Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

This Strawberry Sweet Tea is a refreshing and fruity twist on the classic Southern sweet tea. With the natural sweetness of strawberries and a perfect balance of tea and sugar, it's a delicious drink for warm days, barbecues, or any special occasion!

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Ingredients

For the Tea:

• 4-5 black tea bags (or your preferred tea, such as green tea)
• 4 cups water (for brewing the tea)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
• 4 cups cold water (for diluting the tea)

For the Strawberry Syrup:

• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)

For Garnish (Optional):

• Sliced strawberries
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh mint leaves

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Instructions

Step 1: Brew the Tea

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, remove from heat and add the tea bags. Let them steep for about 5-7 minutes, or longer if you prefer stronger tea.
2. Remove the tea bags and stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar, depending on your desired level of sweetness. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the 4 cups of cold water to the tea to dilute it. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it until chilled.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Syrup

1. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, and water. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the syrup thickens slightly.
3. Remove from heat and strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the strawberry solids. You can also leave some pulp in for added texture if you like.
4. Stir in lemon juice (optional), then let the syrup cool.

Step 3: Combine the Tea and Strawberry Syrup

1. Once the tea and strawberry syrup are both chilled, combine them in a large pitcher. Stir to combine.
2. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more sugar or syrup if desired.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve the Strawberry Sweet Tea over ice in tall glasses.
2. Garnish with sliced strawberries, lemon wedges, and fresh mint leaves for a festive and refreshing touch.

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Tips for the Best Strawberry Sweet Tea

• Adjust sweetness: You can customize the sweetness of your strawberry syrup and tea to suit your taste. Add more or less sugar as you like.
• Make ahead: You can prepare both the tea and strawberry syrup in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Infused strawberry flavor: If you want a more intense strawberry flavor, you can blend the syrup with a few fresh strawberries before mixing it with the tea.
• Add a twist: For a fun variation, try adding a splash of club soda or ginger ale for a fizzy version of this sweet tea.

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Storage

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Strawberry Sweet Tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the strawberry syrup in ice cube trays for easy use in future drinks.

Enjoy your Strawberry Sweet Tea – a refreshing, sweet, and fruity drink perfect for summer! 🍓🍹