Xanthan Gum Free Strawberry Basil Iced Tea
This refreshing summer drink layers bold black tea with a homemade strawberry basil syrup that's genuinely stunning in both color and flavor. The syrup comes together by simmering fresh strawberries with maple syrup and water until the fruit breaks down into a deep, jewel-toned liquid, then steeping fragrant basil leaves right into the warm mixture for a floral, herby finish. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of thickeners and stabilizers — no gums, no additives, just real fruit, herbs, and a touch of natural sweetener. That matters more than you might think, because plenty of flavored syrups and bottled teas sneak in xanthan gum or similar binders to improve texture or shelf life. Here, the gorgeous body of the drink comes entirely from the strawberry juice itself, strained clean through a fine-mesh sieve. The result is a pitcher of iced tea that looks like something from a fancy café but takes only pantry staples and a little patience to pull off. Serve it over a tall glass of ice with a sprig of basil on top and it's honestly hard to believe something this beautiful is this simple.
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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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