Vegan 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. Tart lemon, jammy blueberries, and bold black tea come together in a syrup-spiked base that gets a fizzy lift from chilled sparkling water — it's refreshing in the best possible way. The homemade blueberry-lemon syrup is the real star here: simmered until the berries burst and thickened just enough to coat the back of a spoon, it delivers a depth of flavor that no store-bought mix can touch. Maple syrup does the sweetening, keeping everything completely plant-based without sacrificing any richness. Straining the syrup gives the finished drink a gorgeous deep-purple hue that looks almost too pretty to drink — almost. It comes together in stages that are all genuinely easy, and the syrup can be made ahead so assembly is a breeze when guests arrive. Pile on the ice, top with bubbles, and drop in a few fresh blueberries for a glass that looks like it came from a fancy café.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!