Blackberry Lavender Iced Tea

Blackberry Lavender Iced Tea

8 cups water

1 ½ cups sugar (more or less, depending on desired sweetness)
1 cup fresh blackberries

1 Tbsp. fresh or dried French lavender

8 TBSP Earl Grey Organic or English Breakfast

Bring 4 cups of water to just below a boil. In 2 cups of the water steep the tea and the lavender for 3-4 minutes. Strain the tea.

In the other 2 cups of water, dissolve the sugar (to create a really cool spice note, add a couple black peppercorns to the sugar).

Add the berries to the sugar syrup. Crush with the back of a wooden spoon. Simmer for 3 minutes, turn off heat. Do not leave unattended! Let stand covered for 10 minutes. Strain through a cheesecloth liner or very fine sieve pressing with the back of a spoon.

In a large pitcher, put the other 4 cups of water, the tea and the berry mixture. Stir well. Chill for 2 hours. Serve over ice.

For special ice cubes: Put one blackberry or pansy in your ice cube tray. Fill halfway with water, freeze. Once frozen, fill the tray to the top with water, leaving you with the fruit or flowers in the middle of the cube.

Garnish with blackberries and lemons if desired.