There's nothing like a tall glass of strawberry sweet tea to beat the summer heat. I first fell in love with this drink during a scorching family reunion in Alabama, where my aunt served it by the gallon. The way the sweet berry flavor mingles with that classic tea taste? Absolute magic. I've been hooked ever since.

Over the years, I've perfected my version of strawberry sweet tea - just sweet enough without being cloying, with that perfect balance of fruity freshness and tea depth. It's become my go-to for backyard barbecues, porch sittin' sessions, and those days when you just need something cold and delicious. Trust me, once you try homemade strawberry sweet tea, you'll never go back to plain old iced tea again.

Ingredients for Strawberry Sweet Tea

Here's everything you'll need to make the most refreshing strawberry sweet tea:

8 cups water (divided - you'll use half for tea, half for strawberries)
8 black tea bags (my go-to is orange pekoe for that classic Southern tea flavor)
1 teaspoon baking soda (this little trick keeps your tea smooth, not bitter)
4 cups fresh strawberries, chopped (the riper, the better - those sweet red ones make all the difference)
1½ cups granulated sugar (feel free to adjust this to your taste)

How to Make Strawberry Sweet Tea

Making strawberry sweet tea is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps for the most refreshing summer drink you'll ever taste.

Steep the Tea

First things first - let's brew our tea base:

Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan (watch it - it'll bubble up fast!)
Remove from heat and add your tea bags - I like to dunk them a few times to get that rich color going
Stir in that secret weapon - 1 teaspoon baking soda (it cuts the bitterness like magic)
Let steep for exactly 5 minutes - set a timer! Over-steeping makes tea bitter

Prepare the Strawberry Mixture

While your tea cools, let's make that gorgeous strawberry syrup:

Toss your chopped strawberries, sugar, and remaining 4 cups water into a blender
Blend until completely smooth - about 1 minute should do it
Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds (press with a spoon to get all that good juice!)

Combine and Chill

The magic happens now:

Pour your cooled tea and strawberry liquid into a large pitcher
Give it a good stir - watch how it turns that beautiful pink color!
Chill for at least 2 hours (I know it's hard to wait, but trust me - it's worth it)

Tips for the Best Strawberry Sweet Tea

After making gallons of this stuff over the years, I've picked up some tricks to make your strawberry sweet tea absolutely perfect every time:

Taste as you go! Start with 1 cup sugar, then add more until it's just right for you - some like it sweeter than others
Use the ripest strawberries you can find - those deep red, slightly soft ones pack the most flavor
Let it chill overnight if you can - the flavors meld together beautifully (but good luck resisting it that long!)
Store in the fridge no more than 3 days - after that the strawberries start losing their brightness

Strawberry Sweet Tea Variations

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists to keep things interesting:

Minty Fresh: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves when blending the strawberries - so refreshing!
Citrus Kick: Squeeze in some lemon or lime juice for a bright, tangy contrast to the sweetness
Spiced Up: Steep the tea with a cinnamon stick or a few slices of fresh ginger for a warm, aromatic note

Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Sweet Tea

This strawberry sweet tea shines at summer gatherings! Serve it over ice in mason jars with fresh strawberry slices floating on top. It's perfect alongside barbecue, fried chicken, or a simple fruit salad. For extra flair, rim glasses with sugar or add a sprig of mint - so pretty and refreshing!

Storage and Reheating

Keep your strawberry sweet tea in the fridge for up to 3 days - no reheating needed (who'd want hot strawberry tea anyway?). Just give it a good stir before serving again.

Strawberry Sweet Tea FAQs

I get asked about strawberry sweet tea all the time - here are the answers to the most common questions from my fellow tea lovers:

Can I use honey instead of sugar?
Absolutely! Swap in honey or agave syrup if you prefer. Start with ¾ cup since they're sweeter than sugar - you can always add more to taste. The flavor will be slightly different but just as delicious.

What if I don't have black tea?
No problem! Green tea works beautifully too - just reduce steeping time to 3 minutes to avoid bitterness. Herbal teas like hibiscus make a lovely caffeine-free version with extra tartness.

How long does it really keep?
Honestly, it's best within 3 days - after that the strawberry flavor fades. If you want to prep ahead, make the tea base and strawberry syrup separately, then mix them the day you plan to serve.

Nutritional Information

Here's the scoop on what's in your strawberry sweet tea - remember, these are estimates and can vary based on your exact ingredients:

Calories: 120 per cup
Sugar: 30g
Carbs: 32g
Fiber: 1g

Not bad for something that tastes this good, right? Enjoy!

Enjoy Your Strawberry Sweet Tea

I hope you love this strawberry sweet tea as much as I do! If you make it, I'd be thrilled if you'd share your thoughts or photos - nothing makes me happier than seeing folks enjoy my recipes. You can find more inspiration on my Pinterest or Facebook pages!

Slice Summer Heat With 5-Ingredient Strawberry Sweet Tea

Author: Emily Parker
Total Time: 25 mins
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and sweet strawberry-infused tea perfect for warm days.

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups water, divided
8 black tea bags
1 tsp baking soda
4 cups strawberries, chopped
1½ cups granulated sugar

Instructions

Boil 4 cups of water in a pot.
Add tea bags and baking soda. Steep for 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags and let the tea cool.
Blend strawberries with sugar and remaining 4 cups of water.
Strain the strawberry mixture to remove seeds.
Combine tea and strawberry mixture in a pitcher.
Chill before serving.

Notes

Adjust sugar to taste.
Use ripe strawberries for best flavor.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 120
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: strawberry sweet tea, iced tea, summer drink