Artificial Flavors Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
Summer drinks are often loaded with synthetic flavors and dyes that have no business being in your glass, but this one keeps everything refreshingly honest. Fresh strawberries are muddled right in the pitcher, releasing their natural juice and color into the drink without any artificial shortcuts. The lemon syrup is built from real lemon juice, lemon zest, and maple syrup — nothing from a bottle, nothing you can't pronounce. Steeped black tea forms the backbone, giving the whole drink a depth that store-bought mixes simply can't replicate. A final splash of sparkling water adds that satisfying fizz and lifts all the flavors right before serving. The result is a layered, jewel-toned drink that looks stunning in a tall glass and tastes like peak summer without a single synthetic flavor in sight.
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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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