Name: Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups water, divided; 8 black tea bags; 1 tsp baking soda; 4 cups strawberries, chopped; 1½ cups granulated sugar

There's something truly refreshing and nostalgic about a cold glass of homemade tea bursting with fresh fruit flavor. This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe combines the sweet simplicity of classic sweet tea with the juicy goodness of ripe strawberries, giving you the perfect sipper for sunny days or any time you want a cool, fruity treat.

Two tall clear glasses with a dark red drink inside, filled with many small ice cubes that create a textured icy layer on top. Each glass is garnished with a half strawberry on the rim and a blue and white striped straw. The glasses sit on round woven coasters placed on a colorful floral cloth with red, yellow, pink, blue, and white flowers. Fresh whole strawberries are scattered around the glasses. The background shows a white basket filled with more strawberries and a blurred large yellow flower. The surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe because it marries that classic Southern sweet tea flavor with the natural sweetness and vibrancy of fresh strawberries. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Every time I whip this up, friends ask for the recipe—it’s that good!

Classic and Fruity: Combines traditional sweet tea with fresh strawberry syrup for a fresh twist on an old favorite.
Natural Sweetness: Uses ripe strawberries to add fruit-forward flavor instead of artificial sweeteners.
Simple Ingredients: Just a few staples from your kitchen and fresh fruit make this so approachable.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a summer BBQ or an afternoon treat, this tea hits the spot.

A clear tall glass filled with two main layers: the bottom layer is a deep red strawberry liquid, and the top layer is a lighter pink mix with crushed ice covering the surface. A half-sliced bright red strawberry with its green top is placed on the rim of the glass alongside a white and blue striped paper straw. A woman's hand holds the glass from the side. The glass is set against a white marbled background with blurred strawberries and other glasses in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe strikes a great balance by marrying strong, slightly astringent black tea with bright, sweet strawberry syrup. Each ingredient has a role, so I recommend sticking close to the list for the best flavor.

Flat lay of fresh ripe strawberries, loose black tea leaves spilling from opened tea bags, a small mound of granulated sugar, and a glass pitcher filled with dark brewed black tea, with a few whole strawberries scattered nearby, all beautifully arranged with vibrant colors and textures highlighted, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Water: Dividing the water helps you steep the tea properly and simmer the strawberry syrup separately for intense flavors.
Black Tea Bags: Choose a robust black tea—like classic orange pekoe—to give your sweet tea that bold, familiar base.
Baking Soda: A small pinch smooths out any bitterness and brings out the tea’s natural sweetness, a little trick I learned from Southern tea experts.
Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are the star here—they give you that juicy, fruity depth you’ll really notice.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the syrup and the tea just right, but you can tweak this amount if you prefer it less sweet.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe is great as is, but I’ve found a few tweaks that make it even better—or suit your taste buds and lifestyle perfectly.

Lower Sugar: I usually cut the sugar by half when I want a lighter, more tart finish that really lets the strawberry shine without overwhelming sweetness.
Lemon Twist: Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end adds a zesty brightness—perfect for a little extra zing on hot days.
Herbal Variation: Try swapping one black tea bag for a hibiscus or fruity herbal tea to create a fun twist with a floral note.
Frozen Strawberries: When fresh aren’t available, frozen strawberries can work—just simmer a little longer to coax out the flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Step 1: Brew Strong, Flavorful Tea

Bring 2 cups of water to a full boil in your saucepan, then remove from heat and add all eight tea bags. Let them steep for exactly 5 minutes—no more, no less. I’ve learned that too little steep time means weak tea, and too long can make it bitter. After steeping, use tongs to squeeze the tea bags gently so you don’t waste a drop of that concentrated flavor. Then pour your brewed tea into a large pitcher, adding 4 cups of cold water and a teaspoon of baking soda to smooth out the taste.

Step 2: Simmer a Sweet Strawberry Syrup

Return your empty saucepan to the stove and combine the remaining 2 cups of water with the chopped strawberries and sugar. Bring this mixture to a low simmer and let it gently bubble away for about 20 minutes. This slow simmer is the secret to unlocking those deep, juicy strawberry flavors. When it’s done, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Strain and Combine

Once your strawberry syrup is cool enough to handle, pour it through a fine mesh sieve into a small pitcher or cup, gently pressing the berries to extract all the juice. This step is crucial to avoid gritty seeds and get a smooth syrup. Add the syrup to your large tea pitcher, stir well to combine, and you’re ready to serve.

Step 4: Serve Over Ice

Instead of adding ice directly to the pitcher, which waters down the tea, I always pour it over ice in individual glasses. This little tip keeps every sip perfectly balanced and refreshing from first to last.

Top Tip

Over years of making this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really elevate the flavor and simplify the process.

Use Ripe Strawberries: For the brightest, juiciest flavor, only use fully ripe, fragrant strawberries—this makes all the difference.
Don’t Rush Steeping: The 5-minute steep is crucial; too short yields weak tea, too long makes it bitter. Set a timer!
Strain Thoroughly: Press those strawberries in the sieve gently but fully to get every bit of syrup without any pulp.
Ice in Glasses: This simple serving tip stops your tea from becoming watered down, keeping it flavorful to the very last sip.

How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Strawberry Sweet Tea - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a few fresh strawberry slices and a sprig of mint to each glass—it makes the tea look as amazing as it tastes. Thin lemon wheels also add a burst of color and brightness if you’re serving guests.

Side Dishes

This strawberry sweet tea pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, light salads, or even classic Southern sides like pimento cheese sandwiches and coleslaw for a full summertime meal. It’s always a hit at cookouts!

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or special occasion, I like to serve this tea in mason jars with colorful striped straws or layer it in a clear pitcher with whole strawberries and lemon slices floating on top—so pretty and inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tea covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. I use a pitcher with a lid to keep it fresh and always give it a good stir before serving again, as the flavors can settle.

Freezing

While I haven’t personally frozen the mixed tea, you can freeze the strawberry syrup separately in ice cube trays and add those cubes to tea later for a quick flavor boost and a cool twist.

Reheating

This tea is best served cold, so reheating isn’t common—but if you’re making it into a warm drink, gently warm the black tea base and add warmed strawberry syrup before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries in this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work well if fresh ones are out of season, but simmer them a little longer to ensure you extract full flavor from them.

What’s the role of baking soda in the tea?

A small amount of baking soda neutralizes some of the tea’s natural bitterness and astringency, resulting in a smoother, subtly sweeter taste.

Can I make this tea less sweet?

Absolutely. I often cut the sugar by half, which brings out a fresher, fruitier flavor without losing the classic sweet tea feel. You can adjust to your taste.

Should I add ice to the pitcher or glasses?

It’s best to add ice to individual glasses rather than the pitcher to avoid watering down the tea too soon. This keeps each glass flavorful right up until the last sip.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe has become one of my top go-to drinks, especially when I want something that tastes homemade but doesn’t take hours to prepare. It’s the kind of recipe I’m happy to share with friends and have proudly ready for summer gatherings. Seriously, once you try this, you’ll want to keep a batch in the fridge all season long.