Black Pepper Free Sparkling Blueberry Lemon Iced Tea
This drink is the kind of thing you make once and immediately want to serve at every warm-weather gathering. Fresh blueberries are simmered down with maple syrup, bright lemon juice, and a little zest into a gorgeous, jewel-toned syrup that gets stirred right into brewed black tea — then topped off with sparkling water for a fizzy, refreshing finish. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of black pepper and any sneaky spice blends, so there's no label-reading required and no compromises on flavor. The syrup-making step is genuinely satisfying: watching those blueberries burst and thicken into something this vibrant feels a little like kitchen magic. Straining it smooth means you get a silky, elegant drink rather than anything chunky or murky. Poured over ice with a few fresh blueberries and lemon slices floating on top, it looks like something from a fancy café menu — but it comes together entirely in your own kitchen with straightforward, whole ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea
- 4 black tea bags
- 3 cups boiling water
For the blueberry-lemon syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
To finish
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- ice, for serving
For serving
- fresh blueberries and lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or large bowl. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over them and steep for 5 minutes, then remove the bags without squeezing. Set the brewed tea aside to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
- 2
While the tea steeps, combine the blueberries, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries burst and the syrup is slightly thickened, about 8–10 minutes.
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