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–+ servings
two glasses of strawberry sweet tea

How To Make Sweet Tea

You’ll love this tasty and cold drink made with southern sweet tea and fresh strawberry syrup
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, southern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 139kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy | Budget Delicious

Equipment

saucepans
Saucepan
Knife

Ingredients

For the strawberry syrup

  • 2 ½ cups (500g) strawberries sliced
  • ¾ cup (150g) sugar
  • 2 cups (473ml) water

For The Strawberry Sweet Tea

  • 1 ¼ cup (296ml) strawberry syrup
  • ½ cup (100g) sugar
  • ½ cup (118ml) lemon juice
  • 5 tea bags black tea
  • 6 cups (1.42L) water
  • ice cubes

Instructions

Make The Strawberry Syrup

  • Simmer strawberries, sugar, and water for about 25 minutes until the strawberries are soft.
  • Strain the syrup into a jar or other storage container and refrigerate.

Make The Sweet Tea

  • Bring water to a simmer, add the tea bags and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Discard the bags.
  • Stir in the sugar until it dissolves and allow the mixture to cool.
  • In a large pitcher, combine strawberry syrup, lemon juice, and sweet tea.
  • Add ice to glasses and pour in the strawberreysweet tea, garnish and serve.

Notes

Tips For Success

  • Look for ripe, local strawberries for the best color and flavor.
  • Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries as the syrup cooks. 
  • Cool the syrup and tea completely before serving. 

Variations

  • Try Green Tea - Southern sweet tea is usually made with black tea, but green tea is a tasty twist. 
  • Add Fresh Herbs - Fresh basil and fresh mint will both add flavor and brightness.
  • Use Other Fruits - Substitute strawberries for any ripe fruit of your choice. 

Budget-Friendly Tips 

  • Buy Local - Local fruits will be at the peak of flavor and can often be purchased in bulk at a reduced rate. 
  • Freeze Fruit - Wash fruit and store it in the freezer to use later. 
  • Shop Sales - Watch for sales or discounts on tea bags and sugar and stock up. 

Make Ahead and Storage

  • Prep Ahead - Both the strawberry syrup and the tea should be made at least a few hours in advance to allow them time to cool.
  • Store - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. 

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg