Just five simple ingredients make this sophisticated and beautiful summer drink. The iced tea and simple syrup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week. Keep them on hand, then just pop open a bottle of sparkling wine and mix the drinks when guests arrive.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 15 min |
| Prep: | 5 min |
| Inactive: | 1 hr 5 min |
| Cook: | 5 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 6 Earl Grey tea bags
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large bunch mint, stems and leaves roughly chopped (about 2 cups), plus 4 sprigs for garnish
- 1 large bunch mint, stems and leaves roughly chopped (about 2 cups), plus 4 sprigs for garnish
- 2 cups blueberries
- Sparkling wine, cold
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags. Stir in 1 cup ice cubes until completely melted. Pour the tea into a liquid measuring cup, and let it chill completely in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely melted, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the mint and stir until it has completely wilted. Let cool completely at room temperature, at least 30 minutes.
- Strain the cooled mint syrup into a large liquid measuring cup or a pitcher, then press the leaves with a wooden spoon or spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the mint. Add the blueberries, and use a wooden spoon or a potato masher to lightly crush most of them (a few whole blueberries is fine). Add the chilled tea, and stir to combine.
- To serve, fill 4 tall glasses with ice. Divide the blueberry mixture among them. Add enough sparkling wine to fill each glass. Garnish with a mint sprig, and serve immediately.
Reviews
I made this for Mother’s Day a few years ago and now I make it for every family function! It’s very refreshing and light which is nice during the summer.
This is a interesting summer drink I wouldn’t mind trying. The mint and blueberries would give the tea some nice character. The sparkling wine would give it that nice bubbly texture for a smooth finish. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/earl-grey-tea-and-blueberry-spritzer.html