Name: Strawberry Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (Note 1): Strawberries are the heart and soul of this iced tea. Opt for fresh, ripe strawberries for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness. When choosing strawberries, look for berries that are bright red, plump, and fragrant. Avoid any that are bruised or have soft spots. Slicing the strawberries helps them release their juices more readily during the cooking process, maximizing the strawberry flavor in the syrup. Note 1: Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries: While fresh strawberries are highly recommended for the best flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are out of season or unavailable. If using frozen strawberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply add them directly to the saucepan as instructed. Keep in mind that frozen strawberries might release more water during cooking, so you might need to simmer the syrup for a slightly longer time to achieve the desired consistency. The flavor profile might be slightly less intense compared to fresh strawberries, but it will still be delicious.; ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sugar is essential for creating the syrup and balancing the tartness of the strawberries and lemon juice in the final iced tea. Granulated sugar works perfectly here, dissolving easily and providing a clean sweetness. Sugar Variations: While granulated sugar is the standard choice, you can experiment with other types of sugar to subtly alter the flavor profile. For a slightly richer, caramel-like note, try using light brown sugar. For a more nuanced sweetness, consider using cane sugar. If you are looking for sugar alternatives, options like agave nectar or honey can be used, but they will slightly change the flavor and consistency of the syrup. If using liquid sweeteners, you may need to reduce the amount of water in the syrup recipe slightly. For sugar-free options, consider using stevia or erythritol-based sweeteners, adjusting the amount to your preferred sweetness level, as these sweeteners are typically much sweeter than sugar.; 2 cups water: Water is the base liquid for the strawberry syrup, helping to extract the flavors from the strawberries and create the syrupy consistency. Using good quality water is always recommended, especially if your tap water has a strong taste. Filtered water is an excellent choice for ensuring the purest flavor of your strawberry syrup.; 1 cup strawberry syrup (recipe above): This homemade strawberry syrup is the star ingredient, infusing the iced tea with its vibrant strawberry flavor and natural sweetness. Make sure to let the syrup cool completely before using it in the iced tea to prevent melting the ice and diluting the drink prematurely.; ½ cup granulated sugar: An additional touch of sugar is added directly to the brewed tea to ensure the perfect level of sweetness in the final iced tea. You can adjust this amount to your preference, depending on how sweet you like your iced tea.; ½ cup fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is crucial for adding a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberries and sugar. Lemon juice not only enhances the flavor profile but also helps to balance the sweetness and prevent the iced tea from being overly sugary. Fresh vs. Bottled Lemon Juice: While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice is always superior in terms of flavor. Bottled lemon juice can sometimes have a slightly metallic or artificial taste due to preservatives. For the best and brightest flavor, always opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice. One medium-sized lemon typically yields about 2-3 tablespoons of juice, so you’ll need approximately 3-4 lemons to get ½ cup of juice.; 5 bags black tea (Note 3): Black tea forms the base of this iced tea, providing a robust and slightly tannic flavor that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and the tartness of the lemon. Choose a good quality black tea for the best flavor. Note 3: Tea Bag Variety: You can use your favorite brand of black tea bags for this recipe. For a classic iced tea flavor, English Breakfast or Ceylon black tea are excellent choices. If you prefer a slightly bolder flavor, Assam or Darjeeling black tea would also work well. Experiment with different types of black tea to find your personal preference.; Loose Leaf Tea Option: If you prefer using loose leaf tea, you can certainly substitute tea bags with loose leaf black tea. For 5 tea bags, use approximately 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea. Steep the loose leaf tea in a tea infuser or strainer in the hot water for the same steeping time as tea bags (5 minutes). Then, remove the infuser or strain out the tea leaves before proceeding with the recipe.; 6 cups water, divided: Water is used both for brewing the tea and for diluting the final iced tea to the perfect strength. As with the strawberry syrup, using good quality water is recommended for brewing the tea.; Ice cubes: Plenty of ice is essential for chilling the iced tea and keeping it refreshingly cold.; Fresh mint and sliced strawberries (optional garnish): Fresh mint sprigs and slices of strawberries are beautiful and flavorful garnishes that elevate the presentation of your Strawberry Iced Tea. They add a touch of visual appeal and enhance the overall sensory experience of enjoying this refreshing beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Luscious Strawberry Syrup:

