Southern Style Strawberry Sweet Tea
1
Updated May 02, 2025, Published Jul 17, 2021
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
While I may live out West, part of my heart still belongs to the South. This Southern style strawberry sweet tea is about as Southern as cornbread—and just as crave-worthy. Think of it as a fruity twist on the classic sweet tea we all know and love, with a splash of fresh strawberry flavor that screams summer in every sip.
Pour yourself a mason jar of this Southern strawberry sweet iced tea and sip it on the porch, at a backyard BBQ, or after a long day. It’s hydrating, just sweet enough, and gives you that nostalgic feeling of simpler times.
Why I Love This Recipe
You all know how much I love aguas frescas, right? Well, this refreshing strawberry iced tea is like if strawberry agua fresca and Southern sweet tea had a baby—juicy, tea-infused, and totally addictive.
Unlike overly sweet store-bought versions, this homemade strawberry sweet tea is made with real strawberries and a touch of cane sugar. That means no artificial flavors and just enough sweetness to hit the spot.
Want a low-glycemic version? You can easily swap in honey, agave syrup, monkfruit, or stevia if you’re avoiding refined sugar.
This recipe is also super easy to whip up and totally customizable. Choose your tea:
- Black tea gives you that bold, classic Southern taste.
- Green tea adds a more mellow, nutty vibe with less caffeine.
- Or go decaf to keep it kid-friendly.
- Caffeine free? No problem at all! You can swap in decaf tea or try brewing with flor de jamaica (hibiscus) for a tangy, floral tea base. It gives the drink a gorgeous red hue and a refreshing tartness—like a spin on agua de jamaica with strawberries.
How to Make Southern Style Strawberry Sweet Tea
Step 1: Boil 4 cups of water in a small pot. Remove from heat and steep 3–4 black tea bags (or your favorite tea) for 10 minutes. Discard tea bags and let cool.
TIP: Want to flex your Southern gardening skills? Toss the used tea bags into your garden compost—they boost oxygen and nutrients in your soil.
Step 2: In a blender, puree 1½ cups of fresh strawberries. Strain the puree into a large pitcher to remove the seeds.
Step 3: Stir in the brewed tea, ¼ to ⅓ cup cane sugar (adjust to taste), and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix until the sugar dissolves completely. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 4: Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices, strawberry slices, or fresh mint.
Optional but encouraged: Serve in a mason jar and sip slow.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make strawberry iced tea, blend fresh strawberries into a purée and strain it into a pitcher. Add cooled brewed tea, sugar, and lemon juice, then stir and chill. Serve over ice for a naturally fruity twist.
A pinch of baking soda is a classic trick in Southern kitchens! It neutralizes the tannins in black tea, reducing bitterness and making your Southern sweet tea smoother and less astringent. You can add ⅛ teaspoon right after steeping the tea bags, if you like.
Don’t toss those strawberry tops! Simmer them in water for 10–15 minutes with a bit of lemon peel or mint, then strain and chill. It’s a great way to reduce waste and enjoy a light, herbal strawberry top tea.
To make flavored sweet tea, start with brewed black or green tea and infuse it with fruits (like strawberries, peaches, or citrus), herbs (mint or basil), or spices (like cinnamon sticks). Sweeten to taste and serve over ice.
Final Sip
If you’ve been looking for a refreshing summer drink with a Southern twist, this Southern style strawberry sweet tea is it. It’s simple, nostalgic, and perfect for hot afternoons or summer parties.
More Tasty Summer Drinks
If you tried this Southern strawberry sweet iced tea or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Strawberry Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, washed and stems removed
- 4 cups water
- 3 tea bags, (black or green)
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring water to a boil.4 cups water
- Remove from heat and add tea bags.3 tea bags
- Let tea bags steep for 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let cool.
- Meanwhile, place the strawberries in a blender and puree. Strain into a pitcher. Stir in the tea, sugar, and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved. Taste and add more sugar, if you wish.1 pint fresh strawberries, 1/3 cup cane sugar, 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Serve in glasses over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and berries.
Notes
- Storage: This fruit-infused sweet tea will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a stir before serving.
- Caffeine-Free Option: You can easily use decaf black or green tea, or swap in hibiscus (flor de jamaica) for a naturally caffeine-free option that adds a tangy twist and rich red color.
- No fresh strawberries? No problem. Frozen strawberries work great—just thaw before blending and straining.
- Refined sugar-free? Feel free to use honey, agave, monkfruit, or stevia to suit your taste and dietary needs.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
This strawberry tea is basically equal parts strawberry agua fresca and southern sweet tea.