Chestnut Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is pure summer in a glass — bright, fizzy, and layered with the kind of flavor that makes you want to sit outside and never go back inside. Fresh strawberries are muddled until they release their juice, then combined with a silky maple-lemon syrup and deeply steeped black tea for a base that's genuinely complex without being fussy. The sparkling water goes in last, right before serving, so every glass gets that satisfying effervescence from the very first sip. Because the whole thing is built from fruit, tea, and a handful of pantry staples, there's absolutely nothing to second-guess — no hidden additives, no processed flavorings, just clean and vibrant ingredients doing exactly what they should. The maple syrup brings a gentle, rounded sweetness that plays beautifully against the tartness of fresh lemon juice and zest, keeping the whole drink from tipping into cloying territory. A sprig of mint and a lemon wheel on the rim make it look like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a rooftop bar, but it comes together right in your own kitchen.
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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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