This quick and easy Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea blends fresh blackberries with black tea for a delicious summer treat that you won’t be able to resist making. It takes just 10 minutes (plus time to chill).
The Instant Pot has so many uses beyond just making a quick dinner. It’s fantastic for making a quick fruit tea that you can chill and drink over ice. I make a lot of iced tea at home. Usually I’m just making black iced tea, but it gets a little boring. I love adding fresh fruit to the tea. It’s so much better than brewing flavored iced tea bags, which never really tastes like actual fruit.
If you like this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try our Peach Iced Tea recipe too. This Instant Pot tea can be used with any fruit. Try it with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
Why You’ll Love It
- If you’re lucky enough to have blackberry bushes nearby, you can do some picking and use fresh berries in this recipe.
- The fruit adds a lovely, refreshing element to your typical iced tea.
- You have the freedom to adjust the flavor and sweetness, and you can customize the strength of the tea to suit your preferences.
Mirlene says: 
This is a fantastic way to freshen up your day during hot summer days. Adding this recipe to my list – it will surely save me plenty of times later this year!
What Tea to Use
I prefer to use high-quality black loose leaf tea for this recipe. I like the Republic of Tea’s black Darjeeling tea, because it has the best flavor and it’s organic. However, there are many options.
You can use plain old Lipton black tea bags, just remember to remove the yellow tag from the bags. I’ve used other brands of tea bag, like PG Tips, but they impart a filmy substance in the tea that’s not particularly pleasant.
Ingredients You Need
- Water – I like to use filtered water, but it’s just important to use water you want to drink
- Black tea bags – paper tags removed
- Blackberries – Fresh or frozen
- Fresh basil
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Garnish – Extra blackberries and fresh basil or mint sprigs for garnish
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus to make all of my recipes, but you can use any size or brand of electric pressure cooker. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more water to build steam.
- Heat-resistant pitcher
Helpful Tips
- Fresh blackberries will give your iced tea a vibrant, fresh flavor, but frozen blackberries can be a great alternative, especially when fresh ones aren’t in season.
- Black tea is a classic choice for its robust flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of blackberries.
- For the best results, use high-quality tea bags or loose-leaf tea to ensure your iced tea has a rich, full-bodied taste that complements the fruitiness of the blackberries.
How to Make Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea
Step 1: Add ingredients
Add half the water, tea bags, and blackberries to Instant Pot and stir to combine.
Step 2: Pressure cook
Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing. Select the pressure cook button and set the time to 5 minutes.
When cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release. Remove the lid and discard the tea bags.
Step 3: Add flavor
Add the basil, honey, and lemon juice and let stand for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Strain
Strain the tea over a fine mesh strainer into a heat-resistant pitcher. Add remaining 4 cups of cold water. Cool completely.
Serve over ice with fresh blackberries and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish.
Variations
Try adding some of these great flavors to the tea base. These will work with black or green tea. Experiment to see what flavor combinations you like the best.
- Nectarines
- Passion fruit
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Mint
- Vanilla
- Ginger peach
Questions About the Recipe
Can I use frozen blackberries for this iced tea, or is fresh fruit necessary?
While fresh berries provide the best flavor, you can absolutely use frozen as a convenient alternative. Frozen blackberries can work well, especially when fresh ones are not in season, allowing you to enjoy it year-round.
Is it necessary to sweeten this iced tea?
Sweetening the blackberry iced tea is optional and depends on individual taste preferences. Adjust the sweetness to your liking, starting with a smaller amount and adding more if needed.
Can I use a different type of tea bag for this recipe, or is black tea recommended?
While black tea is a popular choice for blackberry iced tea, you can experiment with different tea varieties to suit your taste. Green tea or a blend of black and green tea can add a unique twist to the flavor profile. Feel free to explore various tea options to discover the combination that delights your palate.
How do I store leftover iced tea, and how long does it stay fresh?
Store the leftover tea in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to a week. It’s best consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and flavor. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for an extended period to ensure food safety.
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Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cups (2 l) water divided
- 5 black tea bags paper tags removed
- 1 1/2 cups (216 g) fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons (4 g) fresh basil chopped
- 1/2 cup (170 g) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- Extra blackberries and basil sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Add half the water, tea bags, and blackberries to Instant Pot and stir to combine. Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing. Select the pressure cook button and set the time to 5 minutes.
- When cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release. Remove the lid and discard the tea bags..
- Add the basil, honey, and lemon juice and let stand for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea over a fine mesh strainer into a heat-resistant pitcher. Add remaining 4 cups of cold water. Cool completely.
- Serve over ice with fresh blackberries and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish.
Notes
- Fresh blackberries will give your iced tea a vibrant, fresh flavor, but frozen blackberries can be a great alternative, especially when fresh ones aren’t in season.
- Black tea is a classic choice for its robust flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of blackberries.
- For the best results, use high-quality tea bags or loose-leaf tea to ensure your iced tea has a rich, full-bodied taste that complements the fruitiness of the blackberries.
Nutrition
Related Posts:
- Instant Pot Brats
- Which Containers Can Be Used in the Instant Pot?
- 6 Must-Know Instant Pot Tips For Beginners
Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.
This sounds wonderful and Iove how the blackberries stain the water. I’d love to try this with a caffeine free tea so my little guy could also drink it also.
That’s a great idea, Cristie!
This is a fantastic way to freshen up your day during hot summer days. Adding this recipe to my list – it will surely save me plenty of times later this year!
I love this!! It was the perfect flavor for an ice tea, great idea 🙂
I love drinking iced teas, especially now that the weather is warming up. This drink is so refreshing!
This was so good! I love how easy it is to make!