Blackberry Iced Tea

For the garnish, cut desired amount of wooden skewers into 5-inch lengths; then place fresh blackberries on skewers.

Yield: Makes about 7 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 3  cups  fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
• 1 1/4  cups  sugar
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh mint
• Pinch of baking soda
• 4  cups  boiling water
• 2  family-size tea bags
• 2 1/2  cups  cold water
• Garnishes: fresh blackberries, fresh mint sprigs

Preparation

Combine blackberries and sugar in large container. Crush blackberries with wooden spoon. Add mint and baking soda. Set aside.

Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand 3 minutes. Discard tea bags.

Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Garnish, if desired.