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A mason jar filled with iced Southern strawberry sweet tea, garnished with fresh strawberries and lemon slices, served with a black straw on a rustic wooden board.

Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe for Summer

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Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea is a refreshing twist on the Southern classic, blending bold black tea with the natural sweetness of strawberries. It’s perfect for warm-weather gatherings, offering a vibrant, fruity flavor with a touch of Southern hospitality.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including chilling)
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 6-8 black tea bags
  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1 cup water (for strawberry syrup)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 4 cups boiling water (for steeping tea)
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
  • Ice, for serving
  • Fresh mint or basil (optional, for garnish)
  • Strawberry slices and lemon wheels (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, 1 cup water, and ¾ cup sugar. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until berries break down. Strain to make syrup and let cool.
  2. Boil 4 cups of water. Add 6–8 tea bags and steep for 5–7 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in additional sugar if desired while tea is warm.
  3. In a large pitcher, combine cooled tea with the strawberry syrup. Add lemon juice if using and stir to combine.
  4. Add 2 cups of cold water and refrigerate until well chilled (about 2 hours).
  5. Serve over ice with fresh strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and optional herbs for garnish.

Notes

  • Use ripe, fresh strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries work well too.
  • Sweeten while the tea is warm to ensure sugar dissolves fully.
  • Try adding a splash of bourbon or vodka for an adult version.
  • For a sparkling version, top with club soda before serving.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Beverages
  • Method: Boiling, Steeping
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 5mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg