Description
This Strawberry Sweet Tea is a delightful and refreshing twist on classic sweet tea, combining the bold flavor of black tea with the natural sweetness and vibrant taste of fresh strawberries. Perfect for warm weather, this fruity beverage is sweetened to taste, infused with optional lemon juice for a citrusy kick, and garnished with lemon slices and fresh mint for a beautiful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 4-6 black tea bags (depending on desired strength)
- 5 cups water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Strawberry Syrup
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Additional Flavor & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for extra citrus flavor)
- Lemon slices (for flavor and decoration)
- Fresh mint leaves (for a fresh touch)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: In a saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 4-6 black tea bags based on how strong you want your tea. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes to extract full flavor. Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar while the tea is still warm until completely dissolved. Allow the tea to cool, then refrigerate to chill.
- Prepare the Strawberry Syrup: In another saucepan, combine 2 cups of fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, mashing the strawberries with a spoon or masher to release their juice. Continue to simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Optionally, strain the syrup to remove solids and cool it to room temperature.
- Combine Tea and Syrup: In a large pitcher, mix the chilled sweet tea with the cooled strawberry syrup. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice if desired for a citrusy brightness. Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar if preferred, stirring until integrated.
- Serve and Garnish: Fill glasses with ice and pour the strawberry sweet tea over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves for a refreshing aroma and vibrant look. Serve immediately and enjoy the fruity, sweet, and refreshing flavors.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of tea bags based on desired tea strength.
- Straining the strawberry syrup is optional; leaving the pulp adds texture.
- Lemon juice adds a bright contrast to the sweetness but can be omitted if preferred.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor; frozen can be used in a pinch.
- This tea is best served cold and consumed within 2-3 days if refrigerated.