Chicken 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 warm syrup — the result is floral, fruity, and just a little unexpected in the best way. Brewed black tea brings a gentle backbone that keeps everything grounded and refreshing rather than cloying. The whole thing comes together in a single pitcher and chills until you're ready to pour, making it ideal for entertaining or just treating yourself on a slow weekend. Every single ingredient here is naturally plant-based and free from any meat or poultry concerns, so there's zero guesswork about what's in your glass. Garnish with a sprig of basil and a few strawberry slices and it looks like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a café.
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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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