If you love a bright, fruity spin on a classic summer drink, you’re going to fall head-over-heels for Strawberry Iced Tea! With lush, sweet strawberries, a pop of citrus, and smooth, fragrant black tea, every glass is pure refreshment—perfect for backyard lounging or picnics with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Summer Flavors: Fresh strawberries and bright citrus make this Strawberry Iced Tea taste like pure sunshine in a glass.
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have a whole pitcher ready in just 10 minutes—no fuss, no fancy tools required.
- Easily Customizable: Sweeten it your way with sugar or zero-calorie options, or add a twist of your favorite fruit.
- Naturally Beautiful: The vibrant pink hue and slices of floating berries make every glass a dazzling centerpiece.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this Strawberry Iced Tea is how each simple ingredient brings the magic—plus, you likely have most of them on hand! Each has a special role: juicy berries give natural sweetness and gorgeous pink color, tea adds gentle body, citrus brings zing, and your sweetener ties it all together. Let’s break it down:
- Black Tea or Earl Grey Teabags (4): These form the refreshing backbone; feel free to choose your favorite black tea for boldness or aromatics.
- Strawberries (2 1/2 cups, sliced): Fresh berries bring that sweet, just-picked flavor and a blush of color—fresh is best, but thawed frozen works too!
- Boiling Water (2 cups): This extracts the perfect brew from your tea bags in mere minutes.
- Cold Water (2 cups): Instantly cools down the tea for quick assembly and a crisp sip.
- Ice (2 cups): For serving, the ice keeps every glass frosty, refreshing, and vibrant.
- Lime or Lemon (juice of 1): A quick squeeze adds brightness and balances all the sweet notes.
- SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener or Sugar: Swap in your favorite sweetener to taste—liquid or granulated, it’s all up to you!
Variations
The beauty of homemade Strawberry Iced Tea? You can make it truly your own! It’s incredibly easy to swap, add, or skip ingredients depending on dietary needs, fruit bowl availability, or a simple craving for something different.
- Mixed Berry Iced Tea: Toss in a handful of raspberries or blueberries with the strawberries for a fun berry medley twist.
- Herbal Twist: Add a handful of torn mint leaves or a sprig of basil to the pitcher for an herbal aroma and an extra-refreshing kick.
- Green Tea Version: Substitute green tea bags for black tea if you love a lighter or gentler flavor profile.
- Sparkling Strawberry Iced Tea: Replace the cold water with chilled sparkling water for fizzy, festive flair.
How to Make Strawberry Iced Tea
Step 1: Brew the Tea
Start by steeping your four teabags in two cups of boiling water. Let the bags sit for about five minutes, or longer if you like a stronger brew. This extracts all the depth and lovely aroma, giving your iced tea a solid, flavorful base.
Step 2: Mash Strawberries & Citrus
In a large pitcher, add the sliced strawberries and squeeze in all the juice from your lime or lemon. Drop in the sweetener (start with a few squirts of SPLENDA ZERO™ or a couple spoonfuls of sugar). Then, gently mash the berries with a masher or large spoon—this will release their juicy flavor, infusing your tea with rosy color and sweetness.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Remove the tea bags and pour the steeped tea over the mashed strawberry mixture in your pitcher. Add the two cups of cold water and give everything a thorough stir. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed, then add plenty of ice until the tea is beautifully chilled and ready to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Iced Tea
- Tea Strength Matters: For the most vibrant flavor, don’t over-steep black tea—five to six minutes is just right to avoid bitterness.
- Berry Prep Magic: Slice strawberries thinly for maximum juice extraction—let them sit for a couple minutes after mashing to develop even more flavor.
- Sweetener Flexibility: Always sweeten after mixing; cold drinks dull sweetness, so taste as you go to hit the perfect balance.
- Chill Before Serving: If time allows, refrigerate the Strawberry Iced Tea for at least 30 minutes before serving—it helps meld the flavors and keeps it extra cool.
How to Serve Strawberry Iced Tea
Garnishes
For a truly festive touch, top each glass of Strawberry Iced Tea with a wedge of lemon or lime, a sprig of fresh mint, and a couple of sliced strawberries right in the glass. Not only does it look gorgeous, but those fresh flavors give an extra aroma with every sip!
Side Dishes
This thirst-quenching tea pairs beautifully with summer salads, picnic sandwiches, or light snacks like cheese boards and crostini. For a sweet treat, try serving it alongside shortbread cookies or fresh fruit skewers—an instant warm-weather favorite!
Creative Ways to Present
Pour your Strawberry Iced Tea into a large glass pitcher scattered with floating citrus wheels and strawberry slices for a vibrant table centerpiece. For parties, serve in mason jars with paper straws, or freeze small strawberry pieces into your ice cubes for a fun, flavor-bursting surprise as they melt!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Strawberry Iced Tea will keep fresh and flavorful in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just store it in a covered pitcher or jar to prevent it from picking up other fridge aromas. Give it a quick stir before pouring as the flavors may settle a bit.
Freezing
If you’d like to keep some on hand for spontaneous summer cravings, freeze the tea (without the ice) in freezer-safe jars or ice cube trays. Blend the cubes for a slushy treat or let them thaw overnight in the fridge for a ready-to-go refresher!
Reheating
Strawberry Iced Tea is all about cool refreshment, so reheating isn’t really necessary. But if you want to serve it warm as a cozy twist, gently warm the tea base (before adding ice) on the stovetop and add lemon or strawberry slices as a garnish.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Iced Tea?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work beautifully—just thaw them slightly before mashing, and you’ll still get plenty of flavor and rosy hue in your tea.
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How can I make this Strawberry Iced Tea sugar-free?
Use a sugar substitute like SPLENDA ZERO™ or your preferred liquid or granulated sweetener. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust until perfectly sweet for you.
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Can I make a large batch for a party?
Yes—easily double or triple the ingredients and assemble in a big drink dispenser. Just be sure to add ice and garnishes right before serving to keep things fresh and festive.
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What kind of tea works best for Strawberry Iced Tea?
Black tea or Earl Grey are classic, offering just the right strength and flavor. If you prefer a milder sip, green tea is a gentle alternative—and both mix wonderfully with the strawberry infusion.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a sippable slice of summer, Strawberry Iced Tea is guaranteed to make any day feel special. Whip up a batch, kick back on the patio, and get ready to surprise family and friends with a pitcher of pure happiness. Cheers!
Print
Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Brewing, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a refreshing twist on classic iced tea with this Strawberry Iced Tea recipe. Sweetened with fresh strawberries and a hint of citrus, it’s the perfect beverage for a hot summer day.
Ingredients
Tea:
- 4 teabags Earl Gray or Black tea
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 2 cups of cold water
Strawberry Mixture:
- 2 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
- Juice of 1 lime or lemon
- SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener or regular granulated sugar to taste
Serving:
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
- Steep Tea: Steep 4 teabags in 2 cups of boiling water.
- Prepare Strawberry Mixture: Add sliced strawberries, lime or lemon juice, sweetener, and mash the strawberries to release juice.
- Combine: Pour the tea and strawberry mixture into a pitcher, then add 2 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Serve: Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve over ice and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: Approximately 50
- Sugar: Varies based on sweetener used
- Sodium: Low
- Fat: Negligible
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 12g
- Fiber: 1-2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
