Emulsifier Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is the kind of thing that looks like it came from a fancy café but comes together entirely from scratch with nothing but whole, recognizable ingredients. Muddled fresh strawberries give it a gorgeous ruby hue and a bright, jammy depth, while a quick maple-lemon syrup adds sweetness without any of the processed additives or stabilizers that sneak into store-bought mixers and flavored syrups. Steeped black tea forms the backbone — bold, slightly tannic, and perfectly balanced by the citrus and berry layers built on top of it. The sparkling water goes in last, right before serving, so every glass gets that satisfying fizz without losing its lift. It's naturally free from emulsifiers at every step, which can be genuinely hard to guarantee with bottled lemonades or pre-made iced tea concentrates. A lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint on the rim make it feel like a special occasion drink, even on a regular Tuesday afternoon.
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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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