Celery Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is pure summer in a glass — tart, fruity, and fizzy in all the right ways. Fresh strawberries are muddled until they release their juice, then combined with a bright maple-lemon syrup and deep amber black tea for a layered flavor that feels way more special than anything you'd pour from a bottle. The whole thing gets strained smooth and finished with chilled sparkling water, so every sip is clean and refreshing with just the right amount of bubble. Since every ingredient here is straightforward and naturally free of hidden additives, you can serve it without a second thought at gatherings where guests have specific dietary needs. The maple syrup brings a gentle, rounded sweetness that plays beautifully against the lemon zest and berry tartness — no cane syrup required. Dress it up with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint, and it looks like something off a restaurant menu with almost zero effort.
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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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