Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea (Print-Friendly Version)
A fruity, refreshing Southern sweet tea infused with fresh strawberries and a hint of mint for a delightful sip.
# Ingredients Required:
→ Strawberry Syrup
01 -
300 g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 -
200 g granulated sugar
03 -
240 ml water
→ Tea Base
04 -
8 black tea bags or 9 g loose leaf black tea
05 -
960 ml boiling water
06 -
150 g granulated sugar
07 -
1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) baking soda (optional)
08 -
960 ml cold water
→ Serve
09 -
Ice cubes
10 -
Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
11 -
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional)
# Detailed Directions:
01 -
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, 200 g sugar, and 240 ml water. Simmer until strawberries are soft and mixture thickens to a syrup, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
02 -
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, discarding solids. Allow syrup to cool completely.
03 -
Steep the tea bags or loose tea in 960 ml boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes depending on preferred strength.
04 -
To the hot tea, add 150 g granulated sugar and 1.25 ml baking soda if using. Stir until sugar dissolves.
05 -
Remove tea bags and let tea cool slightly. Stir in the cooled strawberry syrup thoroughly.
06 -
Add 960 ml cold water to the sweetened tea mixture and stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
07 -
Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh strawberry slices and mint sprigs as desired.
# Helpful Advice:
01 -
Adjust sugar quantities to taste and consider refrigerating the syrup overnight for intensified strawberry flavor.
02 -
Use high-quality black tea to enhance depth of flavor.
03 -
Garnishes like fresh strawberries and mint elevate presentation.