Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea
Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea is a refreshing summer beverage that blends freshly brewed strong black tea with ripe, juicy strawberries and customizable sweetness. This vibrant, thirst-quenching drink captures the essence of Southern hospitality with its natural sweetness, bright red hue, and easy preparation, perfect for hot days, gatherings, and backyard barbecues.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Brewing
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 4 black tea bags
- 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 cups cold water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Ice cubes, as needed for serving
Instructions
- Brew Your Black Tea: Start by boiling 6 cups of fresh cold water and steep your 4 black tea bags for about 5 to 7 minutes to extract a strong, full flavor. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Strawberry Puree: While the tea is brewing, wash and hull 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Blend them into a smooth puree or mash by hand if a chunkier texture is preferred.
- Sweeten Your Tea: While the brewed tea is still warm, add 3/4 to 1 cup of granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved for even sweetness.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the strawberry puree into the warm sweetened tea. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice if desired to brighten the flavor, and stir well to combine all flavors.
- Chill and Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea over the ice. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or mint sprigs if desired and serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for maximum sweetness and vibrant color.
- Steep tea adequately to develop a rich flavor but avoid bitterness by not over-steeping.
- Dissolve sugar in warm tea for a smooth and even sweetness.
- Chill tea before mixing with strawberries to preserve flavor brightness.
- Serve immediately to maintain freshness and vibrant strawberry flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 8 oz)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea, iced tea, summer drink, strawberry tea, sweet tea, refreshing beverage, Southern hospitality
Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/southern-strawberry-sweet-iced-tea/