This cherry iced tea is cool, fruity, and oh-so-refreshing! Perfect for hot days, it blends the delicious taste of cherries with classic black tea for a fun twist.
What I love most is how easy it is to make. Just brew, mix in some cherry goodness, and chill. Trust me, it’s a hit at any summer gathering! 🍒
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Black Tea: This is the base of your cherry iced tea. I recommend using black tea bags for convenience, but you could also use loose leaf tea if you have it on hand. Green tea can be a lighter alternative!
Cherries: Fresh cherries are fantastic for this recipe, but frozen cherries work just as well, especially during off-seasons. If you can’t find cherries, try raspberry or strawberry for a different fruit flavor.
Sugar: I suggest starting with 1/4 cup of sugar, then tasting it to see if you want it sweeter. You can easily swap out sugar for honey or agave syrup, or even use a sugar substitute like stevia.
Mint Leaves: Fresh mint gives a nice refreshing touch. If you don’t have mint, you can skip it or use basil as a unique alternative!
How Do You Make the Best Cherry Syrup?
Making the cherry syrup is key for adding flavor. Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Combine pitted cherries and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Gently mash the cherries as they cook. This helps release their juices.
- When the mixture starts to simmer and the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes), remove it from heat.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to leave just the syrup behind. Let it cool down before mixing it with your tea.
This syrup adds a burst of cherry flavor to the iced tea, making it truly refreshing!
Easy Refreshing Cherry Iced Tea
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 black tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cherry iced tea will take you about 15-20 minutes to prepare, plus about 1-2 hours to chill. Get ready to enjoy a refreshing drink perfect for warm days or anytime you need a pick-me-up!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Brew the Tea:
Start by placing your black tea bags into a heatproof pitcher. Carefully pour the boiling water over the tea bags and let them steep for about 5-7 minutes. This will give your tea a strong, rich flavor. Once it’s steeped, remove and discard the tea bags.
2. Make the Cherry Syrup:
While your tea is steeping, wash your cherries and add them along with the sugar to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and mash the cherries gently with a fork or potato masher as they cook. Keep stirring until the mixture starts to simmer and the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). This creates a sweet cherry syrup!
3. Strain the Syrup:
Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the cherry mixture through a fine sieve or strainer into a bowl or jar. This will separate the syrup from the cherry solids. Let the syrup cool down for a few minutes.
4. Combine the Ingredients:
Once your cherry syrup has cooled, pour it into the pitcher with the brewed tea. Add the 2 cups of cold water and stir everything together. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if you like!
5. Chill Your Tea:
Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator. Let the cherry iced tea chill for about 1-2 hours until it’s nice and cold.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
When you’re ready to enjoy, fill a glass with ice cubes, pour the chilled cherry iced tea over the ice, and garnish with fresh mint leaves and additional cherries if you like. Sit back, sip, and relax!
Can I Use Different Types of Tea for This Recipe?
Absolutely! While black tea provides a rich flavor, you can experiment with green tea, herbal tea, or even white tea for a lighter taste. Just adjust the steeping time according to the type of tea you choose, as green tea typically requires less steeping time (about 3-5 minutes).
Can I Store Leftover Cherry Iced Tea?
Yes! You can store any leftover cherry iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to keep it in an airtight container. You might want to freshly add ice when serving, as it can become diluted over time.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Cherries?
No worries! Frozen cherries work perfectly in this recipe and are often just as tasty. Alternatively, you can substitute cherries with other berries such as strawberries or raspberries to create a delightful berry iced tea.
Is There a Sugar-Free Option for This Recipe?
Definitely! You can replace the sugar with natural sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, or a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Just start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste preference!
