Cashew Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is pure summer in a glass — bright, fizzy, and layered with real strawberry, tart lemon, and bold black tea in every sip. The lemon syrup is made from scratch using maple syrup, fresh juice, and zest, so you get a rounded sweetness that bottled mixers just can't match. Muddling the strawberries by hand coaxes out their natural juice and fragrance before everything gets strained into a clean, jewel-toned base. Then comes the sparkling water, turning the whole thing effervescent and refreshing without any store-bought shortcuts to second-guess. For anyone navigating tree nut allergies, this recipe is naturally worry-free — every ingredient is straightforward produce, pantry staples, and tea bags with zero hidden surprises. Serve it over a generous pile of ice with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint, and it looks as stunning as anything you'd order at a café. It's the kind of drink that disappears fast, so you might want to double the batch.
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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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