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.