Refreshing Strawberry Basil Iced Tea Recipe
A refreshing and aromatic Strawberry Basil Iced Tea that combines the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries with the fragrant, slightly peppery flavor of basil. This iced tea is lightly sweetened and perfect for a cooling beverage on a warm day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 12 green tea bags (or your favorite black tea)
- 12 cups water
Fruit and Herbs
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Sweetener
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (more to taste)
To Serve
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil the Water: In a large pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil over high heat to prepare the tea base.
- Steep the Tea: Remove the pot from heat and add the 12 green tea bags. Let them steep for about 5-7 minutes, or until the tea is strong and fragrant.
- Add Strawberries and Basil: Remove the tea bags and add 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries and 1 cup of fresh basil leaves to the hot tea. Allow the mixture to steep for an additional 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Sweeten the Tea: Stir in 1/3 cup granulated sugar while the tea is still warm, mixing until it fully dissolves. Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar if desired.
- Chill the Tea: Once sweetened and infused, strain the tea to remove the strawberry pieces and basil leaves. Transfer the tea to a pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and fresh strawberries and basil leaves for garnish. Pour the chilled strawberry basil iced tea over the ice and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute black tea for green tea if preferred, which will give a stronger and richer flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness according to your taste by adding more or less sugar.
- For a natural sweetener alternative, honey or agave syrup can be used instead of granulated sugar.
- This tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a covered pitcher.
- For a sparkling version, replace part of the water with club soda just before serving.
Keywords: strawberry iced tea, basil iced tea, summer drinks, refreshing iced tea, herbal iced tea