Nitrate & Nitrite Free Strawberry Lime Iced Tea
Fresh strawberries, bright lime juice, and a touch of maple syrup are all you need to make a seriously refreshing summer drink that's completely free of synthetic preservatives. Every ingredient here is exactly what it sounds like — no cured meats, no processed additives, nothing hiding in the label — just real fruit, tea, and natural sweetener working together beautifully. The strawberry infusion technique is a small but brilliant move: crushing the berries by hand and straining them through a fine-mesh sieve pulls out a gorgeous deep-pink juice that makes the whole pitcher look like something from a fancy café. Black tea gives it body and a gentle tannin backbone that balances the sweetness of the maple syrup without tipping into sugary territory. The lime juice ties everything together with a citrusy zing that keeps each sip feeling light and lively. It's the kind of drink you'll want to keep a pitcher of in the fridge all week long, ready to pour over ice whenever the mood strikes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea base
- 3 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
For the strawberry infusion
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 cup cold water
For serving
- 3 cups ice cubes
- lime slices, for garnish (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 3 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 stir in the maple syrup until dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- 2
While the tea cools, combine the strawberries and 1 cup cold water in the saucepan (or a separate bowl). Use a fork or the back of a spoon to crush the strawberries until they release their juice and the water turns deep pink, about 1 minute.
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