There's nothing quite like a tall glass of strawberry iced tea on a warm afternoon. The deep ruby color, the sweet berry aroma, the way that first cold sip just hits differently it's pure refreshment. I first made this during a backyard cookout last summer, and honestly, it disappeared faster than I could refill the pitcher. The homemade strawberry simple syrup is what makes it special, giving you control over the sweetness and a flavor that store-bought versions just can't match.
If you love fruit-forward drinks, you might also enjoy this Apple Iced Tea or, for something with a boozy twist, try a Salted Caramel White Russian Cocktail.
Why You'll Love This Strawberry Iced Tea
This strawberry iced tea recipe is ridiculously easy to make and tastes like something you'd pay too much for at a café. The rooibos tea base is naturally caffeine-free and slightly sweet, so it pairs beautifully with the strawberry iced tea syrup without getting overly sugary. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, making it perfect for kids and adults alike. Plus, it looks gorgeous in a glass with those fresh fruit garnishes—total summer vibes.
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Strawberry Iced TeaIngredients
Each ingredient plays a simple but important role in making this tea refreshing and delicious.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Fresh lemon slices: A little citrus brightens the whole drink and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Filtered water: Using filtered water keeps the tea clean-tasting and free from any off flavors that tap water might bring.
- Loose rooibos tea: This herbal tea has a naturally sweet, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with fruit. It's also caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it any time of day.
- Strawberry simple syrup: This is where the magic happens. The syrup adds sweetness and that signature strawberry iced tea flavor. You can make it as sweet or subtle as you like.
- Ice: Essential for keeping your drink cold and refreshing.
- Fresh strawberry slices: These add a pop of color and a hint of fresh berry flavor to every sip.
how to make Strawberry Iced Tea
Follow these easy steps to make your own strawberry iced tea at home.
- Boil and steep the tea: Bring 4 cups of filtered water to a boil. Add 4 teaspoons of loose rooibos tea and let it steep for 5 minutes. This gives the tea time to develop its full flavor without becoming bitter.
- Strain and cool: Pour the brewed tea through a fine-meshed strainer to remove the tea leaves. Let the tea come to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely cool, about 1 hour. If you're in a hurry, place the tea in an ice bath to speed up the cooling process.
- Assemble your drink: Fill a glass with ice cubes, then pour in the chilled tea until the glass is about ¾ full.
- Sweeten to taste: Add a few tablespoons of strawberry simple syrup and stir gently. Start with less and add more if you want it sweeter—everyone's taste is different.
- Garnish and serve: Drop in a few fresh strawberry slices and a lemon slice for garnish. Give it a final stir and enjoy your homemade strawberry iced tea!
Substitutions and Variations
Add herbs: A sprig of fresh mint or basil adds an unexpected and delightful layer of flavor.
Different teas: Swap rooibos for black tea, green tea, or even hibiscus tea for a different flavor profile. Green tea gives you a lighter, more delicate taste, while black tea adds a bolder base.
Sweetener options: If you don't have strawberry simple syrup, try honey, agave nectar, or regular simple syrup with a splash of strawberry juice.
Make it fizzy: Top off your glass with a splash of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a bubbly twist.
What to Serve with Strawberry Iced Tea
This strawberry iced tea is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with so many different meals and snacks. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
Light Lunches and Salads
A crisp glass of strawberry iced tea is perfect alongside fresh summer salads. Try it with a grilled chicken Caesar salad, a strawberry spinach salad with candied pecans, or a classic Cobb salad. The fruity sweetness balances out tangy dressings and makes the whole meal feel light and refreshing.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Whether you're serving turkey club sandwiches, chicken salad wraps, or classic BLTs, this herbal iced tea is the perfect companion. The rooibos base doesn't overpower the flavors of your sandwich, and the strawberry syrup adds just enough sweetness to make lunch feel special.
