Blackberry Passion Tea Lemonade

As a child growing up in the South, we drank iced tea with nearly every meal. I idolized my grandmother, so I wanted to drink my tea just like she did: with a splash of lemonade. Throughout the year, iced tea lemonade has become my signature drink (aside from Diet Coke, obviously), and I’m always looking for new ways to make this delicious beverage. My latest twist on my beloved iced tea-lemonade is sweet and tangy with a dash of spice. I mix traditional lemonade with Tazo Passion^® tea and fresh blackberries to create the tastiest iced tea on the block. My recipe for Blackberry Passion Tea Lemonade is ridiculously simple to make, and it’s also ridiculously tasty.

The first step is to grab a package of blackberries and display them in a decorative bowl. You’ll get ten bonus points if you artfully spill them onto your kitchen counter. Ok, that step may not make your tea taste any better, but you’ll be able to take a pretty awesome Instagram photo. In all seriousness, buy a package of the ripest seasonal fruit you can find. Blackberries are one of my favorite summer fruits, and they pair beautifully with Tazo Passion™ tea. I think strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries would be equally delicious if blackberries aren’t in stock at your store.

After deciding which fruit to use, it’s time to bring out the star of the show: Tazo Passion™ Tea. This tea blend features an herbal infusion of hibiscus, orange peel, rose hips, and passion fruit to create a sweet and slightly spicy flavor that’s absolutely addictive. This tea is fabulous on its own served piping hot in a giant mug, but the lemonade and berries in this recipe really bring out the fruity tones in the tea. Simply brew a cup of Tazo Passion™ tea and try to resist drinking it while it cools. I usually make two or three servings of tea at a time, and I’ll drink one cup of hot tea while the remainder of the brewed tea chills in the fridge. Once your brewed tea is sufficiently chilled, it’s time to mix it with the berries, lemonade (store-bought or homemade), and ice!

Blackberry Passion Tea Lemonade

makes one serving

1 Tazo Passion™ tea bag
1 cup water
1/3 cup lemonade (store-bought or homemade)
6 blackberries
ice

Instructions: Bring water to a boil and pour over tea bag. Allow the tea to steep for five minutes. Place the blackberries into a cup and mash them with a fork. Add lemonade and tea to the muddled blackberries and stir until thoroughly combined. Add ice and serve immediately.

This Blackberry Passion Tea Lemonade is positively scrumptious, which is why I only make it one serving at a time. I’ve made an entire pitcher before, and I ended up drinking it one day! This drink has the perfect amount of tartness from the tea and lemonade, sweetness from the berries, and depth of flavor from the Tazo Passion™ tea. I like my tea a little bit on the tart side, so I leave this drink unsweetened; however, you can also add a bit of sugar, honey, or simple syrup if you’d like to make the flavor more mellow.

While I’ve been bragging on the Passion tea, the entire Tazo® Tea collection is awesome. The line is filled with unique flavor combinations that are unexpected and and exhilarating. Tazo Zen^™ features green tea with lemongrass & spearmint, and it has a refreshing zip that’s perfect for a midday pick-me-up. I love it served hot with a little bit of lemon and honey, but it’s equally delicious served ice. I’ve also substituted the Zen tea in my tea lemonade recipe, and it created an out-of-this-world flavor!

I have to say that my all-time favorite tea from Tazo is the Awake™ English Breakfast blend. The Tazo Awake English Breakfast^™ tea is a black tea with a bold and bright malt flavor, and I drink it morning, noon, or night when I need a quick burst of refreshment and energy. These teas have a delicious flavor and aroma, and I’m kind of obsessed with the brand’s bright and upbeat branding. When your tea tastes good (and the packaging is ultra-cut), you can’t help but to Sip Joyfully!

The Brits definitely have it right. Tea time should be a daily ritual. Whether you drink it hot or cold, it’s refreshing, tasty, and let’s be real…it also makes you feel fancy. I’d love to know about your favorite tea. Are you a fan of iced teas like my Blackberry Passion Tea Lemonade, or do you prefer hot tea? Is there a tea blend that I need to try? Leave a comment below with your favorite tea tips!