Blackberry-Bourbon Iced Tea

• 3 cups fresh blackberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, plus mint sprigs for garnish
• 6 good-quality black tea bags
• Good-quality bourbon, to taste (Bobby likes Woodford Reserve)

1. Combine the blackberries, sugar and chopped mint in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon; let sit while making the tea.
2. While the blackberries are macerating, bring 1 1/2 quarts cold water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
3. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for about 3 minutes.
4. Remove the tea bags and pour the tea over the blackberry mixture.
5. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
6. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, pressing on the solids.
7. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
8. (You can also pour the mixture into a bowl set over an ice bath to cool it faster.)
9. Serve the blackberry tea over ice in tall glasses and float a shot of bourbon on top of each.
10. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs (like a mint julep).
11. Photograph by Lisa Shin

fresh blackberries, sugar, fresh mint, bourbon

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/blackberry-bourbon-iced-tea-recipe.html (may not work)