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 about a tall glass of iced tea sweetened with fresh strawberries that just feels like summer in a sip. This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe brings together classic Southern-style sweetness with bright, fruity notes, making it a refreshing treat you’ll want to make again and again.

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

This strawberry sweet tea recipe is one I’ve come back to all summer long because it masterfully balances everything I want in a cold drink: it’s sweet but not cloying, fruity but genuine, and easy enough that you’ll want to whip it up on a whim.

Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Simmering the strawberries with sugar creates a homemade syrup bursting with juicy berry goodness that really shines in every sip.
Classic Sweet Tea Base: Using black tea bags and the perfect steeping technique keeps that familiar Southern tea personality intact.
Simple and Quick: Just a few ingredients and about half an hour gets you a pitcher of beverage worthy of any gathering or quiet afternoon.
Flexible Sweetness Level: You control the sugar, so whether you like super sweet or just a hint, it’s easy to adjust.

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 plays a specific role to deliver that perfect glass of strawberry sweet tea. Don’t rush on the berries—they are the heart of the flavor—and the baking soda might seem odd but it smooths out the tea’s bitterness beautifully.

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

Black Tea Bags: The base of sweet tea; black tea gives that robust, full-bodied flavor we expect.
Water: Divided between brewing the tea and making the strawberry syrup, the water keeps everything balanced.
Baking Soda: Just a teaspoon to soften the tea’s tannins and reduce bitterness for a cleaner taste.
Fresh Strawberries: Chopped and simmered to release natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.
Granulated Sugar: The classic sweetener for iced tea, bringing that signature Southern sweetness.

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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 making this strawberry sweet tea my own by dialing the sweetness up or down depending on the mood—and sometimes I add a splash of lemon juice to give it a little zing that cuts through the sugar beautifully.

Variation: Once, I swapped out some strawberries for raspberries just to switch up the berry vibe; it gave a lovely tart edge and my family was impressed with this twist.
Dietary Modification: If you want to reduce sugar, try cutting it in half and let the natural strawberry sweetness shine through—even a touch of honey works nicely as an alternative.
Seasonal Change: When strawberries aren’t at their peak, frozen berries work in a pinch—just simmer them a bit longer for maximum flavor.

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

Step 1: Brew the Perfect Tea Base

Start by bringing 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, remove from heat immediately and add your black tea bags—steep them for exactly 5 minutes. This timing keeps the tea robust without turning bitter. When you remove the tea bags, squeeze them gently with tongs to get every drop of rich flavor out before tossing them.

Step 2: Create the Strawberry Syrup

Using the same saucepan, add the remaining 2 cups of water, the chopped strawberries, and granulated sugar. Simmer gently over low heat for about 20 minutes. You’ll see the strawberries soften and the sugar dissolve into a thick, fragrant syrup. It’s one of my favorite kitchen smells!

Step 3: Combine and Finish

Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool slightly. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a small pitcher or bowl, pressing the berries to get every last drop of juice. Then, pour this strawberry syrup into your large pitcher with the brewed tea plus 4 more cups of cold water and the baking soda. Stir it all together and your strawberry sweet tea is ready to chill or serve!

Step 4: Serve Over Ice

Pour the strawberry sweet tea into glasses filled with ice cubes—not in the pitcher, to avoid watering down your beautiful brew—and enjoy immediately for the freshest taste.

Top Tip

After making this strawberry sweet tea recipe multiple times, I’ve picked up a few handy tricks that ensure success every time—these might save you some trial and error.

Start with Cold Water: For the best clarity, use cold water when you add the 4 cups to the tea—it helps prevent cloudiness and keeps the flavor bright.
Don’t Skip the Baking Soda: I used to overlook this step, but the baking soda really cuts tannin bitterness, making your iced tea smoother and easier to sip.
Squeeze Tea Bags Gently: Use tongs to press out the tea bags instead of your fingers to avoid bitterness and bitter oils that can sneak in.
Ice in Glasses Only: Adding ice straight to the pitcher waters the tea fast, so keep it in the individual glasses to preserve that strong flavor.

How to Serve Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe

Strawberry Sweet Tea - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I like adding thin slices of fresh strawberries and a sprig of mint for a fresh look and aroma. Sometimes, a small wedge of lemon on the rim adds a pretty color pop and subtle citrus brightness I just can’t resist.

Side Dishes

This strawberry sweet tea pairs beautifully with light summer fare—think fresh salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, or classic Southern sides like pimento cheese and biscuits. It’s sweet enough to balance salty or savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For summer parties I’ve hosted, I love setting up a DIY tea bar with mason jars, assorted fresh fruit garnishes, and fun straws—guests enjoy customizing their glasses, making the tea experience even more delightful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your strawberry sweet tea covered and chilled in the refrigerator, ideally in a pitcher or sealed container. I find it stays fresh and flavorful for up to a week, so you can make it ahead and enjoy throughout the week.

Freezing

I haven’t frozen this tea myself because the ice tea with syrup tends to lose some texture when frozen, but you can freeze the strawberry syrup portion in an ice cube tray and add cubes as needed to fresh tea for quick flavor boosts.

Reheating

This recipe is best served cold, but if you want a warm strawberry tea, gently heat the leftover tea on the stove without boiling to avoid bitterness, and add honey instead of sugar for a smooth finish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh or frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe?

Fresh strawberries give the best flavor, especially when in season, but frozen strawberries will work in a pinch; just simmer them a bit longer to extract all the juice.

Why do you add baking soda to the tea?

Baking soda helps neutralize the tannins in black tea, reducing bitterness and resulting in a smoother, cleaner iced tea that's easier to enjoy.

Can I reduce the sugar in this strawberry sweet tea recipe?

Yes! You can cut the sugar in half or adjust to your taste preference. Less sugar allows the strawberry flavor to be more prominent and the tea less sweet.

How long can I store this tea in the fridge?

Stored in a sealed pitcher or container, the strawberry sweet tea stays fresh and tasty for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sweet Tea Recipe feels like a sweet little summer celebration in each glass, and I honestly find it hard to resist making it on warm days. It’s simple, refreshing, and just the right balance of sweetness with fresh strawberry flavor. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do—do yourself a favor and pour yourself a tall glass soon!