Blackberry-Bourbon Iced Tea

Combine the blackberries, sugar, and coarsely chopped mint in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon and let sit while making the tea. While the blackberries are macerating, bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, remove from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for about 3 minutes. Remove the bags and pour the tea over the blackberry mixture. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour for the flavors to meld. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, pressing on the solids, cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. Cook's Note: You can also pour the mixture into a bowl set inside an ice bath to cool the mixture faster. Serve the blackberry tea over ice in tall glasses and float a shot of bourbon on top and garnish with lots of fresh mint sprigs...(like a Mint Julep).