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (Note 1): Strawberries are the heart and soul of this iced tea. Opt for fresh, ripe strawberries for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness. When choosing strawberries, look for berries that are bright red, plump, and fragrant. Avoid any that are bruised or have soft spots. Slicing the strawberries helps them release their juices more readily during the cooking process, maximizing the strawberry flavor in the syrup.
- Note 1: Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries: While fresh strawberries are highly recommended for the best flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are out of season or unavailable. If using frozen strawberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply add them directly to the saucepan as instructed. Keep in mind that frozen strawberries might release more water during cooking, so you might need to simmer the syrup for a slightly longer time to achieve the desired consistency. The flavor profile might be slightly less intense compared to fresh strawberries, but it will still be delicious.

¾ cup granulated sugar: Sugar is essential for creating the syrup and balancing the tartness of the strawberries and lemon juice in the final iced tea. Granulated sugar works perfectly here, dissolving easily and providing a clean sweetness.
- Sugar Variations: While granulated sugar is the standard choice, you can experiment with other types of sugar to subtly alter the flavor profile. For a slightly richer, caramel-like note, try using light brown sugar. For a more nuanced sweetness, consider using cane sugar. If you are looking for sugar alternatives, options like agave nectar or honey can be used, but they will slightly change the flavor and consistency of the syrup. If using liquid sweeteners, you may need to reduce the amount of water in the syrup recipe slightly. For sugar-free options, consider using stevia or erythritol-based sweeteners, adjusting the amount to your preferred sweetness level, as these sweeteners are typically much sweeter than sugar.

2 cups water: Water is the base liquid for the strawberry syrup, helping to extract the flavors from the strawberries and create the syrupy consistency. Using good quality water is always recommended, especially if your tap water has a strong taste. Filtered water is an excellent choice for ensuring the purest flavor of your strawberry syrup.

For the Refreshing Strawberry Iced Tea:

1 cup strawberry syrup (recipe above): This homemade strawberry syrup is the star ingredient, infusing the iced tea with its vibrant strawberry flavor and natural sweetness. Make sure to let the syrup cool completely before using it in the iced tea to prevent melting the ice and diluting the drink prematurely.

½ cup granulated sugar: An additional touch of sugar is added directly to the brewed tea to ensure the perfect level of sweetness in the final iced tea. You can adjust this amount to your preference, depending on how sweet you like your iced tea.

½ cup fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is crucial for adding a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberries and sugar. Lemon juice not only enhances the flavor profile but also helps to balance the sweetness and prevent the iced tea from being overly sugary.
- Fresh vs. Bottled Lemon Juice: While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice is always superior in terms of flavor. Bottled lemon juice can sometimes have a slightly metallic or artificial taste due to preservatives. For the best and brightest flavor, always opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice. One medium-sized lemon typically yields about 2-3 tablespoons of juice, so you’ll need approximately 3-4 lemons to get ½ cup of juice.

5 bags black tea (Note 3): Black tea forms the base of this iced tea, providing a robust and slightly tannic flavor that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and the tartness of the lemon. Choose a good quality black tea for the best flavor.
- Note 3: Tea Bag Variety: You can use your favorite brand of black tea bags for this recipe. For a classic iced tea flavor, English Breakfast or Ceylon black tea are excellent choices. If you prefer a slightly bolder flavor, Assam or Darjeeling black tea would also work well. Experiment with different types of black tea to find your personal preference.
- Loose Leaf Tea Option: If you prefer using loose leaf tea, you can certainly substitute tea bags with loose leaf black tea. For 5 tea bags, use approximately 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea. Steep the loose leaf tea in a tea infuser or strainer in the hot water for the same steeping time as tea bags (5 minutes). Then, remove the infuser or strain out the tea leaves before proceeding with the recipe.

6 cups water, divided: Water is used both for brewing the tea and for diluting the final iced tea to the perfect strength. As with the strawberry syrup, using good quality water is recommended for brewing the tea.

Ice cubes: Plenty of ice is essential for chilling the iced tea and keeping it refreshingly cold.

