BHA & BHT Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is the kind of thing you'd pay too much for at a trendy café, and it tastes even better when you make it yourself. Freshly muddled strawberries, real lemon juice, and a maple syrup base give it a bright, layered sweetness that bottled mixes simply can't touch. Many store-bought flavored teas and lemonades sneak in synthetic preservatives to extend shelf life, so making this from scratch means you know exactly what's going in your glass. The lemon syrup comes together in just a couple of minutes on the stovetop, and the whole process is genuinely satisfying — especially that moment when you muddle the strawberries and the kitchen fills with that fresh berry fragrance. Topping each glass with chilled sparkling water right before serving keeps the fizz lively and the presentation gorgeous. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lemon slice and it looks like something out of a summer entertaining spread, no effort required.
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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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