Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

Introduction

Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic favorite, blending the rich flavor of brewed tea with the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries. Perfect for hot days, this vibrant drink is both delicious and easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 4-5 family-size tea bags (Luzianne recommended)
• 6 cups water (divided)
• 4 cups ripe strawberries (about 1 cup of juice)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• Frozen or fresh strawberries (optional garnish)
• Fresh mint (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. You can also heat the water in the microwave if preferred.
2. Step 2: Remove the pot from heat and add the tea bags.
3. Step 3: Let the tea bags steep for 10 minutes, then remove and discard them.
4. Step 4: While the tea steeps, dice the strawberries.
5. Step 5: Place the diced strawberries in a food processor and puree until smooth.
6. Step 6: Strain the pureed strawberries through a mesh strainer, collecting the juice and discarding the pulp.
7. Step 7: In a large pitcher, combine the brewed tea, strawberry juice, and granulated sugar.
8. Step 8: Stir the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved.
9. Step 9: Add 4 cups of cold water and stir again.
10. Step 10: Refrigerate the tea until it is ice cold.
11. Step 11: Serve the tea over ice immediately.
12. Step 12: For a decorative and tasty touch, use frozen strawberries as ice cubes and garnish with fresh strawberries or mint, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor, or try frozen berries in the off-season.
• Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar to suit your taste.
• Replace some cold water with sparkling water for a fizzy version.
• Add a splash of lemon juice for a subtle citrus twist.

Storage

Store the tea in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. If it loses some flavor, you can add a little more fresh strawberry juice or sugar. Reheat is not recommended, but it is best served chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of tea?

Yes, black tea is traditional and works best, but you can experiment with green tea or herbal teas for different flavors.

How long will this iced tea stay fresh?

This strawberry sweet tea stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 days. After that, the flavor and freshness will start to decline.

Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 139 reviews

• Author: Harry
• Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

This Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea is a refreshing and flavorful twist on classic sweet tea, combining brewed black tea with fresh strawberry juice and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for hot summer days, this iced tea is both vibrant and thirst-quenching, ideal for serving at gatherings or as a delightful everyday refreshment.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Tea Base

• 4–5 family-size black tea bags (Luzianne recommended)
• 2 cups water (for brewing tea)
• 4 cups cold water (to dilute)

Strawberry Juice

• 4 cups ripe strawberries (about 1 cup juice)

Sweetener

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Garnish (Optional)

• Frozen or fresh strawberries
• Fresh mint leaves

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Instructions

1. Boil water: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil on the stovetop, or heat the water in the microwave until boiling.
2. Steep tea bags: Remove the boiling water from heat, add 4-5 family-size black tea bags, and let steep for 10 minutes to extract rich flavor. After steeping, discard the tea bags.
3. Prepare strawberries: While the tea steeps, dice the ripe strawberries into smaller pieces to make processing easier.
4. Puree strawberries: Place the diced strawberries into a food processor and blend until smooth to create strawberry puree.
5. Strain strawberry juice: Pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer, collecting the juice in a bowl while discarding the pulp for a smooth texture.
6. Combine ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix the brewed tea, freshly extracted strawberry juice, and granulated sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely.
7. Add cold water: Pour in 4 cups of cold water to the mixture to dilute and cool it down, stirring gently to blend everything evenly.
8. Chill the tea: Refrigerate the pitcher for several hours until the tea is ice cold, enhancing the refreshing taste.
9. Serve: Pour the strawberry sweet iced tea over ice cubes in serving glasses.
10. Garnish (optional): Add frozen strawberries as natural ice cubes and garnish with fresh strawberries or mint leaves to enhance the presentation and flavor.

Notes

• Use family-size tea bags for robust flavor and easier brewing.
• Adjust sugar to taste if you prefer less or more sweetness.
• Frozen strawberries double as ice cubes without watering down the tea.
• For a stronger tea flavor, steep tea bags longer but avoid bitterness.
• Straining strawberry juice removes seeds and pulp, making the tea smooth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Southern sweet tea, strawberry iced tea, summer drinks, refreshing beverage, fruit-infused tea