Make cherry iced tea from scratch using black tea, real cherries and homemade cherry syrup. The flavours are brisk, fresh and slightly tart. It’s a hit on hot days, especially during cherry season!
Cherry Iced Tea From Scratch
Making this cherry iced tea at home is very simple. Start by preparing your favourite black tea and cherry simple syrup made from real cherries.
Afterwards, combine the two over ice and garnish for added freshness!
The sweet and tart cherries balances the bold black tea. Since it is made with black tea, this iced tea is caffeinated.
This fruit infused iced tea recipe can be prepared for just one person or you can increase it to make a pitcher for many. Serve at parties like brunches, summer barbecues, baby showers, wedding showers, birthdays and more.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s absolutely delicious: Smooth, sweet and juicy iced tea!
- Real cherry flavour: Since it uses homemade cherry simple syrup, there is nothing artificial.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness with the amount of syrup used or swap the black tea for a different type of tea.
Cherry Iced Tea Ingredients
With just a few ingredients, making this iced tea could not be easier!
- Black Tea: I like to use tea bags for convenience here, but loose leaf tea can be used as well.
- Water: Steep the black tea in freshly boiled water.
- Cherry Simple Syrup: Make homemade cherry simple syrup with just 3 ingredients. The cherry syrup should be made in advance so it has time to cool before assembling the iced tea.
- Ice Cubes
- Cherries and Mint: For garnish
Easy Cherry Iced Tea Recipe
Grab the printable recipe card below for the full directions and measurements!
To Prep:
Steep black tea (tea bags or loose leaf) in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes.
Strain the loose leaf tea or remove the tea bags after steeping. Allow the tea to cool then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
While you are waiting for the black tea to chill, make the homemade cherry simple syrup.
TIP: Save the leftover cherries from the simple syrup recipe to use in this iced tea. They can be used for added cherry flavour and/or garnishing.
To Assemble:
In a glass, add cherry simple syrup, a few sliced cherries and ice cubes. Fill the glass with the chilled black tea.
If desired, garnish with a sprig of mint and more cherries. Stir to combine before serving or enjoying!
Variations
- For a caffeine-free version, use rooibos or honeybush herbal tea instead of black tea
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup
- Combine the cherry iced tea with equal parts lemonade for a cherry Arnold Palmer
- Turn this into a cherry cocktail by adding vodka or gin
More Simple Iced Tea Recipes:
Cherry Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons loose leaf black tea or 2 black tea bags
- ¾ cup water freshly boiled
- 3-4 tablespoons cherry simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cherries and sprig of mint for garnish
Instructions
- Steep black tea (tea bags or loose leaf) in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes.
- Strain the loose leaf tea or remove the tea bags after steeping. Allow the tea to cool then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. You can make the homemade cherry simple syrup during this wait.
To assemble the cherry iced tea:
- In a glass, add cherry simple syrup, a few sliced cherries and ice cubes.
- Fill the glass with the chilled black tea. If desired, garnish with a sprig of mint and more cherries. Stir to combine before serving or enjoying!
Notes
Do you want to try this simple cherry iced tea recipe later? Save it on Pinterest. Click here and pin it!
I just made this and it’s so yummy and refreshing! I like how you have the leftover sweetened cherries when you make the syrup – it’s like getting two treats from one recipe.