Description
Strawberry Citrus Iced Tea is a vibrant and refreshing summer beverage combining robust black tea with fresh strawberries, zesty lemon, and sweet orange juice. Lightly sweetened with honey or sugar, this chilled drink is perfect for warm days and delightful served over ice with garnishes of mint and citrus slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 4 cups water (for brewing the tea)
- 3-4 black tea bags (or green tea if preferred)
Flavor Infusion
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 lemon (zest and fresh juice)
- 1 orange (fresh juice)
Sweetener
- 2-4 tablespoons honey or sugar (to taste)
For Serving & Garnish
- Ice
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Citrus slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Boil 4 cups of water and pour it into a heatproof pitcher. Add the tea bags and let them steep for 5-7 minutes to release their flavor. Remove and discard the tea bags once steeped.
- Add Fruit and Citrus: Stir in the sliced strawberries gently to infuse their juice into the warm tea. Squeeze the juice from one lemon and one orange into the mixture and stir to combine. Sweeten by adding honey or sugar to taste, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Cool the Tea: Allow the tea mixture to cool to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1-2 hours to develop flavors and cool completely.
- Serve Cold: When ready, pour the chilled tea over ice cubes. Garnish with extra citrus slices, fresh mint leaves, or additional strawberry slices to make it visually appealing and enhance freshness.
Notes
- Use green tea instead of black for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust the amount of honey or sugar according to your desired sweetness level.
- For a stronger fruit flavor, muddle the strawberries before adding or add extra slices as garnish.
- Chill longer for a colder, more refreshing drink.
- Mint garnish is optional but adds a pleasant aroma and taste.
