Description
What if you could turn a simple glass of tea into a sweet, fruity, and refreshing summer drink in just a few steps? That’s exactly what we’re going to do today with this delicious Strawberry Sweet Tea! It’s cool, it’s pink, and it tastes like sunshine in a glass. Whether you’re sitting on the porch, hosting a picnic, or just want a drink that makes you smile, this is the recipe for you.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the best Strawberry Sweet Tea
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Water: You’ll need 8 cups total, divided between the tea and strawberry syrup
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Black Tea Bags: This is your base, giving the tea its rich, classic flavor
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Baking Soda: Just a pinch keeps the tea smooth and helps reduce bitterness
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Strawberries: Fresh, chopped strawberries give the drink its sweet, fruity flavor and lovely red color
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Granulated Sugar: Makes the syrup sweet and helps blend everything together
Substitutions and Variations
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Tea Bags: Use green tea or decaf black tea if preferred
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Sugar: Swap with honey or maple syrup if you want a natural sweetener
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Strawberries: Use frozen if fresh aren’t available—just thaw them first
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Add-ons: Try adding lemon slices, mint leaves, or even a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy twist
Instructions
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once it boils, remove from the heat. Add 8 black tea bags and let them steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and gently squeeze out the extra liquid using tongs. Pour the tea into a large pitcher and add 4 more cups of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir to combine.
Using the same saucepan, add the remaining 2 cups of water, 4 cups of chopped strawberries, and 1½ cups of sugar. Bring this to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool for a few minutes.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a cup or small pitcher. Press the strawberries gently to get all the juice out. Discard the solids or save them for a dessert topping.
Add the strawberry syrup to your pitcher of tea and stir well. Chill in the fridge until cold. When ready to serve, pour over ice and enjoy your refreshing homemade Strawberry Sweet Tea!