Ingredients
- Water: 6 cups
- Black tea bags: 4
- Fresh cherries, pitted and halved: 1 cup
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (or to taste)
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh mint sprigs: for garnish
- Ice cubes: as needed
- Cherry simple syrup: 2 tablespoons (optional, for extra cherry flavor)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and discard.
- Step 2: Add the sugar and lemon juice to the hot tea and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Step 3: In a blender or food processor, puree the halved cherries with the remaining 3 cups of water. Strain the cherry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids, and discard the solids.
- Step 4: Combine the strained cherry juice with the brewed tea. If using cherry simple syrup, add it now and stir well.
- Step 5: Refrigerate the cherry iced tea for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled.
- Step 6: Serve the cherry iced tea over ice, garnished with fresh mint sprigs.
Notes
- Store leftover cherry iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but expect the flavor to mellow slightly over time.
- Reheating isn't recommended; if the tea is too cold, let it sit at room temperature for a short period before serving.
- Serve your cherry iced tea in tall glasses with plenty of ice and a festive cherry or lemon slice on the rim.
- For a richer cherry flavor and deeper red color, muddle a few cherries with the sugar before adding the hot tea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American