Description
Southern Strawberry Iced Tea is a refreshing and vibrant summer beverage combining classic Southern black tea with fresh strawberry puree, naturally sweetened, and brightened with lemon juice. This easy-to-make iced tea is perfect for cooling down on sunny days and serves beautifully at picnics, barbecues, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4–6 black tea bags
- 4 cups fresh filtered water
- 1 cup fresh ripe strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Ice cubes, as needed
Instructions
- Brew the Tea: Begin by boiling fresh, filtered water. Once boiling, steep 4-6 black tea bags in about 4 cups of water for 5-7 minutes to extract rich flavor without bitterness.
- Prepare the Strawberry Puree: While the tea is steeping, hull and roughly chop 1 cup of fresh strawberries. Blend them into a smooth puree using a blender or food processor for a natural strawberry burst.
- Sweeten and Mix: Remove the tea bags and stir in your preferred sweetener (1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar or honey), then add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for a zesty kick. Next, mix in the strawberry puree until fully incorporated.
- Chill and Serve: Pour the mixture into a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the drink to chill perfectly. Serve over plenty of ice for the ultimate refreshment.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Do not steep tea for more than 7 minutes to avoid bitterness.
- Adjust sweetness gradually, starting with less and adding more to taste.
- Chill the tea thoroughly for full flavor development and a satisfying cool drink.
- Use clear, filtered water for the purest and crispiest tea taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Southern iced tea, strawberry iced tea, summer drinks, refreshing beverages, fruity iced tea, black tea, natural sweetener