This Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe is a burst of sunshine in a glass—the kind of refreshing sip you crave on sunny afternoons. It takes the earthy richness of Earl Grey or black tea and swirls it together with perfectly ripe strawberries and a zing of citrus, creating a naturally sweet, vibrant iced tea you’ll want to make all season long. It’s the ultimate thirst-quencher for picnics, brunches, or any simple summer gathering!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Absolutely Refreshing: Each glass bursts with juicy strawberries and vibrant tea, making every sip feel cool and revitalizing.
- Naturally Sweetened: Customizable with SPLENDA ZERO™ or regular sugar, you control the sweetness, so everyone at your table can sip happily.
- Quick and Easy: No special equipment or fancy techniques—just simple ingredients and under 10 minutes, from steep to sip!
- Crowd-Pleasing & Versatile: This Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe is guaranteed to brighten picnics, brunches, or quiet afternoons with a special homemade touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This beautiful Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe is built from just a few pantry staples and fresh produce. Each ingredient is essential—working together to deliver color, aroma, and the most refreshing balance of flavors. Let’s peek at what you’ll need and why it matters.
- Black tea or Earl Grey teabags: These provide the classic, bold tea flavor and subtle floral or citrus notes that create an amazing foundation.
- Fresh strawberries: Sweet, juicy, and bursting with flavor, they not only bring a vibrant pink hue but naturally brighten every sip.
- Lime or lemon juice: Just a squeeze adds zip and balances the sweetness, making the tea feel crisp and lively.
- SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener or granulated sugar: Use to taste for just-right sweetness—SPLENDA keeps it light, or choose sugar for classic comfort.
- Boiling water: Ensures your tea steeps deeply, unlocking rich flavors from the teabags.
- Cold water: Cools everything down post-steeping and helps dilute, so this recipe is never overpowering.
- Ice: Essential for serving, adding that irresistible frosty, refreshing chill.
Variations
The real magic of this Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe is how flexible it is! Swap, add, or tweak ingredients to make it your own—whether you’re aiming for extra tang, lower sugar, or fun fruity twists. Here are a few favorite ideas to get you started.
- Herbal Upgrade: Swap the black tea for caffeine-free herbal blends like hibiscus or chamomile for a gentle, berry-forward iced tea perfect for any age.
- Sparkling Strawberry Iced Tea: Replace part (or all) of the cold water with sparkling water or club soda for refreshing, fizzy bubbles.
- Mixed Berry Twist: Add raspberries or blueberries to the strawberries for deeper berry flavors and an even brighter color.
- Sugar-Free & Keto: Use only SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener or your favorite sugar alternative to keep things sweet but low-carb.
How to Make Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Tea
Begin by boiling 2 cups of water and pouring it over your Earl Grey or black tea bags. Let them steep for 4–5 minutes—the longer they sit, the richer and more robust your tea base will be. This is your flavor foundation, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Mash the Strawberries & Citrus
While the tea steeps, add your sliced strawberries and the juice of one lime or lemon to a sturdy bowl or pitcher. Use a potato masher (or the back of a spoon) to press down, gently crushing the berries and combining those gorgeous sweet juices with the citrus zest. This step releases their vivid color and aroma, setting the stage for a fruity infusion.
Step 3: Sweeten to Taste
Add around four squirts of SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener (or your desired amount of granulated sugar) to the strawberry and citrus mixture. Mash and stir together, letting the sweetness dissolve—remember, you can always add a little more later.
Step 4: Combine, Chill & Serve
Pour your steeped tea (discarding the tea bags) into the pitcher with your strawberries. Add in 2 cups of cold water and several handfuls of ice, then stir everything together so it’s nicely chilled and perfectly blended. Taste and tweak your sweetness if needed, then pour into glasses and serve immediately—or chill a bit longer for an ultra-cold treat!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
- Freshest Berries Make Magic: Use the ripest, sweetest strawberries you can find—local or in-season berries deliver the best color and natural flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Mash: Really mash those berries! The better you break them down, the more juicy, fragrant, and flavorful your tea will be.
- Customize Sweetness & Strength: Taste as you go and adjust the sweetener and steeping time; for a bolder flavor, let your tea bags steep a few extra minutes.
- Strain for a Smoother Sip: For a perfectly silky iced tea, run the finished brew through a fine mesh strainer before chilling, especially if you want less pulp.
How to Serve Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
Garnishes
A beautiful Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe deserves gorgeous garnishes! Float a few fresh strawberry slices in each glass, tuck a wedge of lemon or lime on the rim, and toss in a sprig of mint for irresistible aroma. Don’t forget extra ice for that frosty, photogenic finish!
Side Dishes
This iced tea pairs perfectly with crisp salads, light sandwiches, or fruit platters. Try it alongside flaky pastries at brunch or serve with a simple cheese board for effortless entertaining on warm afternoons.
Creative Ways to Present
Make it festive by serving this Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe in mason jars or clear pitchers to show off its lush pink color. Add fun paper straws or even edible flowers for a garden party vibe. For a crowd, pre-batch in a drink dispenser so guests can help themselves!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed pitcher. Give it a good stir before serving—adding fresh ice and a garnish will perk up the color and flavor every time.
Freezing
Want to keep your iced tea on hand even longer? Freeze it in ice cube trays and pop the cubes into future pitchers for an instant chill and flavor boost, or blend them for a frozen strawberry iced tea slushie!
Reheating
The joy of the Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe is its icy chill—so there’s really no need to reheat! If you prefer, gently bring refrigerated tea to room temperature before serving, or simply pour over fresh ice to refresh.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work perfectly—just thaw them before mashing for the juiciest results. They’ll infuse your tea with both sweetness and a vibrant color.
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Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare your Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Wait to add ice and mint until just before serving for the freshest flavor and visual appeal.
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Can I use green tea instead of black tea?
Definitely. Green tea creates a lighter, more delicate base and still blends beautifully with strawberries and citrus. Just be sure to steep green tea a bit less (2–3 minutes) to avoid bitterness.
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How do I make the tea less sweet or more tart?
For a less sweet tea, simply reduce the sweetener or SPLENDA and add a splash of extra citrus juice. Taste as you go so you get the perfect sweet-tart balance for your own palate.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you whip up a pitcher of this Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe and experience just how joyful, colorful, and utterly sippable it is. Whether you’re making it for a big summer bash or just treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, every glass shares a little taste of sunshine and homemade charm. Cheers to strawberry season and sweet moments ahead!
Print
Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Steeping, Mixing
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quench your thirst with this refreshing Strawberry Iced Tea recipe. It’s the perfect blend of fruity sweetness and tea flavors, making it a delightful beverage for any time of the day.
Ingredients
For the Tea:
- 4 teabags Earl Gray or Black tea
- 2 cups of boiling water
For the Strawberry Mix:
- 2 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 lime or lemon
- SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener or regular granulated sugar to taste
For Serving:
- 2 cups of cold water
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Place 4 teabags in 2 cups of boiling water and let steep for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Strawberry Mix: In a separate bowl, combine sliced strawberries, lime or lemon juice, and sweetener. Mash the strawberries to release juice.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the steeped tea into a pitcher, add the strawberry mix, 2 cups of cold water, and ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Taste the tea and adjust sweetness if needed. Pour into glasses over ice and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sweetener according to your preference.
- Feel free to garnish each glass with a strawberry or a slice of lime for an extra decorative touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
