If there's one thing that belongs in your fridge all summer long, it's a pitcher of homemade raspberry iced tea. It's fresh, fruity, and perfectly refreshing with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Made with fresh or frozen raspberries, this easy iced tea recipe comes together with simple ingredients and delivers big flavor in every sip.
Whether you're hosting a backyard cook-out or just need something cold to sip on the porch, this raspberry iced tea is a go-to favorite that never disappoints.
When I am hosting a lunch or dinner in the warmer months and want something a little more special for everyone to sip on, I make this raspberry iced tea. It's one of those simple recipes that feels just a little elevated. It's nothing fancy, just good ingredients with a little extra care. The bright fruity flavor adds a touch of pizzaz that an an ordinary glass of iced tea just doesn't have.
I love that you can make it with fresh or frozen raspberries, so it's easy to pull together anytime. It comes together rather quickly, can be made ahead, and chills beautifully in the fridge until you're ready to serve. It also has a naturally sweet flavor, so if you want to drink it without sugar, it makes a great low calorie drink!
I hope you love it as much as we do. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make homemade raspberry iced tea.
- black tea- I recommend Luzianne tea for that classic Southern tea flavor, but any brand will work. You can use regular or decaffeinated black tea.
- sugar- Add sugar if you prefer a classic sweet tea. If you prefer it unsweetened, simply leave out the sugar, as the raspberries add a natural sweetness on their own. You can swap out sugar with honey.
- raspberries- Both frozen raspberries and fresh raspberries work beautifully in this recipe, making it easy to enjoy any time of the year.
Steps
Follow these simple steps to make homemade raspberry iced tea.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, add sugar and stir until completely dissolved. (Skip the sugar if making unsweetened raspberry iced tea).
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep 15 minutes for strong tea flavor or 10 minutes for a lighter tea flavor.
- Meanwhile, add 6 cups of water and raspberries to a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 additional minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the raspberries to steep for another 5 minutes.
- Strain the raspberry mixture through a cheesecloth or strainer discarding the solid pieces.
- Remove the tea bags and combine the brewed tea with the raspberry liquid. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Watch how to make
Ice tip
Do not add ice directly to the pitcher of tea. Instead, fill a glass with ice, then pour the tea over it when serving. This helps prevent the raspberry iced tea from becoming diluted and watered down.
What tea is best for raspberry iced tea?
Black tea is best for raspberry iced tea. It gives you that classic, smooth flavor that holds up to the tart, bright raspberries without getting lost.
I like to use Luzianne because it is made for iced tea. It brews up clear, not cloudy, and has that balanced flavor that just works. However, any brand of black tea will do a great job. You can also use decaffeinated black tea if you prefer.
While green or herbal teas will work for this recipe, they will give you a lighter flavor and won't offer that traditional iced tea taste.
Can you use raspberry iced tea for cocktails?
Raspberry iced tea makes a tasty base for easy, refreshing cocktails. Its fruity flavor pairs well with vodka, bourbon, and rum. You can also add a splash of it to champagne or Prosseco for a raspberry iced tea mimosa.
How long does raspberry iced tea last?
Raspberry iced tea will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight pitcher.
When you make this raspberry tea, tell me what you think in the comment section! I would love to hear back! My readers will too.
Also post your picture of your raspberry tea on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale and use #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Raspberry Iced Tea (Refreshing & Easy)
Ingredients
- 2 black tea bags (family sized)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 12 ounces raspberries fresh or frozen
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, add ¾ cup sugar and stir until completely dissolved. (Skip the sugar if making unsweetened raspberry iced tea).
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the 2 black tea bags (family sized). Steep 15 minutes for strong tea flavor or 10 minutes for a lighter tea flavor.
- Meanwhile, add 6 cups water and 12 ounces raspberries to a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 additional minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the raspberries to steep for another 5 minutes.
- Strain the raspberry mixture through a cheesecloth or strainer discarding the solid pieces.
- Remove the tea bags and combine the brewed tea with the raspberry liquid. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- If you prefer it unsweetened, simply leave out the sugar, as the raspberries add a natural sweetness on their own.
- Do not add ice directly to the pitcher of tea. Instead, fill a glass with ice, then pour the tea over it when serving. This helps prevent the raspberry iced tea from becoming diluted and watered down.
Tammy says
A perfectly refreshing summer drink...we will definitely be making all season!
Catalina says
Tried this recipe today and loved how easy it was. Light, fruity, and much better than store-bought iced tea!
Ben says
I can't think of a tastier, more refreshing summer drink than this one. It's perfect.
Terri says
YUM! I have some raspberry bushes that just started fruiting last season, so I can wait to make this with them.
Giangi Townsend says
Looks so refreshing. I need to grab some raspberries later.