Southern Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe

Nothing says summer like a delicious glass of fresh strawberry sweet tea! This easy strawberry sweet iced tea is the perfect way to enjoy strawberry season and the perfect drink to sip all summer long!

This southern strawberry sweet tea recipe is easy to make so we love to make it all summer long. I’ve always loved iced tea but adding the fresh strawberry flavor takes it to another level! This is a great refreshing drink to serve at cookouts and parties, everyone loves it! Southern sweet tea meets strawberries to create this southern strawberry iced tea that is the perfect party drink for warm summer days!

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FAQ & Tips for this Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe

Can I use different type of tea?

Yes! This tea is made with a basic black tea like Luzianne tea or Lipton, but it can be made with other types of tea. If you prefer decaf you can use decaffeinated tea bags. You can also use green tea bags to make delicious strawberry green tea. You can also use a fruity herbal tea for another flavor combination. You can use your favorite brand of tea bags or loose tea.

Make Strawberry Lemonade Iced Tea-

If you love an Arnold Palmer you can create that flavor with the addition of strawberries by adding just a little lemon juice to your tea. I recommend after you brew the tea and remove the tea bags add a little fresh lemon juice a tablespoon at a time until you get the right amount of sweetness to tartness you desire.

Can I use store bought strawberry syrup?

Absolutely! If you don’t have time to make a simple syrup you can make strawberry iced tea with store bought syrup. For the best fresh sweet strawberry flavor be sure to pick a syrup that is made with real strawberries and not with artificial flavors and colors.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes! If you are making this homemade iced tea in the off season then you can use frozen berries in place of fresh. I like to buy extra when strawberries are in season and freeze them to use in strawberry recipes all year long.

How to keep the tea from getting bitter-

Sometimes home-brewed sweet tea can be a little bit bitter. To prevent that you want to make sure you don’t over-steep the tea. If you want your tea to have a stronger taste you can add more tea bags to create a strong tea rather than letting them steep too long. You can also add a small pinch of baking soda to your tea (don’t over do it!) to reduce bitterness and make sure your tea stays nice and clear.

How to serve southern strawberry sweet tea –

This refreshing strawberry tea is the perfect summer drink served over ice. You can also freeze strawberries, blueberries or raspberries to use as ice to keep you tea cold and add flavor. We also love to serve our tea with a slice of lemon or a pinch of fresh mint.

Ingredients for Strawberry Iced Tea

Water– For this recipe you’ll be using water to create the simple syrup, to steep the tea and for ice. Make sure you have ice made in advance, and place 3 cups of water in the fridge to cool before you get started.

Strawberries– For this strawberry tea you’ll be making strawberry simple syrup and you can use sliced strawberries to garnish your finished tea. Fresh summer berries are delicious in this homemade strawberry tea, but if you are making it during a time when strawberries aren’t in season you can use frozen.

White Sugar– This tea is sweetened with granulated sugar. You can use white sugar or cane sugar which ever you prefer. Because the simple strawberry syrup is already sweet you may not want to add additional sugar to the tea. Use as much sugar as you’d like to make this recipe as sweet as you’d like.

Black Tea Bags– You can use your favorite brand of tea bags. I usually use regular size tea bags but occasionally I pick up the family size Lipton tea bags.

How to Make Strawberry Sweet Tea

To make the strawberry simple syrup-

Place 2 cups of strawberries, 1 cup of water and 1 cup o sugar in a medium/ large saucepan and heat over med/high.

Stir frequently as the mixture heats up.

Continue heating until the mixture comes to a boil.

Turn the heat to med/low to bring the mixture to a low boil.

Keep it on a low boil for about 10 minutes stirring frequently.

The strawberries will begin to break apart and dissolve.

When you’re boiling time is up take it off the heat and let it cool a little. Put it through a fine mesh strainer to get out the seeds and any chunks.

Let cool completely. Store refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.

To make sweet tea –

Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a medium size saucepan.

Once the water is boiling turn it down to a simmer, add in the sugar and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Turn off the heat.

Remove the tea bags from their wrappers and place all 5 tea bags in the boiling water.

Steep the tea for 5-7 minutes.

Carefully, squeeze the water out of the tea bags and discard them.

Add in the strawberry syrup to the bowl and stir well.

Pour 2 cups of cold water into a pitcher and then add the steeped tea mixture.

Add in one cup of ice to both the pitcher and stir.

Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

To serve- add ice to your glasses and pour the tea over. Garnish with strawberry slices if desire.

Keep any leftover iced tea in the fridge.

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