Save Pin
I like making this strawberry iced tea because it turns leftover summer berries into a pitcher of cold, tasty drinks for everyone to sip on when it's hot out. Bright, tangy lemon and bold tea mix with sweet strawberries for something colorful and seriously refreshing. At our family grills, this drink is the first thing gone every time.
Delightful Ingredients
- Fresh mint and strawberry slices: Toss these on top for a pop of color and fresh scent in each cup
- Ice cubes: Make your drink super cold fast. Use new ice for the clearest look
- Water: Needed for both the syrup step and to mix the tea. Filtered is best if you've got it
- Black tea bags: Brings a strong tea backbone so the berry flavor stands out. Floral black teas are nice too
- Fresh lemon juice: Gives a zippy brightness and keeps everything from getting too sweet. Squeeze real lemons for cleaner flavor
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens up both syrup and tea. Go with fine sugar for easy mixing with no crunchy bits
- Fresh strawberries: Slice 'em up. Super ripe berries are best for lots of taste and bold color
Simple Steps
- Serve It Up:
- Pack your glass full with ice. Pour in strawberry tea. Toss in some mint and a strawberry slice to top it off. You’ll want to drink it right away while it’s cold and fresh
- Put It Together:
- Drop the cooled strawberry syrup into a big pitcher with your brewed tea. Pour in lemon juice. Finish with four cups of cold water. Grab a whisk and mix until smooth throughout
- Let the Tea Steep:
- Boil two cups of water. Take it off the heat and toss in tea bags. Pop a lid on and let them sit for about five minutes. Pull the bags out and stir sugar until you don’t see any at the bottom
- Fix the Strawberry Syrup:
- Add sliced strawberries, sugar, and water to a small pot over medium heat. Stir here and there while it cooks—give it about half an hour until the berries fall apart and it smells sweet. Press everything through a colander and scrape all the juicy bits out. The syrup cools in its own jar
Save Pin
Once I had leftover strawberry syrup and drizzled it on pancakes for breakfast. Now my kids always ask for that Sunday treat. The whole house smells like strawberries when it’s cooking and that always gets everyone excited for a snack.
Smart Storage
Stick extra strawberry syrup in a closed jar in the fridge for up to three days. If you made it before, don’t forget to let it warm up to room temp first so it mixes in easy. Only keep the mixed iced tea for a day—drink it while it’s new, or it’ll lose that bright fruit taste and go flat on you
Easy Ingredient Swaps
If you like, swap black tea with green or decaf—both taste great with strawberries but you’ll notice a slight change. Unripe berries? Just use more sugar or pour in a shot of bottle strawberry juice. Try citrusy lime if you’re low on lemons. And don’t worry, honey works fine instead of sugar and adds a flowery vibe
Save Pin
Fun Ways to Share
This one brings the party to summer hangs, brunch with friends, or lazy snack time. Pour over lots of ice, plate up with fruity scones, or serve it next to grilled eats at a BBQ. Want to make it extra cute? Lay out bowls of fresh fruit and mint so folks can dress up their own glasses. Colorful straws are fun too
Where It Comes From
Sipping sweet tea is a classic staple for lots of southern homes—it’s strong tea poured over ice. Adding fruit is a newer twist, inspired by local farmstands and what’s in season. Strawberry tea really took off because it’s an easy way to use up a ton of berries in peak summer
Common Questions
- → Can I use frozen strawberries?
Totally! If you don't have fresh, thaw some frozen ones before cooking so you get all their flavor in the syrup.
- → What type of tea works best?
Bold black tea is classic, but swap in decaf or even green tea if that's what you've got. Just brew to your liking.
- → How do I make it less sweet?
Cut down the sugar in both your strawberry mix and your tea, or toss in a bit more lemon juice to bring out some tang.
- → How long will strawberry iced tea stay fresh?
Keep it chilled in the fridge and use it up within a day for best flavor. The berry syrup lasts a few days if you prep ahead.
- → Can I add herbs or other fruits?
Go for it! Mint is always tasty, and adding some raspberries or sliced orange can really change things up.