Strawberry Iced Tea (Caffeinated or Caffeine-Free)

Name: Strawberry Iced Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons black tea or rooibos tea (loose leaf (or 2 tea bags)); ¾ cup water (freshly boiled); 3 tablespoons strawberry simple syrup; 1 strawberry (sliced); Ice

A quick way to make a fruit infused iced tea is by adding homemade fruit simple syrup to the pitcher or glass. You could buy iced strawberry tea at the store, but once you try this recipe at home it’ll be hard to go back to the bottled version! This strawberry iced tea is made with fresh strawberries, simple syrup and black tea or rooibos for a caffeine-free version. It is easy to make, hydrating and full of ripe strawberry flavour. Don’t let the spring or summer go by without enjoying a tall glass!

What is Strawberry Iced Tea?

Strawberry iced tea is a combination of brewed tea and strawberry simple syrup. The syrup gives the iced tea the strong strawberry flavour, bright red colour and sweetness.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

thirst-quenching, quick to make and easy to customize
the caffeine-free option lets you enjoy it during the day or night
real strawberry flavour, nothing artificial
you can control the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup
wonderful to serve at picnics, garden parties or summer bbq

Ingredient Notes

Black Tea or Rooibos

For a caffeinated strawberry iced tea, use black tea in this recipe. For a naturally caffeine-free option, use rooibos tea.

Water

Whether you are using black tea or rooibos, the water should be freshly boiled to steep the tea properly.

Strawberry Simple Syrup

This ingredient is responsible for the main flavour of this iced tea and the sweetness. You can add more of less to your glass, per your taste.

This recipe uses a homemade strawberry simple syrup. Find the recipe for that here and prepare it while the tea is chilling!

Fresh Strawberries

To add more flavour and dress up the drink, thinly slice a strawberry and add it to the glass before pouring in the steeped tea.

Ice

Last but certainly not least, you can’t have iced tea without the ice!

Easy Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe

Find the full directions and ingredient measurements in the printable recipe card below.

STEP ONE: Begin by steeping your tea of choice.

Add the loose leaf tea leaves or tea bags to a teapot or heat resistant jar with freshly boiled water. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes.

If using loose leaf tea, strain the leaves when done steeping. If using tea bags, remove and discard. Let the steeped tea cool then cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

STEP TWO: Make the strawberry simple syrup.

This strawberry simple syrup recipe can be made while waiting for the tea to chill. The homemade fruit simple syrup only takes about 25 minutes to make but it will need time to cool as well.

STEP THREE: Assemble the strawberry iced tea.

In a glass, add strawberry simple syrup, ice, sliced strawberries and the chilled tea.

Stir to combine before serving or enjoying!

FAQs

Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf tea?

Yes, you can use tea bags in this iced tea recipe. There are measurements and instructions for both loose leaf and tea bags in the recipe card below.

What type of black tea should be used in this recipe?

Any black tea will work in this recipe! Make sure to use a plain black tea though, not a blend so the flavours don’t interfere with this fruit flavoured iced tea.

Can I make a pitcher of this iced tea instead of just 1 serving?

You can easily double or triple the amount of tea in this recipe to make more than 1 glass. However, I recommend assembling the full recipe when guests are present so they can decide on how much strawberry simple syrup they would like in their glass.

Tips & Tricks

Avoid watered down iced tea by making sure the tea is chilled so it doesn’t melt the ice cubes quickly. Alternatively, use frozen strawberries instead of ice cubes.
Follow the proper steeping instructions. If you’re using a specific black tea or rooibos, use the recommended water temperature and steep time on the package to make sure the tea doesn’t become bitter.