Description
Enjoy a refreshing homemade Strawberry Iced Tea that combines black tea with fresh strawberries and a hint of lemon. This sweet and tangy beverage is perfect for warm days, offering a delightful way to quench your thirst.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups of water
- 4 black tea bags (or your favorite tea)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and add the 4 tea bags. Let steep for 5-7 minutes, adjusting steeping time for desired strength.
- Remove tea bags and stir in 1/2 cup of granulated sugar while the tea is still warm to ensure complete dissolution.
- Set the sweetened tea aside to cool to room temperature, or refrigerate to speed up the process.
- Hull 1 cup of fresh strawberries, removing the green tops and white core.
- Slice the strawberries into thin pieces to release their juices.
- In a small bowl, mash half of the sliced strawberries with a fork to create a puree.
- Set aside the mashed strawberries and remaining sliced strawberries for later use.
- Once the tea has cooled, add 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice to the sweetened tea.
- Stir in the mashed strawberries to infuse the tea with flavor and color.
- Add the remaining sliced strawberries to the tea mixture.
- Stir well to ensure even distribution of strawberries and lemon juice.
- Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. For quicker cooling, pour over ice in individual glasses.
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, let the tea sit in the refrigerator longer, even overnight.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes (consider freezing strawberry slices in ice cubes for an extra touch).
- Pour the chilled strawberry iced tea over the ice, filling the glass about three-quarters full.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves for added color and aroma.
- Optionally, add a slice of lemon on the rim or drop whole strawberries into the drink.
- Stir gently before sipping to mix in the strawberries and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the sugar to your taste preference; you can also use honey or a sugar substitute if desired.
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, let the tea sit longer in the refrigerator.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes