Welcome back to our culinary corner, the EZ Gluten® Test Kitchen where we create gluten free versions of everyday meals, drinks, and other treats you can safely savor. Today, we’re brewing a sweet summer twist on traditional iced tea: Blueberry Infused Iced Tea. This fun alternative of iced tea is perfect for picnics, BBQs, or any summertime get together. Join us as we explore the vibrant fusion of fresh blueberries and black tea to discover how this delightful drink can elevate you to a summer paradise with every sip.

We hope you will give it a try and let us know what you think. Feel free to leave a comment or post a picture! Questions about this or other recipes, email us at ezglutentestkitchen@elisa-tek.com.

Gluten-Free Blueberry Infused Iced Tea

Yields: 2 Quarts

Please see the notes at the end of this recipe for more information concerning using alternative sweeteners, making an unsweetened version, and other helpful information.

Equipment

A 2 -quart pitcher
Fine mesh strainer, medium-sized
Saucepan, small
Medium/large pot for brewing the tea
Measuring Cup – whatever size you have
Long Spoon – for stirring and mixing

Ingredients for Tea

6 cups of water
4 – 6 gluten free tea bags

Ingredients for Blueberry Syrup

2 cups of fresh blueberries, about 10 to 12 ounces
2 cups of water
1 cup of sugar
Juice of half a lemon

Directions

For the blueberry Syrup

To start we will need to clean the berries. You can just use plain water, but we recommend rinsing them using cold water & white vinegar. Just add 1 cup of white vinegar to 4 cups of water and allow your berries to sit for 2 to 3 minutes before straining and patting dry. Alternatively, you can use 1 teaspoon of baking soda to add 4 cups of water and allow the berries to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing well and patting dry.

Next, in a small saucepan, add the washed blueberries, 2 cups of water, sugar, and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Bring the mixture to boil over high heat.

Once the mixture is at a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally as needed to prevent burning.

Allow the mixture to cool.

After about 15 minutes passed, remove the mixture from the heat. Carefully, using a mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a measuring cup or bowl, discarding the blueberry pulp.

For the Tea

In a large pot add 6 cups of cold water and bring to a hard boil. Once boiling, shut off the heat and add 4 to 6 tea bags and allow them to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. If you are using family size tea bags you should only need 4 . The more tea bags you use the stronger the tea flavor, so brew the tea to your liking.

Mixing it & Storage

Once your tea is ready you can add it to your pitcher, then slowly add your blueberry syrup mixture and mix until well combined. You may want to use a long spoon to help mix. Now just pop into your fridge to cool or serve it up immediately in glasses with plenty of ice.

Notes

In general, pure black, green, white, oolong, rooibos, and puerh teas are gluten free. Many herbal blends, chai, matcha, sprouted seed teas as well as flavored or blended teas may contain gluten. It is important to be aware that barely, malt, and rye are not typically declared as allergens. Look for a gluten-free label (many tea companies label the gluten-free status of their teas) and always contact the manufacturer if you are uncertain.

Always be sure to check the products label.

Store in your fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or until it becomes bitter.

You can use cold brew tea instead of brewing the tea stove top if you’d prefer. Be sure to make it ahead of time and follow the brewing instructions of your tea brand.

We made this using black tea, but you can switch it up and use any variety of tea you’d like.

Frozen blueberries can be used but be aware they will impart less flavor and natural sweetness than fresh. We do not recommend using canned blueberries.

You can use an alternative sweetener in place of sugar. Generally, you can use alternative sweeteners, such as honey or monk fruit 1:1. We recommend checking with the manufactures of whatever brand sweetener you wish to use to be sure.

If you prefer an unsweetened version, follow the blueberry syrup directions but skip adding the sugar. You will still get all the goodness of the fresh blueberries and their natural sweetness.

Feel free to add zest from your lemon to the tea or mix it up and toss in some mint at the end.

EZGluten® Test Kitchen
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