There’s something magical about the way a glass of sweet tea can make even the hottest day feel just a little cooler. But when you add strawberries to the mix? Now we’re talking about summer in a glass. Strawberry Sweet Tea brings a fruity twist to a Southern classic, creating a refreshingly sweet sip with a pop of berry flavor that’s hard to resist.
This drink is made for porch-sitting, barbecue-sharing, and sunshine-soaking. It balances the deep richness of brewed tea with the natural sweetness and slight tartness of fresh strawberries. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just treating yourself to a moment of bliss, this tea is one of those simple pleasures that feels like a real reward.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Sweet Tea
Strawberry Sweet Tea isn’t just a drink, it’s a mood. You’ll love how it brings a splash of color to your table and a burst of fruitiness to your taste buds. The strawberries not only enhance the tea with flavor, but also add a beautiful rosy hue. It’s easy to make, easy to scale for gatherings, and endlessly customizable with herbs, lemon, or even a dash of sparkling water.
What Kind of Tea Should I Use?
You can use classic black tea bags for that traditional sweet tea flavor, or branch out with green tea if you want a slightly lighter, more earthy profile. If you’re feeling adventurous, a touch of hibiscus tea will amplify the color and bring a floral note that complements the strawberries beautifully. Just be sure to choose a tea that can hold its own against the bold sweetness of the fruit.
Ingredients for the Strawberry Sweet Tea
Strawberry Sweet Tea starts with a handful of wholesome, simple ingredients that you probably already have at home. The key here is quality: ripe strawberries and a good-quality tea will go a long way. The sweetness can be adjusted to your liking, but don’t skip the lemon—it brightens everything up and brings balance to the blend.
- Black tea bags
- Fresh strawberries
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
- Cold water
- Ice


How To Make the Strawberry Sweet Tea
Step 1: Brew the Tea Base
Bring about 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, and add the black tea bags. Let them steep for 5 to 10 minutes depending on how strong you want your tea. Once brewed, discard the bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Syrup
While the tea is steeping, combine sliced fresh strawberries with sugar and a splash of water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the strawberries break down and release their juices—this takes about 10 minutes. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the syrup, discarding the solids.
Step 3: Mix It All Together
In a large pitcher, combine the brewed tea, the strawberry syrup, lemon juice, and cold water. Stir well and taste—adjust sweetness or acidity if needed. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Step 4: Serve Over Ice
Fill your favorite glasses with ice and pour the chilled strawberry sweet tea over the top. Garnish with lemon slices or extra strawberries for a festive touch.
How to Serve and Store Strawberry Sweet Tea
This refreshing tea is best served ice cold on a warm day. It’s perfect for backyard get-togethers, picnics, or simply lounging on the porch with a good book. You can pour it into mason jars for a charming Southern touch or serve it in a large drink dispenser for parties. This recipe yields about 6 to 8 servings, making it great for small gatherings or a week’s worth of personal refreshment.
To store, keep the tea in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving as the syrup may settle a bit. Avoid leaving lemon slices in the tea if storing for more than a day, as they can add bitterness over time.
What to Serve With Strawberry Sweet Tea?
H3: Crispy Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls
These bring just the right amount of heat to balance the tea’s fruity sweetness. A crispy bite and a cool sip make a perfect match.
H3: Southern Cornbread Poppers
Slightly spicy and wonderfully savory, these mini bites are a fun finger food to enjoy with a cold glass of tea.
H3: Classic Caprese Salad
Light, juicy, and herby, this salad complements the tea’s brightness with creamy mozzarella and fresh basil.
H3: Grilled Chicken Bites with Creamy Garlic Sauce
A heartier pairing that works well when you’re serving Strawberry Sweet Tea as part of a full summer meal.
H3: Roasted Asparagus
Simple and elegant, this veggie side dish balances the fruity tones of the tea with a touch of earthiness.
H3: Baby Lemon Impossible Pies
If you’re going the dessert route, the lemon in these mini pies plays beautifully with the citrus hint in the tea.
H3: One-Bowl Banana Chocolate Muffins
Want something soft, sweet, and a little chocolaty? These muffins are fantastic with tea for an afternoon treat.
Want More Drink Ideas with a Twist?
If Strawberry Sweet Tea has earned a spot in your drink rotation, you might want to explore these other flavorful options that are sure to quench your thirst:
- Try our Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops for a fruity frozen treat.
- The Refreshing Homemade Peach Sorbet is another cool summer favorite.
- If you’re a lemon lover, the Creamy and Easy Egg Custard Pie adds a velvety citrus finish to any meal.
- Cool down with Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips for a sweet and crunchy companion to your tea.
- For a rich pairing, check out our Decadent Chocolate Smores Cupcakes with Gooey Marshmallow Center.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest drink board so you can come back to it any time.
Let me know in the comments how you served your Strawberry Sweet Tea. Did you go heavy on the lemon or add a hint of mint? Maybe you mixed in sparkling water for a fizzy finish?
I love seeing how these recipes take on new life in different kitchens. And if you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask—let’s sip smarter together.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!
Conclusion
Strawberry Sweet Tea is one of those recipes that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or fancy tools to create something that feels truly special. It’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, planning a picnic, or just looking for a sweet way to stay cool, this tea checks all the boxes. Cheers to sipping joyfully, one glass at a time.
Print
Strawberry Sweet Tea
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Sweet Tea recipe is a fruity Southern twist on a classic drink, combining black tea, fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and ice. Perfect for summer parties or relaxing afternoons, it’s a refreshing homemade beverage everyone will love. Keywords: strawberry sweet tea, iced tea with strawberries, homemade summer drink, fruit tea, Southern sweet tea.
Ingredients
4 black tea bags
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 cups cold water
ice for serving
Instructions
1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, and steep black tea bags for 5–10 minutes. Discard tea bags and let cool slightly.
2. In a saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer over medium heat until strawberries break down, about 10 minutes.
3. Strain the strawberry syrup using a fine mesh strainer, discarding solids.
4. In a large pitcher, mix the brewed tea, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, and cold water. Stir and adjust to taste.
5. Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
6. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices or strawberry slices if desired.
Notes
This tea is best served chilled and over ice.
For a fizzy twist, add sparkling water just before serving.
Use hibiscus tea for a floral, colorful variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop and steeping
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg