This strawberry sweet tea is sweet, fruity, and incredibly refreshing, with real strawberries blended right into a perfectly brewed Southern style tea. I remember the first time I made it on a hot June afternoon when a bowl of ripe strawberries was sitting on my counter just begging to be used. The moment I stirred the bright pink Strawberry Sweet Tea puree into the warm tea, the whole kitchen filled with this gorgeous, sweet berry aroma that made everything feel like summer.
Serve it alongside Blue Hawaii Mocktail for a colorful drink table, or pair it with Passion Fruit Iced Tea for a fruity afternoon spread. If you want something creamy to balance things out, add Korean Banana Milk to the mix.
Why You'll Love This Strawberry Sweet Tea
This homemade iced tea is one of those recipes that's as easy as it is delicious. Here's why it's so good:
- Made with real strawberries: No artificial flavors or syrups. Just fresh, ripe strawberries blended into a smooth, fruity puree.
- Southern-style sweetness: The sugar dissolves right into the hot tea for a perfectly smooth, sweet flavor in every sip.
- Beautiful presentation: The pink color and whole Strawberry Sweet Tea garnishes make it look stunning in a pitcher or glass.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness, add lemon juice for extra tang, or use frozen strawberries to keep it chilled without watering it down.
- Makes a big batch: One recipe makes 6 cups, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
It's the kind of drink that disappears fast at any gathering.
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Strawberry Sweet Tea Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this fresh Strawberry Sweet Tea.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Water: The base for brewing the tea. Use fresh, cold water for the cleanest flavor.
- Family size tea bags (or 6 regular size): Gives the tea a strong, bold flavor that stands up to the sweetness and the Strawberry Sweet Tea puree. Luzianne is a great choice, but Lipton works well too.
- Fresh strawberries, divided use: The star of the drink. Some get blended into a puree for flavor, and a few are set aside whole for garnishing. Choose berries that are bright red, firm, and smell sweet.
- Sugar (adjust to taste): Sweetens the tea while it's still warm so it dissolves completely. This is what gives Southern sweet tea its signature smooth sweetness.
- Strawberry extract (optional): Boosts the Strawberry Sweet Teaflavor if you want it a little more intense. A small amount goes a long way.
- Frozen strawberries (for serving) or ice cubes: Keeps the tea cold without watering it down. Frozen strawberries are the best choice if you want to maintain the flavor as they melt.
how to make Strawberry Sweet Tea
Making this southern sweet tea is simple and so satisfying.
- Simmer the water: Pour 6 cups of water into a medium pot and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once it starts to simmer, turn off the heat. You don't want a rolling boil, just a nice, quiet simmer.
- Steep the tea: Drop the tea bags into the hot water and let them steep for 5 to 7 minutes. This gives you a strong, flavorful tea base. Remove the tea bags carefully and give them a gentle squeeze to get out all the flavor.
- Prepare the strawberries: While the tea is steeping, this is a great time to get your strawberries ready. Set aside 6 whole strawberries for garnishing your glasses later. Remove the stems from the rest and slice them in half.
- Blend the strawberries: Toss the halved strawberries into a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth and liquified. The puree should be a vibrant, bright pink color.
- Sweeten the tea: Pour the hot brewed tea into a large pitcher. Stir in the sugar until it's completely dissolved. The warmth of the tea helps the sugar melt evenly, which is the key to a smooth, perfectly sweetened tea.
- Add the strawberry puree: Pour the blended strawberry puree into the sweetened tea and stir well to combine. If you're using Strawberry Sweet Tea extract, add it now and give it another stir.
- Cool the tea: Drop frozen strawberries (or ice cubes) into the pitcher to start cooling the tea down. Let it sit for a few minutes until it's chilled to your liking.
- Serve and garnish: Pour the strawberry sweet tea into glasses filled with ice or frozen strawberries. Garnish each glass with one of the reserved whole strawberries. Enjoy immediately!
Substitutions & Variations
Add mint: Toss in a few fresh mint leaves while the tea is steeping for a refreshing herbal note.
Add lemon: Squeeze in ½ cup of fresh lemon juice for an extra bright, tangy twist.
Use green tea: Swap black tea for green tea for a lighter, more delicate flavor.
Make it less sweet: Reduce the sugar to 1 cup and taste as you go.
