Name: Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3 cups strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced; 2 cups water (for syrup); 1 cup sugar (for syrup); 3 cups boiling water; 3 family-sized tea bags (or 9 regular tea bags); 1 cup sugar (for tea); 8 cups cold water; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 lemon, sliced for garnish; 6–8 strawberries for garnish; Ice cubes

I made a classic Southern-style sweet tea, brewed strong and sweet, then elevated it with a homemade strawberry simple syrup and a hint of fresh lemon. It’s stunning in color, bursting with flavor, and perfect for sipping on a hot day.

Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love the way the homemade strawberry syrup turns ordinary sweet tea into something special—each sip tastes like summer. The lemon balances the sweetness, and making my own syrup gives me control over flavor intensity and sweetness. Plus, it looks gorgeous in a pitcher with fresh strawberries and lemon slices!

ingredients

(H ere’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Strawberry Simple Syrup:

3 cups strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
2 cups water
1 cup sugar

Sweet Tea:

3 cups boiling water
3 family‑sized tea bags (or 9 regular bags)
1 cup sugar
8 cups cold water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 lemon, sliced for garnish
6–8 strawberries for garnish
Ice cubes

directions

Make the syrup: In a saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, 2 cups water, and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes until strawberries are very soft and liquid is deep red. Strain into a pitcher, pressing gently to extract syrup—avoid pulp.
Brew the tea: In a bowl, steep tea bags in 3 cups boiling water for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags, stir in 1 cup sugar while still hot until dissolved.
Combine: Pour sweetened tea into the pitcher with cooled strawberry syrup. Add 8 cups cold water and lemon juice; stir well.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate 2–3 hours until thoroughly cold.
Serve: Pour over ice, garnish with lemon slices and whole strawberries.

Servings and timing

Makes about 14 servings.
Prep time: ~30 minutes
Total time: ~2 hours 30 minutes (mostly chilling time)

Variations

Use thawed frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available—just thaw before using.
Skip or reduce the lemon if preferred, though I find it adds a lovely brightness.
Adjust tea strength by using more or fewer tea bags, or steep longer or shorter.

storage/reheating

Store in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for up to 5 days—I find it tastes even better after a day as the flavors meld.
Stir before serving to reincorporate syrup if it has settled.
It’s best served cold—no reheating needed.

FAQs

### How long does homemade sweet tea last?

I keep mine in the fridge up to five days. After that, it may start losing flavor or taste flat.

### Can I make this ahead for a party?

Absolutely—I often make it a day ahead. I find chilling it overnight enhances the flavor and makes serving a breeze.

### Can I use regular tea bags instead of family‑sized?

Yes, use 9 regular tea bags to match the strength of 3 family‑sized ones. Adjust up or down based on how strong I like my tea.

### What can I do with leftover strawberries from the syrup?

I chill that leftover berry mush and use it as a toast topping or spoon it over yogurt or ice cream—it’s delicious.

### Can I make a lighter version?

Yes—reduce sugar in the syrup or tea base, or use less syrup in each glass. You could also try a sugar substitute, but I prefer traditional sugar for the authentic sweet tea taste.

Conclusion

I love how this Strawberry Sweet Tea takes a Southern staple and gives it a fresh, vibrant twist. It’s easy to prep, stunning to serve, and satisfying to sip. Whether I’m lounging by the pool, hosting friends, or just relaxing on the porch, this tea hits all the right notes—sweet, tangy, and utterly refreshing.