Brunch Spreads
This drink shines at brunch. Serve it with fluffy pancakes, French toast, breakfast quiches, or avocado toast. The caffeine-free rooibos means everyone can enjoy it, from kids to grandparents, without worrying about the jitters.
Grilled Foods
Fire up the grill and pour some strawberry iced tea. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken skewers, barbecue ribs, burgers, or grilled vegetables. The cold, fruity drink is exactly what you need on a hot day when you're eating outdoors.
Light Desserts
Keep things sweet but not too heavy by pairing your strawberry iced tea with lemon bars, shortbread cookies, angel food cake, or fresh fruit tarts. The strawberry and lemon garnishes in the tea echo those bright, summery dessert flavors perfectly.
Picnic and Party Favorites
Planning a picnic or backyard party? Serve this chilled tea with finger foods like cucumber sandwiches, deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, or veggie trays with hummus. It's easy to make in a big batch, and everyone loves the pretty pink color.
EQUIPMENT
Fine-meshed strainer: This removes the loose tea leaves cleanly. Glass or pitcher: Use a pitcher if you're making a larger batch for a crowd. Ice cubes: Keeps everything nice and cold.
How My Sister's Dish Became a Family Favorite
I never thought a simple glass of iced tea could spark such a big change in our summer routine, but here we are. It all started last July when my sister Lina showed up to our family barbecue with a pitcher of the most gorgeous pink drink I'd ever seen. "What is that?" I asked, eyeing the ruby-colored liquid with strawberry slices floating on top.
Storage Tips
Store the brewed and cooled tea in an airtight container or pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the strawberry simple syrup separate in its own jar so it stays fresh longer—it'll last about a week in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, just pour the tea over ice and add syrup to taste. The fresh garnishes are best added right before serving so they stay vibrant and pretty.
Serving Suggestions
This strawberry iced tea is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or just sipping on the porch. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, a fresh salad, or your favorite sandwich. It also pairs beautifully with light desserts like lemon bars or fruit tarts. For a fun party touch, set up a DIY iced tea bar with different syrups, fresh fruit, and herbs so guests can customize their own drinks.
Expert Tips
Make a big batch. This tea is a crowd-pleaser, so double or triple the recipe for parties. It keeps well in the fridge, so you can prep ahead.
Don't skip the cooling step. Pouring hot tea directly over ice will just melt the ice and dilute your drink. Let it cool completely first.
Adjust the sweetness gradually. It's easier to add more syrup than to fix an overly sweet drink.
Use quality rooibos tea. Fresh, high-quality tea makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
FAQ
How do you make strawberry iced tea?
Brew rooibos tea, let it cool, then sweeten it with strawberry simple syrup and serve over ice with fresh fruit garnishes. It's simple, refreshing, and totally customizable. My tip: chill the tea fully before assembling your glass so the ice doesn't melt too fast.
What does a strawberry tea consist of?
This version uses rooibos tea as the base, strawberry simple syrup for sweetness, and fresh strawberries and lemon for garnish. You can also use other teas like black or green if you prefer.
How to make a strawberry iced drink?
Brew your tea, chill it completely, pour over ice, add strawberry syrup, and garnish with fresh fruit. You can adjust the sweetness and even make it fizzy with sparkling water if you like.
Is strawberry tea good for you?
Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, which is great for your health. The strawberry syrup does add sugar, so enjoy it in moderation. You can always cut back on the syrup if you want a lighter, less sweet version.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with strawberry iced tea
Strawberry Iced Tea
Ingredients
Method
- Bring the filtered water to a boil.
- Add the rooibos tea and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer and let it come to room temperature. Then refrigerate the tea until it’s completely chilled, about 1 hour. finish
- To serve, add ice to a glass, filling about ¾ of the way with the chilled tea.
- Stir in a few tablespoons of strawberry simple syrup, or more to taste. Adjust sweetness as desired.
- Garnish the glass with fresh strawberry and lemon slices, then enjoy!
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