Name: Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 8 black tea bags; 4 cups water; 1 tsp baking soda; 2 cups water; 4 cups strawberries chopped; 1½ cups granulated sugar

There’s something about the perfect sip of summer in a glass that makes this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe a total winner. The way those juicy berries blend with rich black tea and just the right amount of sweetness is simply irresistible—making it a refreshing treat you’ll want to pour again and again.

Two tall clear glasses filled with dark red liquid have crushed ice piled on top, creating a light pink layer above. Each glass is garnished with a fresh red strawberry sliced and placed on the rim, with a blue and white striped paper straw inserted in one of the glasses. The glasses sit on round woven coasters placed on a colorful floral cloth with bright red, yellow, blue, pink, and green patterns. Around the glasses, fresh red strawberries with green tops lay scattered. In the background, a white container filled with more strawberries and a large yellow flower can be seen. The surface is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe has been a staple in my kitchen through countless sunny afternoons. It’s not just tasty—it’s an experience that reminds me of lazy summer days and good company, and I’m excited for you to enjoy that same vibe.

Bright, fresh flavors: The fresh strawberries simmer down into an unbelievably delicious syrup that complements the black tea perfectly.
Balanced sweetness: It’s sweet but not cloying, and you can easily adjust it to suit your taste—perfect when sharing with friends or family.
Simple technique: This isn’t a complicated brew, which means you can whip it up quickly without fuss.
Versatility: Whether it’s a picnic, BBQ, or just a quiet afternoon on the porch, it fits right in.

A clear tall glass filled with bright red strawberry drink layered with many small ice cubes on top, a half red strawberry piece garnishes the rim, and a white straw with blue stripes is placed inside. The drink is held by a woman's hand showing light skin, with a slightly blurred white marbled surface and strawberries in soft focus background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe plays its part in making your glass shine. Picking the right ones can really elevate the final drink—here’s why I choose what I do.

Flat lay of fresh ripe strawberries, loose black tea leaves spilling gently, a small heap of granulated sugar crystals sparkling, a delicate mound of baking soda powder, and clear water droplets arranged in small puddles to suggest freshness, all beautifully spread out with vibrant red, deep brown, and white tones contrasting on a pristine white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Black tea bags: I always prefer black tea for its boldness—it forms a great base that stands up to the sweetness and strawberry flavor.
Fresh strawberries: The star of the show. Look for ripe, juicy berries—they make a difference in how vibrant and flavorful your tea will be.
Granulated sugar: This sweetens the tea while enhancing the natural fruitiness of the strawberries. You can cut back if you want it less sweet.
Baking soda: A small pinch softens the water, which helps bring out the best taste in the tea and prevents bitterness.
Water: Fresh, cold water is a must to avoid cloudiness and off-flavors, making sure the tea tastes clean and bright.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to my mood or seasons—I bet you’ll enjoy personalizing it, too!

Less sweetness: I sometimes cut the sugar in half when I want something a bit lighter and more fruit-forward—it lets the strawberries really pop.
Lemon twist: Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice gives this tea a zesty lift—perfect when you want it a little less sweet and more refreshing.
Herbal variations: Try adding a few mint leaves during the simmering step for a cool, fresh hint that I adore on hot days.
Alcoholic version: For summer barbecues, mix this sweet tea with a splash of vodka or rum—it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Step 1: Brew the perfect black tea base

Start by bringing 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Take it off the heat, toss in your black tea bags, and let them steep for exactly 5 minutes—no more or you risk bitterness. I like to gently squeeze the bags with tongs as I remove them to capture every bit of flavor without the tannin overload.

Step 2: Prep the tea mixture

Pour your strong tea concentrate into a large pitcher. Add 4 more cups of cold water, plus a teaspoon of baking soda. This tiny addition balances the water’s pH, softens the taste, and helps keep the tea smooth and mellow.

Step 3: Simmer strawberries into syrup

In the same saucepan, add the last 2 cups of water, chopped fresh strawberries, and granulated sugar. Bring it all to a low simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it bubble gently for about 20 minutes. This slow simmer draws out the strawberry sweetness perfectly while breaking down the berries into a beautiful syrup.

Step 4: Strain and combine

Once cooled a bit, strain the strawberry syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a small pitcher or bowl, pressing the berries to squeeze out every drop of juice and flavor. Pour that syrup into your tea pitcher and stir it all together. Now, you're ready to pour over ice and serve!

Top Tip

Making this strawberry sweet tea has been one of my favorite summertime rituals, and a little practice helped me avoid common pitfalls that might dilute or dull the flavors. Here are my best tips to help you nail it every time.

Use cold water for initial brewing: Starting tea with cold water and bringing it to a boil avoids extracting too many tannins early, keeping your tea clearer and less bitter.
Don’t over-steep the tea: I learned this the hard way—steeping too long makes the tea bitter. Stick to exactly 5 minutes and you’ll get that smooth, rich flavor.
Simmer strawberries gently: Keeping the heat low while simmering preserves the delicate strawberry flavor without turning it jammy.
Ice in the glass, not the pitcher: This little trick prevents watering down your perfect brew before serving. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

strawberry sweet tea - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often drop a couple of fresh strawberry slices right into each glass along with a sprig of mint—that splash of color makes the tea look as good as it tastes. Sometimes I add a thin lemon wheel too, just for that extra zing and brightness.

Side Dishes

This tea pairs beautifully with lighter summer fare like grilled chicken salads, fresh fruit platters, or even your favorite picnic sandwiches. Its sweet and refreshing profile cuts through savory dishes to keep your palate happy and cool.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this strawberry sweet tea in mason jars or glass bottles with fun paper straws. A layered ice cube with a tiny strawberry inside also wows guests and keeps each sip cold and flavorful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After making this tea, I keep it covered in my fridge in a glass pitcher or airtight container. It stays fresh and delicious for up to a week, which means you can enjoy it over several days without losing any flavor.

Freezing

While I don’t usually freeze the tea, I have frozen the strawberry syrup portion in ice cube trays for future batches or to add a pop of flavor to plain iced tea on a whim.

Reheating

This is best served cold, so reheating isn’t something I recommend. But if you do want a warm strawberry tea, gently warm a small portion on the stove—avoid boiling to keep the flavors fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work well, especially if fresh ones aren’t in season. Just thaw them before simmering and proceed as usual for a flavorful syrup.

How can I make this tea less sweet?

You can reduce the sugar by half or even more according to your preference. I recommend tasting as you go—sometimes adding a little lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and brightens the flavor.

What’s the purpose of baking soda in the tea?

The baking soda softens the water’s mineral content, cutting down bitterness and cloudiness in the brewed tea. It helps give you a smoother, cleaner cup every time.

Can I store the strawberry syrup separately?

Yes! You can keep the syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. This makes it handy to mix fresh strawberry sweet tea on demand without simmering strawberries each time.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe has this magical way of turning an ordinary day into something special—something relaxed, joyful, and full of flavor. I recommend giving it a try, whether you’re entertaining friends or just treating yourself. Pour it over ice, savor each sip, and enjoy a little taste of summer anytime you want.