Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea
Effervescent black tea infused with fresh blackberries and fragrant lemon verbena, served chilled for a revitalizing and lightly sweetened beverage. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes brings together black tea bags, fresh blackberries, large leaves fresh lemon verbena leaves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 6 large leaves fresh lemon verbena leaves
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups, chilled sparkling water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- as needed ice cubes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and remove from heat. Add 4 black tea bags and 6 fresh lemon verbena leaves, steeping for 5 minutes until fragrant and dark in color.
- Step 2: Remove tea bags and lemon verbena leaves, then stir in 2 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice until honey dissolves.
- Step 3: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then strain to remove any solids. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate for 1 hour until chilled.
- Step 4: In serving glasses filled with ice cubes, add 1/4 cup fresh blackberries and pour in chilled tea until halfway full. Top each glass with 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water to add refreshing bubbles.
- Step 5: Stir gently and garnish with a lemon verbena leaf or extra blackberries for a lively, revitalizing iced tea.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea?
Refrigerate any leftover sparkling blackberry and lemon verbena iced tea in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Sparkling Blackberry and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
