This fresh and fruity Blackberry Iced Tea uses in-season fruit to create a tasty summer drink. It takes just 10 minutes (plus time to chill).
» You might also like these Candied Orange Slices.
The Instant Pot has so many uses beyond just making a quick dinner. It’s fantastic for making a quick fruit tea that you can chill and drink over ice.
Using organic black tea bags, this recipe combines seasonal fresh blackberries with local honey and it jazzes up your typical iced tea.
I make a lot of iced tea at home. Usually I’m just making black iced tea, but it gets a little boring. I love adding fresh fruit to the tea. It’s so much better than brewing flavored iced tea bags, which never really tastes like actual fruit.
If you like this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try our Peach Iced Tea recipe too. This Instant Pot tea can be used with any fruit. Try it with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
If you’re lucky enough to have blackberry bushes nearby, you can do some picking and use fresh berries in this recipe. You might also want to freeze some to use even after the season is over.
This recipe also uses a blackberry simple syrup that can be used not only to sweeten and flavor this iced tea, but can also be used in cocktails, like this Blackberry Dark & Stormy, which is one of my favorite cocktails.
What Tea to Use
I prefer to use high-quality black loose leaf tea for this recipe. I like the Republic of Tea’s black Darjeeling tea, because it has the best flavor and it’s organic. However, there are many options.
You can use plain old Lipton black tea bags, just remember to remove the yellow tag from the bags. I’ve used other brands of tea bags, like PG Tips, but they impart a filmy substance in the tea that’s not particularly pleasant.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The Instant Pot really makes this recipe a snap. Let the Instant Pot do the work for you!
- Water
- Black tea bags – Use your favorite tea. If you are using tea bags remember to remove the tag from the bag.
- Blackberries – Fresh blackberries are best but if you can’t find them you can use frozen blackberries.
- Basil– Fresh basil is used in the blackberry simple syrup. If you don’t have it on hand you could substitute fresh mint.
- Honey – Try and use locally sourced whenever possible.
- Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice will add a refreshing and tangy flavor.
- Extra blackberries and basil – for garnish
Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. You can also check out our Instant Pot page for more information.
Tips and Notes
Remove tea bags as soon as the pressure has been fully released to prevent bitterness. If you prefer stronger tea, leave the bags in longer.
Baking soda neutralizes the tannins in black tea, giving it a smoother taste. Try adding a pinch of baking soda prior to brewing.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Like it, Love it, Want Some More of It? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch us cook and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We really love it when you save our recipes to Pinterest 😊
Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 5 organic black tea bags paper tags removed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries divided
For blackberry simply syrup:
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- 1/2 cup honey preferably local
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Extra blackberries and basil sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Add water, tea bags, and a half cup blackberries to Instant Pot and stir to combine. Add lid and lock into place. Switch the vent to “Sealing” and set the “Manual” setting to 5 minutes.
- While the tea is brewing, add remaining blackberries, basil, honey, and water to saucepan over medium heat. Cook, gently pressing on the blackberries to release their juices while continually stirring the mixture to combine, for 4-5 minutes. Once honey is completely melted and the mixture starts to thicken, remove from heat and set aside.
- When cook time on Instant Pot is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Strain hot tea mixture with a fine mesh strainer. Pour the reserved liquid into a large, heat-resistant pitcher and sweeten with the blackberry honey simple syrup, to taste. Add fresh lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Serve over ice with fresh blackberries and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
Pin it for later
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.
This sounds wonderful and Iove how the blackberries stain the water. I’d love to try this with a caffeine free tea so my little guy could also drink it also.
That’s a great idea, Cristie!
This is a fantastic way to freshen up your day during hot summer days. Adding this recipe to my list – it will surely save me plenty of times later this year!
I love this!! It was the perfect flavor for an ice tea, great idea 🙂
I love drinking iced teas, especially now that the weather is warming up. This drink is so refreshing!
This was so good! I love how easy it is to make!