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This Cherry Pie Iced Tea is a refreshing and flavorful twist on classic iced tea, capturing the essence of cherry pie in a glass. With its vibrant tartness from fresh or frozen cherries, a hint of sweetness, and warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla, this drink tastes like summer in a cup. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, lounging by the pool, or simply craving a cool treat, this iced tea is sure to tantalize your taste buds and keep you refreshed all season long. Let’s brew up something delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Summer in a Glass: A perfect balance of tart, sweet, and spiced flavors reminiscent of cherry pie.
- Refreshing and Hydrating: Great for cooling down on hot days.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness or spice levels to suit your preference.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make it ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cherry Pie Iced Tea:
- 4 cups water (divided: 2 cups for tea, 2 cups for simple syrup)
- 3–4 black tea bags (or 2 tbsp loose-leaf black tea)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted (sweet or tart, depending on preference)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: Fresh mint leaves or lemon slices for garnish
Optional Add-Ins:
- Splash of almond extract for a cherry pie-like aroma
- A pinch of ground nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth
- Bourbon or rum for an adult twist
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brew the Tea
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and steep the tea bags (or loose-leaf tea in a strainer) for 5 minutes.
- Discard the tea bags or strain the tea into a large pitcher.
2. Make the Cherry Simple Syrup
- In the same saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups of water, pitted cherries, sugar, and cinnamon stick.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes, mashing the cherries gently with a spoon to release their juices.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher with the brewed tea, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
