Celery Free Strawberry Basil Iced Tea
Summer sipping doesn't get much better than a pitcher of something this vibrant and refreshing. Fresh strawberries are simmered down with maple syrup until they release a gorgeous deep-pink juice, then steeped with fragrant basil leaves to create a syrup that tastes genuinely special. That syrup gets strained and stirred into brewed black tea for a drink that's fruity, herbal, and just sweet enough without being cloying. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of celery and celery derivatives — no hidden seasonings, no spice blends to second-guess, just clean, whole-food components you can feel good about. It's an ideal make-ahead drink since it needs time to chill in the fridge, which means it's ready and waiting when guests arrive or when the afternoon heat hits. Serve it over a tall glass of ice with a sprig of basil on top and it looks like something from a café menu.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
For the strawberry basil syrup
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ 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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