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    Home » Most Recently Added » Drinks

    Blueberry Iced Tea Recipe

    Published: Jul 10, 2023 · Updated: Jul 11, 2023 by kateschat · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Hand holding a jar of blueberry iced tea.
    Two pint jars of blueberry iced tea next to a gallon jar.

    Canning fruit means delicious jars of juice or syrup once you've consumed the tasty fruit...what then? Add it to freshly brewed tea for amazing, naturally-sweetened fruity iced tea.

    A hand holding a pint jar of blueberry iced tea.

    When you’re into canning fruit, there is always the juice leftover to deal with. This isn't usually a problem, someone is happy to chug this straight from the jar! You can make gelatine gummies with it - I've done elderberry but any fruit will be great. If you’d like to try something a little different, this is a great way to flavour a basic iced tea.

    Why You Need This Recipe

    • Waste not, want not! The whole idea of preserving food is to use every part. No need to waste the juice after you eat the fruit.
    • Make fun flavoured teas that the entire family will love. They will feel like it's a treat to get some juice, but you know it's all with natural sweeteners and homemade!
    • Make a huge jar to keep in the fridge so you are always ready when guests drop by to sit on the porch and visit.

    Key Ingredients

    Canned fruit - I use the juice from canned blueberries, but you can use any juice you have on hand. Peach, strawberries, anything is great here.

    Tea bags - I generally use green or black. Just remember to let people know if your tea is caffeinated or not!

    Lemon juice - this cuts the sweetness and I think it's also the perfect accompaniment to tea.

    How to Make Canned Fruit Iced Tea

    A wooden spoon in a half gallon jar of water.

    Step 1: Add tea bags, lemon juice, and salt to a gallon jar. Add hot tap water and let steep for 15 minutes.

    A pitcher of blueberry syrup next to a jar of tea.

    Step 2: Remove the tea bags and add in the blueberry juice. Top off the jar with cool water.

    Step 3: Give a quick taste and adjust for sweetness or lemon. Chill and serve!

    Tips and Tricks

    • Scale this in half if you only have a half gallon pitcher on hand (or use two pitchers!).
    • Test this with different types of tea to find your favorite.
    • Don't skip the salt or lemon juice - I find they really balance out the sweetness from the canned fruit.
    Two pint jars of blueberry iced tea next to a gallon jar.

    Substitutions

    Use any sort of canned fruit juice you have on hand. Make fun combinations! Let the kids pick their favourites.

    Try flavoured tea in addition to the juice. Maybe a peach tea with blueberry juice??

    Depending on how much sugar you put in your canned fruit, you might find it sweet enough, or like you need to add some honey or sugar to sweeten it more. If by chance you make REALLY sweet canned fruit...you might need to dial back how much of the fruit juice you add total.

    FAQs

    Is hot tap water ok to use?

    For us here, I'm not worried. I'm not using super hot water, just hot enough from the tap so that I don't have to heat a kettle. It all depends on if you consider your hot tap drinkable, which depends on your pipes and the age of the system and all that. You can always heat water on the stove or in the microwave if you prefer.

    Can I use loose tea instead?

    Absolutely! Customize this however you like. Just keep in mind I use "three teabags" so use your best guess as to how much loose tea that translates too. I also steep a bit longer than the package states. Because we are adding a decent amount of fruit juice it will cut any bitterness from the long steep.

    Top view of two pint jars of blueberry iced tea with lemon wedges.

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    Hey friends, don't forget to follow me over on Instagram, cause if you like me here, I post there a LOT! I'm also on YouTube with tutorials and Facebook for all sorts of things.

    If you like this recipe, I’d love if you reviewed it so others can find it easier. Sharing this recipe on Facebook or Pinterest is another way you can help us out at no cost to you. Thanks, xo Kate

    Two pint jars of blueberry iced tea next to a gallon jar.

    Naturally Sweetened Blueberry Iced Tea Recipe

    Kate Schat
    Canning fruit means delicious jars of juice remain. Add it to freshly brewed tea for amazing, naturally-sweetened fruity iced tea.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 39 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups canned blueberry juice from canned blueberries (or other juice from canned fruit)
    • 3 black or green tea bags
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • Pinch salt
    • 1 quart hot water
    • Cold water to cover

    Instructions
     

    • In a gallon jar, put your tea bags, lemon juice, salt and hot water and let steep 15 minutes.
    • Take the tea bags out, add in blueberry juice and cold water to fill. Taste for sweetness/lemon juice and adjust as needed.
    • Serve over ice or chill for later.

    Notes

    • Use any fruit juice you'd like.
    • Depending on how much sugar you put in your canned fruit, you might find it sweet enough, or like you need to add some honey or sugar to sweeten it more. If the chance that you make REALLY sweet canned fruit...you might need to dial back how much of the fruit juice you add to it.
    • If you don't have a gallon jars, feel free to scale this in half for a half gallon jar/jug.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pintCalories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi, I'm Kate! Thank you for joining us on this crazy journey! Our family lives on a 34 acre homestead in northern BC, Canda and get a kick out of things like raising our own meat, dairy and vegetables.

    We’re a homeschooling family who believes life is the best teacher but we do hit the books in winter. I’m so glad you’re here, I hope you stick around!

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