Name: Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 8 black tea bags; 4 cups water; 1 tsp baking soda; 2 cups water; 4 cups strawberries chopped; 1½ cups granulated sugar

There’s something truly refreshing about a homemade sip of summer, and this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe captures exactly that. The natural sweetness of ripe strawberries blends beautifully with the rich black tea, making for a drink that feels like a sunny afternoon in a glass—totally worth making for your next warm day.

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 always keep this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe in my summer arsenal because it’s simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting friends or just chilling on the porch, it hits that perfect balance between sweet and fruity without any artificial flavors.

Real Strawberry Flavor: Using fresh, ripe strawberries means you get that juicy, natural sweetness that supermarket mixes just can’t match.
Easy to Make: The steps are straightforward, and you don’t need fancy equipment—just your saucepan and a pitcher.
Customizable Sweetness: You control how sweet or tangy it is, which lets you tailor it just right for your tastebuds.
Perfect for Warm Weather: It's a refreshing, chilled drink that keeps you cool and hydrated on sunny days.

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

Each ingredient in this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe has its role, balancing flavor and texture to make this drink truly memorable. Grab the freshest ingredients you can, and I promise the difference will shine through!

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: Using fresh, cold water helps ensure clarity and a clean tea flavor without bitterness.
Black Tea Bags: Choose a good quality black tea—it gives that bold, familiar tea base essential for sweet tea.
Baking Soda: This little addition balances the tannins from the tea and helps soften the flavor for a smoother sip.
Strawberries: Fresh, ripe, and juicy is what you want here; they bring the sweet, fruity heart of the recipe.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the tea while also helping to extract the strawberry juices during simmering.

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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

I love how flexible this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe is! Sometimes I cut the sugar in half for a lighter taste, or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a little zing. You can easily tweak it to suit your mood or what you have on hand.

Lemon Twist: Adding fresh lemon juice or lemon slices gives a bright, citrusy edge that pairs beautifully with the strawberry sweetness.
Lightened Sweetness: I’ve found reducing the sugar by half still keeps it satisfying but lets the strawberry flavor really shine.
Herbal Infusion: A sprig of fresh mint or basil stirred in right before serving adds a refreshing herbal touch perfect for warmer days.

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

Step 1: Brew the Black Tea

Start by bringing 2 cups of cold water to a boil in your saucepan. Once it’s bubbling, take it off the heat and steep your 8 black tea bags for about 5 minutes. Don’t rush this part—it’s where the deep tea flavor builds, but beware of steeping too long or the tea will get bitter. I usually gently squeeze the bags with tongs afterward to catch every drop.

Step 2: Combine Tea and Baking Soda

Pour your brewed tea into a large pitcher, then add 4 more cups of cold water and a teaspoon of baking soda. That baking soda is a nifty trick I learned to soften the tannins in black tea, making the flavor smoother and less astringent.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Syrup

Back to your saucepan, bring the remaining 2 cups of water, chopped strawberries, and sugar to a low simmer. Let it gently bubble for about 20 minutes until the strawberries break down and release all their flavor into the syrup. I like to stir occasionally—and you’ll enjoy the sweet aroma filling your kitchen.

Step 4: Strain and Mix

Once the syrup cools down a bit, strain it through a fine mesh sieve, pressing those juicy berries so none of that strawberry goodness is wasted. Add this syrup to your tea pitcher and give everything a good stir to marry the flavors.

Step 5: Serve Over Ice

Finally, pour the strawberry sweet tea over ice in individual glasses—not into the big pitcher, otherwise your tea will water down before serving. Trust me, it keeps every sip perfectly chilled and flavorful.

Top Tip

Having made this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few small tweaks that really make the difference between good tea and unforgettable tea!

Cold Water Start: Always start boiling cold water fresh from the tap; warm or room temp water can make your tea cloudy due to tannin release.
Don’t Oversteep: Steeping for exactly 5 minutes keeps the tea flavorful without bitterness—I've ruined batches by going too long and it's not worth the regret!
Baking Soda Magic: Adding baking soda is my secret for super smooth tea, cutting down the harshness some brands have.
Ice in Glasses Only: Adding ice directly to the pitcher watered down my tea too fast. Serving over ice individually keeps the flavor intact.

How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Strawberry Sweet Tea - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping my glasses with a fresh strawberry slice or a tiny sprig of mint. It’s simple but adds a pop of color and an extra hint of freshness that makes each glass feel special.

Side Dishes

This strawberry sweet tea pairs beautifully with light, summery snacks. Think finger sandwiches, fresh fruit salads, or even classic Southern fried chicken if you want a hearty combo. The sweetness of the tea balances savory bites perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a backyard party, I like to serve the tea in tall mason jars with striped paper straws and plenty of ice. You could also arrange a build-your-own garnish station with lemon wedges, fresh mint, and extra sliced strawberries to let guests personalize their drinks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep my leftover Strawberry Sweet Tea in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh and tasty for up to one week. Always give it a quick stir before pouring since some settling can happen.

Freezing

While I haven’t personally tried freezing the tea, I wouldn’t recommend it since the fruit and tea flavor could separate or become watery once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

This recipe shines as a cold drink, so I don't usually reheat it. If you want a warm cup, try warming a smaller amount gently on the stove and skip the ice. But honestly, it’s at its best chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work fine if fresh aren’t available, but fresh ripe berries definitely give you the brightest flavor and best texture. Just thaw and drain any excess juice before simmering.

What’s the purpose of baking soda in this tea?

Baking soda helps neutralize the tannins found in black tea, which reduces bitterness and makes the tea taste smoother and less harsh. It’s a small step that really improves the overall balance of flavors.

Can I reduce the sugar in this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe?

Yes! You can easily cut the sugar in half or more if you prefer less sweetness. Keep in mind that sugar also helps extract the strawberry juices during simmering, so reducing it will make the tea more tart and less syrupy.

How long does homemade strawberry sweet tea last in the fridge?

Stored in a covered pitcher or airtight container, homemade strawberry sweet tea will stay fresh for up to one week. Always give it a gentle stir before serving if it’s been sitting for a bit.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe is a little bit of sunshine you can make anytime you want to brighten your day. I always feel a little nostalgic brewing up a batch, thinking of summer afternoons with friends and family. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming your new go-to refreshment, just like I have!