Beef Free Strawberry Basil Iced Tea
This is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel like a special occasion. Fresh strawberries are simmered down with maple syrup until they release a gorgeous deep-pink juice, then fragrant basil leaves are steeped right into that syrup for a floral, herby twist that takes the whole thing somewhere unexpected. The syrup gets strained smooth and blended with bold black tea and cold water, so every sip is perfectly balanced ā fruity, a little earthy, and refreshing without being cloyingly sweet. Maple syrup does the sweetening here instead of refined sugar, which gives the drink a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with the berries. It's entirely plant-based and naturally free from any animal proteins, so it works for a wide range of guests without any modifications needed. Make a big pitcher ahead of time, let it chill, and pour it over ice with a few basil sprigs and strawberry slices for a presentation that looks far more impressive than the effort involved.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the tea
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
For the strawberry basil syrup
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- Ā½ cup maple syrup
- Ā½ cup water
- Ā½ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
To finish
- 2 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh basil sprigs, for garnish (optional)
- sliced strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags, then set the brewed tea aside to cool slightly.
- 2
While the tea steeps, combine the halved strawberries, maple syrup, and 1/2 cup water in the same saucepan (or a second small saucepan) over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have softened and released their juices and the liquid is a deep pink, about 8 minutes.
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