Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Just let them thaw completely before pureeing to maximize juice yield. Frozen berries tend to be picked at peak ripeness, so they’ll still impart terrific flavor.

Is it possible to make this tea less sweet?

Yes! Adjust the sugar to your liking or experiment with honey, stevia, or another sweetener. Start with less—you can always add more after tasting.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely. You can make a full pitcher a day ahead. Just keep it chilled and give it a good stir before serving, as some of the strawberry sediment may settle.

Do I need a blender or food processor for the strawberries?

While a blender or food processor makes things easiest and creates the smoothest juice, you can also mash ripe strawberries well with a fork and strain through cheesecloth for similar results in a pinch.

Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

Description

Southern Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea is a refreshing Southern-style beverage made with rich brewed tea, sweet strawberry puree, and just the right amount of sugar. This iced tea is perfect for summertime gatherings and offers a vibrant burst of strawberry flavor in every sip. Whether garnished with fresh berries or mint, it’s an irresistible treat to cool down on warm days.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Tea

4–5 family-size tea bags (such as Luzianne)
2 cups water (for steeping tea)

For the Strawberry Juice

4 cups ripe strawberries (makes about 1 cup juice)

For Sweetening and Serving

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 cups cold water
Frozen or fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish or ice cubes)
Fresh mint (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Steep the Tea: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the family-size tea bags. Allow the tea bags to steep for 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags after steeping.
Prepare the Strawberries: Dice the ripe strawberries and place them in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Strain the pureed strawberries through a mesh strainer, collecting the juice and discarding the pulp.
Combine Tea and Strawberry Juice: In a large pitcher, combine the steeped tea, strawberry juice, and granulated sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add Water and Chill: Stir in 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Mix well to combine all the flavors. Refrigerate until the tea is thoroughly chilled and ice cold.
Serve: Pour the finished strawberry sweet iced tea over ice in glasses. If desired, use frozen strawberries as ice cubes and garnish with fresh strawberries or mint for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Notes

The recipe can be easily doubled for large gatherings.
Adjust sugar to your preferred sweetness level.
For a stronger tea flavor, use 5 bags or steep longer.
Leftover tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 12 oz)
Calories: 185
Sugar: 44g
Sodium: 9mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg