Rice Free Sparkling Lemonade Berry Iced Tea
This drink is the definition of a crowd-pleaser — bright, fizzy, and layered with real fruit flavor that tastes like summer in a glass. Fresh strawberries are muddled right in the pitcher, releasing their natural juice into a deep amber black tea base that's been sweetened with maple syrup instead of anything processed or refined. The lemon syrup — made with fresh juice, zest, and just a splash of water — adds a tart, aromatic lift that balances the berry sweetness perfectly. A final pour of chilled sparkling water gives it that effervescent finish that makes it feel genuinely special, not just like iced tea with fruit thrown in. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of grains and starches, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — it just works as written. Serve it over ice with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel, and it looks as good as it tastes.
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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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