Martha Stewart Strawberry Iced Tea fills an easy summer pitcher with just fresh berries, brewed black tea, and lemon juice. She blends and strains the strawberries, so the batch takes 15 minutes and holds in the fridge up to two weeks for cookouts and picnics.
Serve it over ice with sliced strawberries and lemon wheels at a brunch or backyard party. Strain the pureed berries through a fine mesh sieve for a clean pour, since that one step is the difference between smooth and gritty.
Martha Stewart Strawberry Iced Tea
Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes10
minutes15
kcalBright, fruity, and smooth with fresh strawberry flavor in every sip. Three ingredients make a whole pitcher that pours clean and chills for up to two weeks.
Ingredients
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled, plus more for serving
4 cups water, divided
4 tea bags (or 1/2 cup loose tea)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus wheels for serving
Ice, for serving
Directions
- Blend the strawberries: Place the strawberries in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Brew the tea: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags; let steep for 10 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags, then pour the water into a heatproof bowl. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of water, lemon juice, and strawberry puree. Let the mixture cool completely.
- Strain and chill: Strain the strawberry tea through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing against the strawberry pulp to extract as much juice as possible, then transfer to a pitcher. Chill in the refrigerator until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 2 weeks. Serve over ice with strawberry slices and lemon wheels.
FAQs
Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags for strawberry iced tea?
Both work fine. With loose leaf tea, shorten the steeping time from 10 minutes to about 5 minutes, since loose leaves release flavor faster. Use 1/2 cup of loose tea in place of the 4 bags, and strain it through a fine mesh sieve when you remove it.
How long does homemade strawberry iced tea last in the fridge?
It stays good for up to 2 weeks when stored in a sealed pitcher or airtight container. Since there is fresh fruit in it, give the tea a sniff before pouring if it has been sitting more than 10 days. Always keep it refrigerated.
What other fruits can I use instead of strawberries?
Raspberries and blackberries swap in at the same ratio and blend the same way. Stone fruits like peaches and nectarines work too, but you may want to add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice to balance their sweetness. Watermelon makes a lighter version that tastes great on a hot day.
Do I need a food processor to make this iced tea?
A blender works just as well and often gives you a smoother puree. If you have neither, mash the hulled berries through a fine mesh sieve with the back of a spoon, which takes longer but gets the job done. The key is getting the berries into a smooth liquid before mixing with the tea.
Can I sweeten this strawberry iced tea?
The original recipe has no added sugar, and ripe summer strawberries give it enough natural sweetness. If you want it sweeter, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey or simple syrup while the tea is still warm so it dissolves fully. Taste before adding, because once you chill it, the sweetness dulls slightly.
