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This chilled strawberry tea is a zesty drink that’s perfect for hot afternoons. It mixes ripe strawberries’ natural sweetness with bold black tea and a splash of tangy lemon juice for a fresh and tasty sip.
I whipped this up one warm day and it quickly became a backyard favorite on weekends.
What You Need
- 6 cups water split up: for brewing tea and thinning out the drink
- 5 black tea bags: pick a strong one so the flavor comes through
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice: brightens things up and cuts the sweet taste
- 2 cups fresh strawberries cut up: get the ripest ones for the best color and taste
- Ice cubes: cool down and dilute the drink just right
- ½ cup sugar: stirred into the tea to smooth out acidity
- Fresh mint: optional but great for a fresh smell and look
- 1 cup strawberry syrup: this homemade sweetener carries the berry flavor all through
- ¾ cup sugar: this is for making the syrup and helps pull the juice from the strawberries
- Sliced strawberries: nice to top off glasses for a pretty finish
- 2 cups water: used in the syrup to soften the berries
How To Make It
- Make The Strawberry Syrup
- Take a small pot and put in sliced strawberries, ¾ cup sugar, and 2 cups water. Heat over medium and stir a bit now and then for about half an hour until the berries break down and get soft. This slow cook melts the sugar and gets all the berry flavor out. Take it off the heat and push the mix through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a container. Press gently so you get all the syrup, then toss the leftover pulp. Let that syrup cool off completely before you use it.
- Brew The Tea
- In another pot, boil 2 cups of water on medium. As soon as it bubbles, pull it off the stove and dunk in the tea bags. Let them sit for 5 minutes to get a strong brew then fish out and throw away the bags. While the tea is warm, stir in ½ cup sugar till it’s all gone.
- Mix Everything Together
- Pour your cooled strawberry syrup into a big pitcher. Add the sweet tea plus the leftover 4 cups of water into the mix. Stir to bring all the flavors in line. Pour in the lemon juice and give it one last gentle stir for perfect sweet and tart balance.
- Time to Serve
- Fill some tall glasses with lots of ice and pour your strawberry iced tea over. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and some sliced strawberries for a nice festive look.
I remember making this with my kids on a sunny day. They loved watching the syrup bubble away in the pot.
Keeping It Fresh
Any iced tea you don't finish should go in a sealed jug in the fridge and it'll last about three days. Keep your strawberry syrup in its own airtight container so you can pop it in other drinks or desserts later. Storing separately helps keep things tasting fresh without syrup sinking or going off.
Switch It Up
Try swapping out black tea for green tea for a lighter, flowery vibe. Use honey instead of regular sugar for sweetness, just add it to warm tea so it melts right in. Lime juice is a neat twist if you want something a bit different than lemon.
Serve It Up
Add fresh berries or a lemon slice on the rim to jazz it up. This tea goes great with light salads, grilled chicken, or cool treats like sorbet. For a fizzy touch, splash in some sparkling water and you’ve got a bubbly strawberry lemonade.
The secret to making this work is just being patient while the syrup simmers and letting the tea bags steep long enough.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Which tea works best?
Black tea bags give a bold base that pairs nicely with the sweet strawberries.
- → How do I make syrup from strawberries?
Cook sliced strawberries with sugar and water over medium heat till soft and thick, then strain to get the yummy syrup.
- → Can I change the sweetness?
Yes, you can add more or less sugar depending on how sweet your berries are or what you like.
- → What’s a good topping to use?
Fresh mint leaves and sliced strawberries look nice and boost the taste when you serve it.
- → How long should I steep the tea?
Steep black tea bags in hot water for about five minutes so the flavor is strong but not bitter.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Get the syrup and tea ready first, then mix and chill it before adding ice to serve.