Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe
Imagine a glass beaded with condensation, brimming with ruby-red liquid, fragrant with berries and mint: that’s the magic of a real Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe. This isn’t just any sweet tea—it’s summer in a glass, marrying the bold, familiar comfort of classic Southern black tea with the lush, sun-ripened flavor of sweet strawberries. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just need to treat yourself on a hot afternoon, this twist on a Southern staple is about to become your go-to refreshment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
For the Tea:
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups cold water
For the Strawberry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- Ice and extra strawberry slices for serving
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
How to Make Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe
Step 1: Brew the Tea
Start by bringing 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Once it’s bubbling, remove the pan from heat and add those sturdy black tea bags. Let them steep for 5 to 7 minutes, enough time to draw out their full-bodied, slightly malty flavor. This is the backbone of your Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe—a rich, amber brew that’s strong but never bitter. Discard the tea bags and let this base cool slightly while you move on to the next step.
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Syrup
In a second saucepan, combine your hulled and sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Set the burner to medium heat and let the mixture bubble and simmer, stirring occasionally. As the strawberries soften and the sugar melts, your kitchen will start to smell incredible! After about 8 to 10 minutes, the berries will release their juices. Grab a spoon or fork and gently mash them to coax out every last drop of flavor.
Step 3: Strain and Combine
Once your berry mixture is ready, pour it through a fine mesh sieve directly into a large pitcher. Use the back of a spoon to press all that sweet juice through—don’t let any go to waste! Discard the remaining pulp. Now, pour your brewed black tea into the pitcher with the fresh strawberry syrup, followed by the remaining 3 cups of cold water. If you’re a fan of a little zing, stir in the lemon juice. Give everything a good mix so the flavors blend beautifully.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Pop your pitcher of Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe into the fridge and let it chill for at least 1 hour. This cooling time melds the tea and fruit flavors into a truly refreshing harmony. When you’re ready to serve, fill glasses with plenty of ice, ladle in the sparkling pink tea, and decorate with strawberry slices or mint. Each sip is cool, sweet, and impossibly refreshing!
How to Serve Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing isn’t just about looks—it adds a little extra charm and some surprising pops of flavor. I love tossing a few fresh strawberry slices into each glass, plus a sprig of mint for a brisk, fragrant lift. A wedge of lemon or a twist of peel also makes your drink look and taste sophisticated with barely any effort.
Side Dishes
The Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe is practically made for long, leisurely meals outdoors. Pair it with summery fare like buttermilk fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, grilled corn, or a crisp cucumber salad. It also goes hand-in-hand with sweet treats like peach cobbler or lemon bars—perfect for picnics and potlucks alike!
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve your tea in mason jars for that classic Southern touch, or try clear pitchers and glasses to showcase its gorgeous pink color. For parties, float whole berries and mint leaves in the pitcher. Hosting a brunch? Pour over crushed ice for a slushy twist, or swap some of the water for sparkling water just before serving to create a bubbly, festive vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe, simply cover your pitcher or transfer the tea to a sealed container. Pop it in the refrigerator, where it’ll stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. The flavors often get even better after a day’s rest!
Freezing
Got more tea than you can drink? Freeze it in ice cube trays to reuse in your next round of tea, ensuring you never have to water down your glass. These strawberry tea cubes also make fantastic add-ins for lemonade, cocktails, or other summery spritzers.
Reheating
Since this recipe is meant to be served cold, “reheating” isn’t necessary. However, if you find the chilled tea too brisk, you can let your glass sit at room temperature for a few minutes, or give it a shake for a lightly frothy effect. Never microwave, as that can dull those fresh fruit flavors.
FAQs
Can I use green tea instead of black tea?
Absolutely! Green tea will bring a lighter, more delicate flavor and a pale greenish hue. Just be careful to steep the green tea for less time to avoid bitterness. It’s a lovely variation if you want something a bit different.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, frozen strawberries work wonderfully in this Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe. Just let them thaw before simmering so you can extract as much flavor (and beautiful juice) as possible.
How do I adjust the sweetness?
You can easily adjust the sugar up or down to suit your taste. Start with 1/2 cup, then taste after mixing everything; add more sugar if you’d like it sweeter, or cut back a bit if you prefer your tea less sugary.
Is this recipe vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients are all naturally vegan and gluten-free, making this a treat everyone can enjoy. Just double-check your sugar brand if you’re strict about vegan ingredients.
What if I don’t have a fine mesh sieve?
No worries—you can use a cheesecloth-lined colander or even a clean kitchen towel to strain the strawberry mixture. The key is to get all that flavorful juice while leaving the pulp behind.
Final Thoughts
Just one pitcher of Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe, and you’ll find yourself craving another glass! It’s a delightfully simple, crowd-pleasing drink that turns any sunny day into something special. I hope this recipe brings a touch of Southern hospitality to your table—cheers to new favorites and happy sipping!
Print
Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the refreshing Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea, a delightful beverage perfect for warm days. This homemade sweet tea infused with fresh strawberries is a true taste of Southern comfort.
Ingredients
For the Tea:
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups cold water
For the Strawberry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- Ice and extra strawberry slices for serving
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brew the Tea: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Steep the tea bags for 5 to 7 minutes. Discard the tea bags and let the tea cool slightly.
- Make the Strawberry Syrup: In another saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Simmer until strawberries are soft and sugar is dissolved. Mash gently, then strain through a sieve into a pitcher.
- Combine Ingredients: Add brewed tea, remaining 3 cups of water, and lemon juice to the pitcher. Stir well and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve: Pour over ice, garnish with strawberries and mint.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar
- Frozen strawberries can be used if fresh isn’t available, thaw before using
- For a fizzy version, swap some water with sparkling water
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
