Refreshing Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea Punch Recipe

Introduction to Southern Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is a beloved staple of Southern hospitality, often enjoyed during warm summer gatherings. This quintessential drink not only quenches your thirst but also brings to mind endless sunsets, backyard barbecues, and joyful reunions with friends and family.

Our Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea Punch combines homemade sweet tea, flavorful strawberry syrup, and a splash of lemonade, making it the perfect refreshing drink for summer. Here’s a quick overview:

• A vibrant Southern punch that blends homemade sweet tea, fresh strawberries, and lemon for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink. Perfect for gatherings and summer afternoons!

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  🕒 Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Chill Time: 1 hour

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Servings: 8–10 cups

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  🧂 Ingredients

  For the Sweet Tea

  • 6 cups (1.4 L) water, divided

  • 6 black tea bags (Luzianne or Lipton recommended)

  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar

  For the Strawberry Syrup

  • 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

  • ½ cup (100g) sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  For the Punch

  • 4 cups (950ml) sweet tea (cooled)

  • 1 cup (240ml) cold water

  • 1 cup (240ml) lemonade or lemon juice (fresh preferred)

  • Ice cubes

  • Lemon slices and mint for garnish

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  🔪 Directions

  1. Brew the Sweet Tea
     Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
     Remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 10–15 minutes.
     Remove tea bags, stir in sugar, and add 2 cups of cold water.
     Let cool.

  2. Make the Strawberry Syrup
     In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
     Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries release their juices and become syrupy.
     Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove solids. Let cool.

  3. Combine Everything
     In a large pitcher, mix sweet tea, strawberry syrup, and lemonade.
     Stir well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

  4. Serve
     Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices, fresh mint, and a few strawberry slices.

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  💡 Pro Tips

  • Add a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale before serving for extra fizz.

  • For stronger flavor, muddle a few strawberries and mint leaves in each glass.

  • Can be made a day ahead — just store covered in the fridge.