Southern Strawberry Iced Sweet Tea
A refreshing and homemade Strawberry Sweet Tea, perfect for hot days. Combining classic sweet tea flavors with real strawberries, this drink is easy to make and customizable.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Syrup
- 2 cups 2 to 3 cups strawberries, hulled Fresh is best, frozen works too.
- 1 cup 1 cup water For the syrup.
- 1 to 1.25 cups 1 to 1 and 1/4 cups sugar Adjust to taste.
For the Tea
- 8 cups 8 cups water, divided 4 cups for brewing tea, 4 cups cold.
- 4 to 6 bags 4 to 6 black tea bags Use 4 for lighter tea, 6 for stronger tea.
- 1 to 2 tablespoons 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice Optional, but adds freshness.
- 1 pinch Pinch of baking soda Optional, to reduce bitterness.
- Ice, for serving For chilled tea.
- Extra strawberries and lemon slices For serving.
Optional Add-ins
- a few sprigs A few sprigs of fresh mint For extra flavor.
- 1 splash A splash of vanilla For added flavor.
- 1 spoonful A spoonful of strawberry jam If your berries are not very sweet.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a saucepan, add strawberries, 1 cup of water, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the strawberries break down and the liquid turns bright red.
- Strain the syrup through a fine strainer into a bowl if you want a smooth tea, or skip straining for a homemade vibe with bits of berry.
- In a different pot, bring 4 cups of water to a near boil, turn off heat, add tea bags, and let steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove tea bags without squeezing them.
- In a pitcher, combine the brewed tea, strawberry syrup, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir well and add lemon juice if desired.
Chill and Serve
- Let the tea cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or pour over ice for quicker chilling.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in the chilled tea, and add sliced strawberries if desired.
- Taste after cooling and add more sugar if needed while the tea is still slightly warm.
Notes
Strawberry Sweet Tea is best enjoyed fresh within the first 2 days, and will keep for about 4 days in the fridge. Adjust sugar to taste.