Refreshing Southern Style Strawberry Sweet Tea
This Refreshing Southern Style Strawberry Sweet Tea combines bold black tea with juicy strawberry syrup for a nostalgic and fruity twist on a classic Southern beverage. It’s ideal for summer sipping and easy to make ahead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Boiling and steeping
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags (Luzianne or Lipton recommended)
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups boiling water
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
- Lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan, then remove from heat. Add tea bags and baking soda (if using), and steep for 8–10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until strawberries break down and syrup thickens slightly.
- Strain the strawberry syrup through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract all juice. Discard pulp.
- Remove tea bags from the steeped tea and pour the tea into a large pitcher.
- Add the strawberry syrup and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
- Stir before serving. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh strawberry slices, lemon wedges, or mint if desired.
Notes
- Add a splash of lemon juice for tanginess.
- Use stevia or monk fruit for a sugar-free version.
- Make it sparkling with a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda.
- Herbaceous twist: infuse with basil or rosemary.
- For a cocktail, add a splash of vodka, bourbon, or rum to each glass.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
