Description
A refreshing and flavorful Cherry Pie Iced Tea that combines black tea with cherry juice, fresh cherries, and a hint of almond extract for a unique pie-like taste. Perfect for a cool, fruity summer beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cups boiling water
Cherry Mixture
- 1 cup cherry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2–3 tbsp honey or sugar (optional, to taste)
Additional Flavorings
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 2 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Mint leaves or lemon slices (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Steep the black tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
- Simmer Cherries: In a small saucepan, simmer the pitted cherries with honey or sugar (if using) for 5 to 7 minutes until the cherries are slightly broken down and syrupy.
- Blend and Strain: Blend the cherry mixture until smooth, then strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any solids, creating a smooth cherry syrup.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix together the cooled tea, cherry juice, strained cherry syrup, lemon juice, and almond extract. Stir thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Chill: Add 2 cups of cold water to the pitcher and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the tea to cool completely.
- Serve: Serve the iced tea over ice cubes. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or lemon slices if desired for a refreshing presentation.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or sugar according to taste.
- Use fresh or frozen cherries based on availability; frozen cherries work well and add a deep flavor.
- The almond extract is crucial for that distinctive cherry pie flavor but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the tea.
- For a stronger cherry flavor, increase the cherry juice amount slightly.
- Store the iced tea in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best freshness.
