Sparkling Blueberry Iced Tea

Growing up in Louisiana, tea was never just something we drank, it was practically a language in our house. There was always a pitcher going on the counter, and some of my best memories are the simplest ones: sitting on the porch with a cold glass, catching up on nothing in particular. That is where my love of tea started, and it is why I am always looking for a new way to serve it. This sparkling blueberry iced tea is one of our favorite variations, a bright, fizzy twist on the tea I grew up sipping.

It has become our go-to for evening get-togethers, because it is completely caffeine-free. Nobody is wide awake at nine o’clock, and it still feels special enough to serve in place of a cocktail. We steep Rishi’s Blueberry Shiso Iced Tea until it is deep and ruby-colored, let it cool, then top it with sparkling water right before serving.

We love trying different tea variations in our house, and this one has earned a permanent spot in the rotation. It comes together with almost no hands-on effort, and it looks like it took a lot more work than it actually did.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Completely caffeine-free – Rishi’s Blueberry Shiso blend is a pure botanical tea, so this one is fair game any time of day, including late in the evening.
• Just a few ingredients – tea, water, and sparkling water. Sweetener is entirely optional.
• Easy to make ahead – brew the tea base in advance and top with sparkling water right before you serve.
• A genuine alcohol-free option – it looks and feels festive enough to serve alongside cocktails without anyone feeling like they settled.

Ingredients for Sparkling Blueberry Iced Tea

Here is everything you need:

• 500 mL (about 2 cups) water, heated to 200°F – We heat ours in the BUYDEEM Tea Maker, which has a dial for exact temperatures, so there is no guessing or babysitting a kettle.
• 1 Rishi Tea Blueberry Shiso Iced Tea sachet – this is the one we use, an organic, caffeine-free botanical blend of blueberry, red shiso, raspberry, lemon, spearmint, and lavender. Rishi tea bags brew strong, so we typically reuse the same sachet two to three times before it is spent.
• Chilled sparkling water, to top – we like San Pellegrino, but any sparkling or mineral water you have on hand works.
• Ice, for serving
• Sweetener of choice (optional) – simple syrup, cane sugar, coconut sugar, or whatever you keep on hand. We personally serve this one unsweetened, but if you like your tea sweeter, start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Equipment

• BUYDEEM Tea Maker – a 1.2L glass electric kettle with 5 temperature settings, so 200°F water is one button away.
• Rishi Simple Brew Loose Leaf Glass Teapot – not required, but this is what we steep and serve from. The strainer lid catches the sachet, and the glass lets you watch the color deepen while it steeps.
• Any glass you like for serving – we used footed glasses in the photo, but anything works

How to Make Sparkling Blueberry Iced Tea

1. Heat 500 mL of water to 200°F in the tea maker.
2. Pour the hot water into the glass teapot and add the Rishi Blueberry Shiso Iced Tea sachet.
3. Steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bag. (Set it aside if you are planning to reuse it.)
4. Let the tea cool to room temperature, or refrigerate until chilled.
5. Fill glasses with ice, pour the tea about halfway, then top with chilled sparkling water. Stir in sweetener if you are using it, and serve.

Tips for the Best Sparkling Blueberry Iced Tea

• Reuse the tea bag. Rishi’s sachets brew strong, so a second or third steep still gives you good color and flavor, and stretches the box further.
• Cool the tea fully before adding sparkling water. Topping off warm tea knocks the fizz out faster, so let it cool or chill first.
• Adjust the ratio to taste. More tea gives you a bolder glass; more sparkling water makes it lighter and more refreshing.
• Brew the base ahead of time. Make the tea a day or two before your gathering and keep it in the fridge, then top with sparkling water right before guests arrive so every glass stays fizzy.

What to Serve with Sparkling Blueberry Iced Tea

This is one of the drinks on our menu for game night entertaining, since a caffeine-free, alcohol-free option is an easy way to make sure every guest has something to sip during a long game. It also fits right in for an afternoon tea spread alongside our Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, or set it out next to our Island Iced Tea so guests can choose between a classic sweet tea and a sparkling option.

Storage and Reheating

The brewed tea base keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a sealed pitcher or jar. Hold off on adding the sparkling water until you are ready to serve, since it goes flat once mixed in ahead of time. This tea is meant to be served cold, so there is no reheating involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sparkling blueberry iced tea caffeine-free?

Yes. Rishi’s Blueberry Shiso Iced Tea is a pure botanical blend, meaning it is made from fruit, herbs, and flowers rather than tea leaves, so it contains no caffeine. That makes this a good choice to serve any time of day, including evening gatherings.

Can I reuse the tea bag?

We do, most of the time. Rishi’s sachets brew strong, so we typically get two to three good steeps out of one bag before the flavor fades.

What sparkling water should I use?

Any sparkling or mineral water works. We like San Pellegrino for its flavor and fine bubbles, but a plain sparkling water from the grocery store is perfectly fine too.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Brew the tea base up to 3 days ahead and keep it chilled. Wait to add the sparkling water until just before serving so it stays fizzy.

How do I sweeten this tea?

We serve ours unsweetened, but if you like it sweeter, simple syrup, cane sugar, and coconut sugar all work well. Start with a small amount, stir, and adjust to taste.

Can I use a different Rishi tea flavor?

Absolutely. Hibiscus Berry or Blueberry Rooibos are both caffeine-free botanical blends that would work beautifully in this recipe if you want to switch things up.

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