Best Strawberry Mint Iced Tea

My Berry Best Friend

Let’s talk about a perfect summer beverage. My strawberry mint iced tea is my garden in a glass. It is so pink and pretty. Doesn’t that smell amazing? I make a big pitcher every week.

This homemade iced tea is caffeine-free. That means kids can enjoy it too. I love using Red Zinger tea for its berry flavor. It makes the drink a beautiful red color. This matters because we eat and drink with our eyes first.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

I first made this iced tea recipe for my granddaughter. She thought plain tea was boring. So we cooked strawberries right in the water. Their sweet juice colored everything pink. She was so delighted!

Now, it’s our special tradition. We sip it on the porch swing. We talk about our week. *Fun fact*: simmering the fruit pulls out more flavor than just adding it later. It makes a big difference in your strawberry tea.

Why We Simmer and Steep

You gently cook the berries and mint. This makes a flavored water for your tea. Then you add the tea bags off the heat. Steeping too long in hot water makes tea bitter. I still laugh at my first bitter batch!

Letting it cool slowly is key. This keeps the fresh mint tea flavor bright. Rushing it in the fridge traps heat. That can make it taste muddy. This matters for a truly refreshing summer drink.

Make It Your Own

This easy drink recipe is just a start. You can sweeten each glass with a little honey. Or leave it plain for a tart sip. The garnish is the best part! Add the saved fresh berries and mint.

Those berries taste wonderful after soaking in the tea. Have you ever tried a strawberry banana bread? It uses berries in a different, delicious way. What is your favorite way to sweeten iced tea?

More Than Just a Drink

Making this strawberry mint iced tea slows you down. You notice the berry scent. You see the color change. It is a small moment of calm. We need more of those in our busy days.

It also helps you use summer’s bounty. Got extra strawberries? You could also make a lovely strawberry sauce. Do you grow mint in your garden or in a pot? Tell me your favorite use for fresh mint!

Ingredients:

Instructions

Step 1: Grab your saucepan and six cups of water. Toss in most of your strawberries and the mint leaves. Let it simmer until the water blushes a light pink. This is the heart of your strawberry mint iced tea. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It reminds me of my sunny porch.

Step 2: Now, add your four Red Zinger tea bags. Just simmer for one minute! Then turn off the heat. Let the bags steep for a few more minutes. (A longer steep makes bitter tea, trust me!).

Step 3: Carefully pour the hot strawberry tea through a sieve into a big bowl. You can compost the used berries and mint. Let your homemade iced tea cool on the counter. This patience makes a clearer summer beverage.

Step 4: Once it’s cool, pop it in the fridge. This caffeine-free tea needs to get properly cold. Now, here’s a fun choice. Do you like your refreshing summer drink sweet? Sweeten now or let folks add their own honey? Share below!

Step 5: Time to serve your easy drink recipe! Pour over ice. Garnish with the saved fresh berries and a mint sprig. I still laugh at how pretty it looks. This iced tea recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.

Creative Twists

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This strawberry mint iced tea loves a friend. Try it with a fresh salad for a light lunch. For a sweet treat, a slice of banana bread is perfect. You could also serve it in a big pitcher with lemon slices floating on top. It just feels like summer then. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Tea Fresh and Cool

This homemade iced tea is best fresh. But it keeps well for three days in the fridge. Always store it in a sealed pitcher. This keeps other food smells from sneaking in. Your tea will stay tasting like sweet strawberries and mint.

You can also freeze it! Pour cooled tea into ice cube trays. I once did this for a surprise heatwave. Those tea cubes were a lifesaver. They chilled my glass without watering it down. It was so clever, if I do say so myself.

Batch cooking this refreshing summer drink saves so much time. A big pitcher means you are ready for guests. Or for a thirsty you after playing outside. This matters because good food should make life easier, not harder. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Tea Troubles

Is your tea too weak? Simmer the strawberries and mint a bit longer. Let the color get a nice, deep pink. Then add your tea bags. This builds a strong fruit base for your strawberry tea flavor.

Too bitter? Do not simmer the tea bags too long. One minute is plenty. I remember when I over-steeped my first batch. It was not nice at all. Removing the bags on time matters for a smooth sip.

Not sweet enough? Sweeten each glass, not the whole pitcher. This lets everyone choose. Honey or agave mixes in easily with cold drinks. Fixing small issues builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavor just right for you. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

What flavors go well with mint tea?

Mint tea loves citrus friends like lemon or lime. A little honey makes it cozy. For a fun twist, try a splash of peach or raspberry juice. These flavors all highlight mint’s fresh, cool taste. They turn a simple mint tea into a special treat. It is one of my favorite parts of creating an easy drink recipe.

Do mint and strawberry go together?

Oh, they are a perfect match. Strawberry brings sweet and fruity notes. Mint adds a cool, fresh finish. Together they taste like a summer garden. This classic pair is why our strawberry mint iced tea is so delicious. It is a timeless combo for good reason.

What are the different types of iced tea?

You can make iced tea from black, green, or herbal tea bags. Black tea has caffeine and a strong taste. Green tea is lighter. Herbal teas, like the red zinger tea we use, are caffeine-free. You can brew it hot then cool it, or steep it in the sun. Each type makes a lovely summer beverage.

What is the best selling iced tea flavor?

Plain lemon iced tea is often the most popular. But fruity flavors like peach and raspberry are close behind. Strawberry is a rising star for its sweet, cheerful taste. Making your own lets you be the boss of flavor. You can adjust the sweetness and fruit just how you like it.

What flavors go with mint tea?

Chocolate and mint are a classic dessert pair. In drinks, cucumber or ginger work wonderfully. They add a clean, zesty note. Even a little vanilla can make mint taste creamy and soft. Experiment to find your favorite mix. The kitchen is your playground.

What flavour pairs well with mint?

Besides strawberry, mint loves melon and pineapple. These fruits are very refreshing. For a savory idea, mint is great in salads with peas or feta cheese. *Fun fact: Mint is part of the same plant family as basil and lavender!* It is a very friendly herb. Which tip will you try first?

My Kitchen is Always Open

I hope you love this iced tea recipe as much as I do. It reminds me of sunny afternoons on the porch. Sharing these small joys is what cooking is all about. I would love to hear from you in the comments. Tell me about your kitchen adventures. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you.

Happy cooking!

—Elowen Thorn

Summer Strawberry Mint Iced Tea

Author: Elowen Thorn Cooking Method:Stovetop Cuisine:American Courses:Beverage

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 10 minutesRest time: 30 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories:27 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

A refreshing and vibrant iced tea infused with fresh strawberries and mint.

Ingredients

• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced, divided (1 ½ cup and ½ cup)
• 20 whole fresh mint leaves, more or less to liking plus more for garnish
• 4 bags Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea
• Honey, agave or honey to your taste and liking, optional
• 6 cups Water

Instructions

1. Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Add 1 ½ cups strawberries and mint. Simmer about 5 minutes until water turns light red.
2. Add 4 tea bags and simmer for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat and let tea bag steep for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Pour tea through a sieve into a large bowl. Discard strawberries, mint leaves and tea bags.
5. Let come to room temperature then refrigerate until serving.
6. Sweeten to individual taste, if desired.
7. Garnish with remaining strawberries and additional mint leaves.

Notes

For a stronger mint flavor, gently bruise the mint leaves before adding them to the simmering water.

Keywords:Strawberry, Mint, Iced Tea, Summer, Drink