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Ingredients
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Tea Base
Blackberry-Lemonade
Cocktail Build & Garnish
Method
Tea Base
Brew and cool
Brew 2 strong cups of Earl Grey tea (use 2 tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose leaf per 2 cups) with near-boiling water for 4–5 minutes for a robust flavor. Remove tea bags or strain leaves, then let the tea cool to room temperature, about 20–30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator if preparing ahead.
If the tea tastes too concentrated once cooled, stir in up to 1/2 cup cold water to adjust strength and account for dilution from ice.
Blackberry-Lemonade
Make blackberry purée
Place the 3 oz fresh blackberries in a small blender or food processor and blitz until smooth. If you prefer a seed-free drink, press the purée through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, using the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. You should get roughly 1/4 to 1/3 cup purée.
Mix lemonade concentrate
In a mixing cup combine 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup simple syrup. Stir until fully combined. Taste and adjust for brightness (add up to 1–2 tablespoons more simple syrup if too tart).
Combine the blackberry purée with the lemonade mixture and stir until uniform. This yields the blackberry-lemonade component.
Cocktail Build & Serve
Assemble the cocktail (single serving)
Fill a large highball or Collins glass with 1 cup of cubed ice. Pour in 2 oz chilled Earl Grey tea, 3 oz blackberry-lemonade mixture (about 6 tablespoons), and 2 oz spirit if using. Gently stir once to combine. If you prefer non-alcoholic, omit the spirit and increase tea by 2 oz or add extra cold water to balance.
Adjust sweetness and dilution
Taste and adjust: for more tartness add 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice; for more sweetness add 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup; to lighten, add a splash (1–2 tablespoons) cold water or extra tea.
Garnish and finish
Garnish with 3 fresh blackberries skewered on a cocktail pick, a lemon wheel on the rim, and an optional mint sprig. Serve immediately with a straw.
To batch for 6 servings: multiply ingredients by 6, combine tea and blackberry-lemonade in a pitcher, stir in spirit if desired, chill, and serve over ice in individual glasses. Keep garnishes fresh and add just before serving.