How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Sweet Tea at Home

Looking for the ultimate refreshing drink? Strawberry sweet tea is the perfect blend of rich black tea, juicy strawberries, and just the right touch of sweetness. This vibrant twist on a Southern classic is not only easy to make but also irresistibly delicious—you won’t want to miss a sip. Keep reading to discover how to bring this flavor-packed beverage to life!

Strawberry Sweet Tea

Description

Strawberry sweet tea is southern sunshine captured in a glass—a symphony of ripe berries and bold black tea, kissed with just the right touch of sugar. It is the kind of drink that tastes like summer feels: long afternoons on a porch swing, fireflies at dusk, or a picnic blanket spread under clear blue skies. The naturally sweet and slightly tangy strawberries elevate the classic sweet tea into something refreshingly indulgent, while the deep amber hue makes it as beautiful to look at as it is to sip.

Think of it as the love child between your grandma’s sweet tea and fresh-picked strawberry preserves. A swirl of fruit blends with the earthy strength of the tea, each sip carrying a burst of freshness and nostalgia. Whether you serve it over crushed ice or with a sprig of mint, this strawberry sweet tea becomes more than a thirst quencher—it becomes a moment of escape.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This strawberry sweet tea is simple to make with everyday ingredients, yet it delivers a flavor that feels luxurious and unexpected. It is easy to prepare in large batches, making it perfect for barbecues, baby showers, or relaxing days by the pool. You can control the sweetness and even substitute different types of tea or berries depending on your taste.

Beyond flavor, this refreshingly fruity drink avoids artificial additives or syrups. Made entirely from real strawberries and brewed tea, it brings a fresh and wholesome profile that is both satisfying and hydrating.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve strawberry sweet tea over plenty of ice and garnish with fresh strawberry slices or a sprig of mint for a little something extra. To store, keep it chilled in the refrigerator in a sealed pitcher for up to 5 days. Stir before serving, as natural strawberry pulp may settle.

This tea is not freezer-friendly due to the texture changes in the fruit components once defrosted. However, you can make the strawberry syrup ahead of time and freeze that separately, then mix with freshly brewed tea when ready to serve.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and halved
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cups water divided
• 4 black tea bags
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Ice for serving
• Fresh strawberry slices for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Fine mesh strainer
• Large pitcher
• Wooden spoon
• Blender or immersion blender
• Tea kettle or additional saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

1. Simmer the strawberries: Add the strawberries and 1 cup of water to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. The berries should be softened and their juices bright and bubbling. Stir occasionally to keep them from sticking to the pan.
2. Sweeten the mixture: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sugar until it fully dissolves. You want the syrup to be smooth and deeply pink. Let it cool slightly for safer blending.
3. Blend the syrup: Carefully transfer the strawberry mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pan. Blend until smooth. If you like a chunkier texture feel free to pulse instead of puréeing completely.
4. Strain: Pour the blended strawberry syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Press gently with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. This step ensures your final tea is smooth and free of seeds or pulp.
5. Brew the black tea: In a separate kettle or saucepan bring the remaining 5 cups of water almost to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes then discard the tea bags. Oversteeping may introduce bitterness.
6. Combine: Pour the brewed tea into the pitcher with the strawberry syrup. Add the lemon juice and stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
7. Chill: Refrigerate the tea until it is fully chilled, about 2 hours. The flavors deepen the longer it sits which makes this perfect for making ahead.
8. Serve: Fill glasses with plenty of ice. Stir the tea before serving to redistribute the fruit. Garnish with strawberry slices and mint for that perfect southern finish.

Nutrition per serving

Recipe Notes

For extra strawberry flavor, let the syrup cool in the fridge overnight before mixing with tea. It makes a big difference in depth. You can double the batch and keep extra syrup in the fridge for mixing into sparkling water or lemonade.

FAQ

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Strawberry Sweet Tea

Strawberry sweet tea is southern sunshine captured in a glass—a symphony of ripe berries and bold black tea, kissed with just the right touch of sugar. This refreshing beverage combines the earthy notes of black tea with a swirl of fresh strawberries for a luxurious, nostalgic, and thirst-quenching summer drink. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, or lazy porch afternoons!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Beverage

Cuisine Southern

Servings 8 servings

Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and halved
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cups water divided
• 4 black tea bags
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Ice for serving
• Fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

 

• Add the strawberries and 1 cup of water to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the strawberries are soft and releasing their juices.
• Remove from heat and stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then blend until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
• Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the blended mixture into a large pitcher, pressing it gently to extract all the liquid. Discard the remaining pulp.
• In a separate saucepan or tea kettle, bring the remaining 5 cups of water to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes, then discard the tea bags.
• Pour the brewed tea into the pitcher with the strawberry mixture and add the lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
• Refrigerate the tea until fully chilled, about 2 hours.
• Serve over ice with fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves if desired. Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 28gSodium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26g

Keyword sweet tea, strawberry tea, summer drinks, fruit iced tea, southern beverage

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