Berry-sweet Southern Sipper is a refreshing twist on the classic Southern sweet tea, blending fresh strawberries and sweet tea bags to create a delightful fruity beverage. The combination of pureed strawberries and a touch of lemon juice offers a balance of sweetness and tang, making this drink the perfect summer treat. The easy preparation involves steeping tea, blending strawberries, and mixing everything together. Garnish with lemon slices and additional strawberries to elevate the presentation. This tea can be served over ice and enjoyed on warm sunny days for a cooling effect that complements the vibrant flavor profile.
This Berry-sweet Southern Sipper is a refreshing take on classic Southern sweet tea. With the natural sweetness of strawberries and a touch of lemon, it’s the perfect summer drink to cool down with.
Next, let’s dive into the ingredients that make this tea so vibrant and delightful.
INGREDIENTS
- Fresh Strawberries: Hulled and pureed to add natural sweetness and a fruity twist to the classic sweet tea.
- Sweet Tea Bags: The base of this recipe, providing the traditional Southern tea flavor.
- Boiling Water: Used to steep the tea bags, extracting a rich tea flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy balance to the sweet strawberries, elevating the refreshing flavor.
- Lemon Slices (Optional): Garnish the tea with fresh lemon slices for an extra touch of citrus flavor and visual appeal.
- Additional Strawberries (Optional): For an added burst of strawberry flavor and decoration.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Begin by gathering a heat-friendly pitcher. Place the sweet tea bags inside the pitcher.
- Step 2:
- Pour boiling water over the tea bags and let them steep for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the rich tea flavor to develop. Once done, remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Step 3:
- Chill the steeped tea in the refrigerator for at least an hour to ensure a refreshing coolness when served.
- Step 4:
- While the tea is chilling, hull and puree fresh strawberries in a blender until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds for a smoother consistency.
- Step 5:
- Once the tea is chilled, mix the strawberry puree and fresh lemon juice into the pitcher. Stir until everything is fully combined.
- Step 6:
- Serve the strawberry-infused sweet tea over ice, garnishing with fresh lemon slices and additional strawberries if desired.
- Step 7:
- Enjoy this fruity and refreshing beverage on a warm day to quench your thirst and delight your taste buds.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve the Berry-sweet Southern Sipper over ice for an extra refreshing experience, perfect for hot summer days.
- Garnish each glass with lemon slices and fresh strawberry halves for added flavor and a beautiful presentation.
- For a sparkling twist, add a splash of soda water or sparkling lemonade before serving to give it a fizzy finish.
- This tea pairs perfectly with light snacks like cucumber sandwiches, fruit salads, or savory appetizers.
Helpful Notes
- To make this drink ahead of time, prepare the tea and strawberry mixture the night before. Keep it refrigerated, and simply pour it over ice when ready to serve.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the tea by adding a bit more sugar or honey to the strawberry puree if desired.
- If you prefer a stronger strawberry flavor, increase the number of strawberries used, or add a strawberry syrup to taste.
Tips from well-known chefs
- Chef Bobby Flay suggests adding fresh mint leaves to enhance the freshness and make the drink more fragrant.
- Chef Ina Garten recommends using fresh, in-season strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.