Blackberry-Bourbon Iced Tea [Brunch @ Bobby’s, page 28 [pictured on page 29], 2015]

This iced drink serves four to six people.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh blackberries, + more for serving
• 0.75 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, + whole sprigs for serving
• 6 good-quality black tea bags
• Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Directions:

1. Combine the blackerries + sugar in a large bowl + masher with either a potato masher or a wooden spoon.
2. While the berries are macerating, bring 1.5 quarts of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.  Remove from the heat, add the mint + tea bags, let brew 3 minutes.  Remove the tea bags + pour the tea over the berry mix.  Let sit at room temperature for 1-4 hours for the flavors to meld.
3. Pour through a sieve into a pitcher, pressing on the solids.  Cover + chill for either 2 hours or overnight.
4. Serve over ice in tall glasses, floating a shot of bourbon on top and garnishing with blackberries and mint sprigs.