Fresh mint and sliced strawberries (optional garnish): Fresh mint sprigs and slices of strawberries are beautiful and flavorful garnishes that elevate the presentation of your Strawberry Iced Tea. They add a touch of visual appeal and enhance the overall sensory experience of enjoying this refreshing beverage.

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Instructions

Part 1: Crafting the Delicious Strawberry Syrup

Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan: In a small, 7-inch saucepan, combine the sliced fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and 2 cups of water. Ensure the strawberries are evenly distributed in the saucepan.

Simmer Over Medium Heat: Place the saucepan over medium heat on your stovetop. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve and prevent sticking.

Cook Until Strawberries Soften: Continue to cook the strawberry mixture, stirring occasionally, for approximately 30 minutes. The strawberries will gradually soften and break down, releasing their juices and vibrant color into the syrup. The syrup will also thicken slightly as it reduces. You’ll notice the liquid transforming into a beautiful ruby red hue.
- Visual Cues for Doneness: The syrup is ready when the strawberries are very soft and have lost most of their bright red color, becoming paler pink. The liquid will have thickened slightly and will coat the back of a spoon. You can also test the consistency by placing a small spoonful of syrup on a chilled plate. If it sets up slightly and doesn’t run too quickly, it’s ready.

Strain the Syrup: Once the strawberries are softened and the syrup has cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully pour the hot strawberry mixture through a colander or fine-mesh sieve placed over a heatproof container or bowl. This step separates the smooth strawberry syrup from the cooked strawberry pulp and seeds.

Cool the Syrup Completely: Set the strained strawberry syrup aside to cool down completely at room temperature. This is crucial before proceeding to make the iced tea. Cooling the syrup prevents it from melting the ice and diluting the iced tea when you combine it later. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the container of syrup in the refrigerator once it has cooled slightly at room temperature.
- Storage of Strawberry Syrup: If you want to make the strawberry syrup ahead of time, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This makes it convenient to prepare the syrup in advance and quickly assemble the iced tea whenever you desire a refreshing drink.

Part 2: Brewing and Assembling the Strawberry Iced Tea

Boil Water for Tea: In a separate small saucepan, add 2 cups of water. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. A rolling boil is when the water is vigorously bubbling and moving rapidly.

Steep the Tea Bags: Once the water is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the 5 black tea bags to the hot water.

Steep for 5 Minutes (Important!): Allow the tea bags to steep in the hot water for precisely 5 minutes. Steeping for the correct amount of time is crucial for achieving the desired flavor and avoiding bitterness. Setting a timer for 5 minutes is helpful to ensure accurate steeping.
- Why Steeping Time Matters: Steeping tea for too short a time will result in weak, flavorless tea. Steeping for too long can extract too much tannin from the tea leaves, leading to a bitter and astringent taste. Five minutes is generally the ideal steeping time for black tea to achieve a balanced flavor.

Discard Tea Bags: After 5 minutes of steeping, carefully remove the tea bags from the saucepan and discard them. Avoid squeezing the tea bags, as this can also release bitter tannins into the tea.

Dissolve Sugar in Hot Tea: Add ½ cup of granulated sugar to the hot brewed tea in the saucepan. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stirring ensures that the sugar is fully incorporated into the tea and doesn’t settle at the bottom.

Combine Syrup and Tea in a Pitcher: Pour the cooled strawberry syrup into a large pitcher (at least 2-quart capacity). Then, pour the sweetened hot tea into the pitcher as well.

Add Remaining Water: Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher. This dilutes the concentrated tea and syrup mixture to create the final iced tea.

Stir in Lemon Juice: Pour in the ½ cup of fresh lemon juice into the pitcher. Stir gently once more to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. The lemon juice will brighten the flavors and create a harmonious balance.

Chill and Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the Strawberry Iced Tea over the ice-filled glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and slices of strawberries, if desired, for an extra touch of elegance and flavor.
- Chilling Options: For the best and most refreshing experience, it’s ideal to chill the Strawberry Iced Tea in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the iced tea is perfectly cold. If you’re short on time, adding plenty of ice to the pitcher will also chill it down quickly, but the ice will melt and slightly dilute the drink over time.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 136 kcal