Strawberry Iced Tea
This Strawberry Iced Tea is incredibly refreshing and ideal for summer. The sweet, fruity flavor of fresh strawberries makes this drink a deliciously unique take on traditional iced tea.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Here’s why this recipe is so amazing:
- Simple and Fresh Ingredients: The recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to make the tea and the strawberry syrup.
- Perfect for Parties: This strawberry iced tea is the perfect party drink. It’s non-alcoholic, so everyone can enjoy it.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily adjust the sweetness of the strawberry syrup to your liking.
- Health Benefits: The tea and strawberries in this recipe are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making this a healthy, refreshing drink.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the tea and the strawberry syrup ahead of time and simply mix them together when you’re ready to serve
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Loose Leaf Tea – The loose leaf tea (I used red – Indian) is the star of our show. It’s what gives our iced tea its robust and refreshing flavor.
- Strawberries – We use fresh strawberries to make a simple syrup that adds a sweet and fruity kick to our tea. You can use frozen strawberries, but fresh ones work best.
- Boiling Water – This is used to brew the tea. Make sure it’s boiling for the best extraction of flavors from the tea leaves.
Substitutions And Variations
This refreshing Strawberry Iced Tea is the perfect summer beverage. Here are a few of our favorite variations and substitutions to make it your own:
- Tea: While we used red Indian loose leaf tea, feel free to experiment with black tea, green tea, or even herbal teas like hibiscus for a different flavor profile.
- Sweetener: If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try substituting the sugar with honey or agave syrup. The syrup can also be made with sugar substitutes like stevia.
- Fruit: This recipe is all about the strawberry syrup, but you can definitely get creative with other fruits. Raspberry, blueberry, or a mix of berries can be a delicious substitute.
How to Make Strawberry Iced Tea
Step 1
Add tea and boiling water to a bowl. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the tea then add it to a pitcher.
Step 2
In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and strawberries. Boil for 2 minutes, then let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Strain the syrup and pour it over the prepared tea. Refrigerate until cool.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
I’ve got some great tips to make the process even smoother:
- Make the Strawberry Syrup in Advance: You can prepare the strawberry syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. This way, when you’re ready to make the iced tea, the syrup is already done, and you just need to mix it with the tea.
- Prepare the Entire Drink in Advance: This strawberry iced tea can be made a day in advance. Simply mix the tea with the strawberry syrup and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delicious iced tea.
What To Serve With Strawberry Iced Tea
Main Dishes
- Pair a refreshing glass of strawberry iced tea with a classic BLT sandwich (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) for a satisfying lunch.
- If you’re grilling outdoors, this drink goes well with barbecue favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken.
Appetizers and Snacks
- Enjoy a pitcher of strawberry iced tea with a side of chips and salsa or a creamy spinach and artichoke dip.
- It’s also a great accompaniment to a charcuterie board with a variety of cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this strawberry iced tea, I recommend using a red Indian loose-leaf tea. It has a robust flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberry syrup. However, you can also use other black teas or even green tea if you prefer.
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries to make the syrup. However, using fresh strawberries will give the syrup a more vibrant flavor and color. If you do opt for frozen strawberries, make sure they are thawed before using them.
Strawberry iced tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the flavor might start to deteriorate, so it’s best to consume it within the first 3 days.
Related Recipes
- Ginger Iced Tea – Nothing beats the heat like a chilled glass of ginger iced tea. It’s a soothing, bold drink with a zesty kick
- Iced Sorrel Tea – This simple Sorrel Tea recipe, also known as Hibiscus Tea, is perfectly refreshing, deliciously tangy, and packed with citrus flavor.
- Iced Green Tea – You’ll need 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes to make Iced Green Tea and enjoy it all Summer.
- Southern Iced Tea – This refreshing Southern Iced Tea recipe is perfect for getting that Southern sweet tea fix!
Please Review and Rate
If you have tried this strawberry iced tea recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below about your experience!
Strawberry Iced Tea
Ingredients
TO MAKE THE TEA
- ¼ cup loose leaf tea I used red – Indian
- 3 cups boiling water
TO MAKE THE STRAWBERRY SYRUP
- 3 cup water
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cup chopped strawberry you can use frozen but fresh is much better
Instructions
MAKING THE TEA
- Add the tea to a bowl and pour 3 cups of boiling water. Keep aside for 15 minutes. Pour the tea in a pitcher after straining it with a seive.
MAKING THE SYRUP
- In a sauce pan, add 3 cups of water, the sugar, and strawberries. Let it boil for two minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain the strawberry syrup, discard the strawberries, and pour the syrup over the previously prepared tea. Mix well and when cool place in the refrigerator.
- Serve with ice cubes!
Notes
- Use Fresh Strawberries: For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries. Wash and hull them before use.
- Choose High-Quality Tea: Use a good quality black or green tea as the base. Brew it to your desired strength and let it cool.
- Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less strawberry syrup, or by adding additional sugar, honey, or other sweeteners to taste.
- Chill Properly: Let the tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This prevents the tea from becoming cloudy.
- Serve Over Ice: Serve your strawberry iced tea over plenty of ice, garnished with fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.
This sounds wonderful. I’m going to try it.
It tasted awesome Jeff! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I made the syrup a few days ago and I’m making again today…….so delicious! Added it to ice tea and lemonade! Would be wonderful in cocktails also. My entire family loved it!
Thanks for the kind comment, I’m happy that you and your family have enjoyed it 🙂