Nightshade Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
Refreshing, vibrant, and naturally free from any nightshade ingredients, this sparkling iced tea is the kind of drink that feels like a treat without any of the usual label-reading stress. Muddled fresh strawberries bring a gorgeous ruby color and a jammy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the bright citrus notes from real lemon juice and zest. A quick maple syrup lemonade base keeps things naturally sweetened, while a generous pour of chilled sparkling water gives every glass a satisfying, celebratory fizz. The whole thing comes together in layers — steeped black tea, berry pulp, and that lemon syrup — then gets strained into a clean, jewel-toned pitcher that looks stunning on any table. It's the kind of drink guests will ask about before they even take a sip. Serve it tall over ice with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel, and you've got something that feels far fancier than the effort involved.
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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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