Blackberry Sweet Tea - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen blackberries, thawed)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped of fresh mint
1 pinch baking soda (optional)
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags (decaf is best)
2 1/2 cups cold water
fresh blackberries (to garnish)

Preparation

Combine blackberries and sugar in a large container, and crush with a wooden spoon; stir in mint and baking soda(if using).
Boill 4 cups of water and pour over tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.
Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Garnish, if desired.