How to Make Southern-Style Strawberry Sweet Tea

My family insists on this tea at every backyard barbecue. I’m happy to share it with you, and I’m pretty sure it’ll become a favorite in your home, too.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Sometimes I cut down on the sugar, but not always. Try it and see what you like best.

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Equipment

• Pitcher
• strainer

Ingredients

Strawberry Syrup

• 3 cups strawberries, frozen is fine (For the sweetest tea, select fresh berries that are bright red and fragrant.)
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water

Tea

• 3 family-sized tea bags, Luzianne brand recommended
• 6 cups hot water
• 6 cups cold water

Garnish (All Optional)

• lemon wedges
• fresh mint
• additional strawberries

How to Make Strawberry Sweet Tea

Step One: Cook Strawberries

Combine the syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the strawberries become softened and bright red, about 15 minutes. Mash well with a potato masher or large fork.

Step Two: Strain

Strain the syrup into a medium bowl. Set aside to cool while you make the tea.

Step Three: Make Tea

Place the tea bags in a heat-proof pitcher. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Pour over the tea bags and allow to steep 3 minutes, then remove and discard.

Step Four: Add Syrup

Pour 6 cups of cold water into the pitcher of tea. Add the strawberry syrup and mix thoroughly.

Step Five: Chill

Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for 4 hours, or until very cold. Serve over ice with fresh lemon slices, sliced berries, and mint leaves.

Storage Instructions

After chilling the tea, you can store any leftovers in the same pitcher or transfer it to a sealed container, such as a large mason jar or a bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the tea refrigerated to maintain its freshness and flavor.

The tea will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

The strawberry syrup can also be frozen separately in an ice cube tray for quick and easy flavor boosts to drinks or desserts. With a few tweaks to the recipe, you can make strawberry syrup in bulk and can it.

What to Serve with Strawberry Sweet Tea

Having a backyard summer party? Then you’ll want to make these too:

• Pulled pork sandwiches that are made in the slow cooker for easy serving in the heat.
• Southern coleslaw that goes with everything.
• Cast iron skillet mac and cheese to make the kids happy.
• A classic and budget-friendly old-fashioned cucumber and onion salad.
• A triple berry cobbler that has the taste (but not the heartache) of pie.

More Homemade Tea and Lemonade

There’s something special about a homemade drink in the summertime.

• This blackberry iced tea follows the same steps, just with blackberries instead of strawberries.
• A glass of peach and raspberry sweet tea will cool you down.
• Strawberry lemonade is easy to make with no blending or straining.
• Blackberry lemonade is tart and sweet, and looks so pretty!

Printable Recipe