Description
Strawberry Sweet Tea is a refreshing twist on classic Southern sweet tea, infused with fruity homemade strawberry syrup. This vibrant, lightly sweetened iced tea is perfect for summer sipping, picnics, and porch lounging. Easy to make with fresh or frozen strawberries, it’s the ultimate warm-weather drink.
Ingredients
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2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped (or use frozen)
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1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
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7–8 cups water, divided (1 cup for syrup + 4 cups for steeping tea + 2–3 cups to dilute)
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4–6 black tea bags (such as Lipton or your favorite brand)
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1 pinch baking soda (optional, helps reduce bitterness in tea)
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Ice cubes, for serving
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Lemon slices or fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
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In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until strawberries are soft and the mixture thickens slightly.
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Strain strawberry syrup through a fine mesh sieve and let it cool.
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In a separate pot, boil 4 cups of water. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 5–7 minutes. Discard tea bags and stir in a pinch of baking soda (optional).
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In a large pitcher, mix the brewed tea with the strawberry syrup. Add 2–3 cups of cold water to reach your desired strength.
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Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
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Serve over ice with optional lemon or mint garnish.
Notes
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Frozen strawberries can be used in place of fresh.
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Baking soda softens any bitterness from the black tea.
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Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar or diluting with more water.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Freeze leftover tea into cubes to avoid dilution when serving.
