Description
This Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea combines the classic refreshing taste of sweet iced tea with the natural sweetness and vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries. Perfect for hot days, this iced tea is brewed to perfection, sweetened generously, and infused with fresh strawberry juice for a delightful summertime beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 4-5 family-size tea bags (such as Luzianne)
- 6 cups water, divided
Strawberry Mixture
- 4 cups ripe strawberries (makes about 1 cup of juice)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Garnish (Optional)
- Frozen or fresh strawberries
- Fresh mint
Instructions
- Brew the Tea: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Allow them to steep for 10 minutes, then discard the tea bags to make a strong, concentrated tea base.
- Prepare the Strawberries: While the tea is steeping, dice the fresh ripe strawberries. Place these diced strawberries into a food processor and puree until smooth to release their natural juice and flavor.
- Strain the Strawberry Puree: Pour the pureed strawberries through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. This process separates the strawberry juice from the pulp. Reserve the juice and discard the leftover pulp to ensure a smooth tea.
- Combine Tea, Strawberry Juice, and Sugar: In a large pitcher, combine the brewed tea, reserved strawberry juice, and granulated sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a sweet and fruity tea blend.
- Add Cold Water and Chill: Pour in the remaining 4 cups of cold water to dilute the concentration and stir to combine. Refrigerate the mixture until it is thoroughly chilled and ready to serve cold.
- Serve: Pour the chilled strawberry sweet tea over glasses filled with ice. Garnish each glass with frozen or fresh strawberries and fresh mint if desired for an elegant presentation. Enjoy immediately for the best refreshing experience.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sugar to your preferred level of sweetness.
- For stronger tea flavor, steep the tea bags longer but be careful not to over-steep to avoid bitterness.
- If fresh strawberries are not available, frozen strawberries can be used, just thaw before pureeing.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to achieve a smooth texture without pulp in the final tea.
- This tea is best served chilled and consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
