Cinnamon Free Strawberry Basil Iced Tea

Total time1 hr 20 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time10 min

5.0

(3)

This refreshing summer drink layers bold black tea with a homemade strawberry basil syrup that's as beautiful as it is flavorful. The syrup comes together by simmering fresh strawberries with maple syrup and water until the fruit breaks down into a gorgeous deep-pink liquid, then steeping fresh basil leaves right into the warm mixture for a herbal lift that feels genuinely sophisticated. Every ingredient here is naturally free of cinnamon — no spice blends, no flavored syrups from a bottle, no hidden seasonings to second-guess. That matters more than you'd think, since store-bought flavored teas and pre-made fruit syrups are surprisingly common culprits for sneaking in warming spices. Once everything is strained and chilled, you're left with a pitcher of jewel-toned iced tea that's sweet, floral, and just a little earthy from the basil. Serve it over ice with a few strawberry slices on the rim and it looks like something from a café menu — no barista required.

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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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