Blackberry Iced Tea - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups fresh blackberries (or 3 cups frozen blackberries, thawed)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped of fresh mint
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
2 1/2 cups cold water

Preparation

Add the blackberries and sugar to a large container; stir to combine.
Crush the blackberries with a wooden spoon.
Add in mint and baking soda; stir to combine; set aside.
Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand for 3 minutes.
Discard tea bags.
Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Pour tea mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a large pitcher; discard solids.
Add in 2 1/2 cups cold water; stir until sugar dissolves.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.