Description
Refreshing and sweet homemade strawberry sweet tea combining steeped black tea and a strawberry syrup, perfect for a summer beverage to enjoy chilled over ice.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 2 cups water
- 8 black tea bags
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp baking soda
Strawberry Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups strawberries chopped
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Boil Water for Tea: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Steep Tea: Once boiling, remove from heat and add the 8 black tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags squeezing out excess tea with tongs.
- Mix Tea with Water and Baking Soda: Transfer the tea into a large pitcher and add 4 additional cups of water and 1 teaspoon baking soda, stirring gently.
- Prepare Strawberry Syrup: Using the same saucepan, add the remaining 2 cups of water, chopped strawberries, and granulated sugar. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Cool and Strain Syrup: Remove the strawberry syrup from heat and allow it to cool slightly. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a small cup or pitcher, pressing out juice from the berries.
- Combine and Serve: Add the strawberry syrup to the large pitcher with the steeped tea. Stir well to combine. Pour into glasses over ice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Store your strawberry sweet tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar by half for a fruitier flavor.
- Adding a splash of lemon juice can add refreshing zest.
- Use very ripe strawberries for the most intense flavor, especially when in season during summer.
- Start with cold water to avoid releasing tannins that can make tea cloudy.
- Do not over-steep tea as it can become bitter; 5 minutes is ideal.
- Add ice to individual glasses instead of the pitcher to prevent watering down the tea.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
