Almond Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is the definition of a crowd-pleasing refresher — bright, fizzy, and layered with real fruit flavor that tastes like summer in a glass. Fresh strawberries get muddled right in the pitcher, releasing their natural juice and color before being strained out, so every sip is smooth and vibrant without any chunky bits. A quick maple syrup and lemon zest mixture stands in for plain simple syrup, adding a subtle depth that makes the whole thing feel a little more special than your average iced tea. The sparkling water goes in at the very end, keeping those bubbles lively and giving the drink that satisfying effervescent lift. Everything here is made from whole, straightforward ingredients — black tea, fresh lemons, strawberries, maple syrup — so there's no need to scan labels or worry about hidden nut-based additives sneaking into your glass. It's an easy, elegant pour that works just as well for a backyard gathering as it does for a quiet afternoon on the porch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea base
- 4 black tea bags
- 3 cups boiling water
For the lemon syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup water
For the berry layer
- 16 medium strawberries, hulled and halved (about 200 g)
For assembling
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or large measuring cup. Pour the 3 cups of boiling water over them and steep for 4–5 minutes, until the tea is deep amber and full-flavored. Remove the bags without squeezing, then let the tea cool to room temperature, about 20–25 minutes.
- 2
While the tea steeps, combine the maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the maple syrup is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes — the mixture should be smooth and slightly steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
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