for 5–7 minutes (longer if you like it strong). You’ll want to make the tea extra strong if you want to drink it immediately with ice – it will water the tea down as the ice melts. If you’re making the tea ahead of time and plan to chill it, you can use the regular amount of one tea bag per cup of water. Once done, remove the tea bags and let the tea cool slightly. P.S. If you’re going to add honey, now is the time to do it! - Blend the berries.
While the tea is cooling, toss your 6 oz of blackberries into a blender along with a couple of tablespoons of the lemon juice. (I used 4 but I like it tart.) If you’re going to use Stevia, I recommend adding it here. Blend until smooth. This gives you a bold, berry-packed flavor without having to muddle anything! - Strain (optional).
If you don’t want seeds or pulp, pour the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher. I highly recommend doing this for a smoother drink, and found that it was much easier to strain the berries after mixing it into the tea. I used a loose-knit cheesecloth over a pitcher to make the straining speedy. Totally up to you! - Combine everything.
If you haven’t already, pour the cooled tea into a pitcher with the blackberry-lemon mix. Give it a stir and a taste, and more sweetener if you find it too tart. Keep in mind that you’ll be adding ice, so if everything is a little strong, you’ve probably got it just right. - Chill and serve.
Add ice and cold water as needed to reach your desired strength and chill factor. Serve over ice with a few lemon slices or extra berries if you’re feeling fancy.
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Tips & Variations
There are lots of easy ways to switch this recipe up or make it even more convenient. For starters, it’s a great make-ahead drink. Honestly, it tastes even better after it’s chilled in the fridge for a few hours, so feel free to prep it the night before. If you’re not into black tea, you can totally go with something caffeine-free like hibiscus or fruity herbal tea. (Just make sure your tea will taste good with lemon!)
If you want to make it a little fancier, you could add some fizz by topping off each glass with sparkling water or club soda. A berry or citrus sparking water would pair really well with this recipe.
You can also turn this into a refreshing summer cocktail with a splash of vodka or gin. Honey Jack Daniel’s would also be pretty good, IMO! If you’re serving this recipe at a party, toss in some lemon slices, mint sprigs, or extra blackberries to make it look extra pretty!
My biggest tip: I initially tried to strain the blackberry lemon juice mixture alone and found it was really thick. To make straining easier and faster, stir your blended berry mixture into the cooling tea and then strain. I used a lower-grade cheesecloth like this one for fast straining.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use frozen blackberries?
Absolutely! Frozen blackberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just let them thaw a bit before blending so they’re easier to work with. (They’ll be much juicier.) You’ll still get that great fruity flavor.
How long does this iced tea last?
You can store it in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just give it a good stir before serving, especially if any of the fruit has settled at the bottom.
Can I make this without caffeine?
Yep! Just swap the black tea for a caffeine-free herbal tea like hibiscus, mint, or even rooibos. It’s still super refreshing and delicious. I think this one would taste yummy if the tea were swapped with peppermint with the lemon omitted!
Refreshing Easy Lemon Blackberry Iced Tea Recipe Card
Refreshing Lemon Blackberry Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 6 oz fresh blackberries
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 cups water
- 6-7 bags black tea
- 2 packets Stevia
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water. Add the black tea bags and steep for 5–7 minutes. Steep longer if you like strong tea. If you're serving it over ice right away, make it stronger. If you're chilling it ahead of time, one tea bag per cup is fine. Tip: If using honey, stir it in while the tea is still warm.
- While the tea cools, add 6 oz of blackberries to a blender. Pour in 2–4 tablespoons of lemon juice (use more for extra tang). If you're using Stevia, add it here. Blend until smooth.
- Optional: If you prefer a smoother drink, stir the berry mixture into the tea and strain by pouring over a pitcher covered with cheesecloth. (Or use a mesh strainer if you have one.)
- If you haven't already, pour both the berry mixture and tea into a large pitcher. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Remember, ice will mellow the flavor a bit, so strong is good!
- Chill or add ice and cold water to your liking and serve. Garnish with lemon slices or extra berries if desired.
Notes
Until next time,
Chantal from Ironwild Fitness