Try a flavored tea: Use Strawberry Sweet Tea-flavored tea bags for an even more intense berry flavor.
EQUIPMENT
Stirring spoon: For dissolving the sugar and mixing everything together.
Medium pot: For heating the water and steeping the tea.
Pitcher: For mixing and serving the tea. A large, clear pitcher shows off the beautiful pink color.
Blender or food processor: For turning the strawberries into a smooth, liquified puree.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Storing: Pour leftover strawberry sweet tea into an airtight pitcher or container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Stir well before serving, as the Strawberry Sweet Tea puree may settle slightly.
Freezing: You can freeze the tea in ice cube trays and use the cubes in future drinks for extra flavor without dilution.
Make-ahead tip: Brew the tea and make the Strawberry Sweet Tea puree ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge and combine when you're ready to serve. This keeps the tea tasting fresh.
Serving Suggestions
This cold Strawberry Sweet Tea is perfect for all kinds of summer occasions. Here are some cozy ideas:
Kids' party: The bright pink color and sweet taste make it a hit with kids of all ages.
Front porch afternoon: Pour yourself a tall glass, sit in a rocking chair, and enjoy the sunshine.
Summer barbecue: Serve it in a big pitcher alongside burgers, corn on the cob, and coleslaw.
Girls' brunch: Offer it as a fun, fruity alternative to mimosas or coffee.
Expert Tips
- Don't over-steep the tea: Steeping for more than 7 minutes can make the tea bitter. Stick to 5 to 7 minutes for the best flavor.
- Dissolve the sugar while the tea is hot: This is the secret to smooth, Southern-style sweet tea. Cold sugar won't dissolve properly and can leave a grainy texture.
- Use frozen strawberries to chill: They keep the tea cold without watering it down as they melt, and they add extra strawberry flavor.
- Choose ripe strawberries: The riper and sweeter the strawberries, the better your puree will taste. Look for berries that smell fragrant and have a deep red color all the way through.
- Double or triple the recipe: This recipe makes 6 cups, but it's easy to scale up for parties or big gatherings.
FAQ
How long can sweet tea sit out?
Sweet tea should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that, bacteria can start to grow, especially if it's been sitting in the sun. For the best taste and safety, keep your strawberry sweet tea in the fridge when you're not actively serving it. If you're serving it outdoors, try to keep the pitcher in the shade and refill glasses as needed.
What does strawberry tea do to the body?
Strawberry tea can be a healthy addition to your drink routine. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, which support your immune system and digestion. Black tea also contains beneficial compounds called polyphenols that may support heart health. However, this sweet tea recipe does contain added sugar, so enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Emma loved that it felt like a treat while still giving her a little nutritional boost from the fresh berries.
Can I drink strawberry tea at night?
It depends on how sensitive you are to caffeine. Black tea contains caffeine, which can make it harder to fall asleep if you drink it too late in the evening. If you enjoy strawberry sweet tea at night, try switching to decaf tea bags or using an herbal tea like rooibos or chamomile as the base. That way you get all the fruity, sweet flavor without the caffeine keeping you up.
How long do you let a tea bag sit in sweet tea?
For the best flavor, let your tea bags steep for 5 to 7 minutes in hot water. Steeping for less than 5 minutes can result in a weak, flavorless tea. Steeping for more than 7 minutes can make it bitter and overly tannic. For this southern sweet tea recipe, 5 to 7 minutes is the sweet spot that gives you a strong, smooth flavor without any bitterness.
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Pairing
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Strawberry Sweet Tea
Ingredients
Method
- Bring 6 cups of water to a simmer in a medium pot. Once the water is simmering, remove it from the heat.
- Add the tea bags to the hot water and let them steep for 5 minutes. After steeping, remove the tea bags.
- While the tea is steeping, prepare the strawberries. Set aside 6 whole strawberries to use as garnish (optional).
- Remove the stems from the remaining strawberries and slice them in half. Place the sliced strawberries into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Once the tea has finished steeping, pour it into a large pitcher. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
- Add the pureed strawberries to the pitcher, along with the strawberry extract if you're using it. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add frozen strawberries to the pitcher to cool the tea down (alternatively, use ice cubes if needed).
- Serve the sweet tea in glasses with a strawberry garnish on top, if desired.
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