Blackberry Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 1 pinch baking soda 
• 7 servings garnishes: blackberries fresh
• 3 cups blackberries fresh thawed
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves fresh chopped
• 1.3 cups sugar 
• 2  family-size tea bags 
• 2.5 cups water cold
• 4 cups water boiling

Equipment

• sieve
• wooden spoon

Directions

1. Combine blackberries and sugar in large container. Crush blackberries with wooden spoon.
2. Add mint and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand 3 minutes. Discard tea bags.
4. Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
5. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids.
6. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
7. Garnish, if desired.