Print

Cherry Ginger Iced Tea Recipe

4.2 from 35 reviews

A refreshing and flavorful Cherry Ginger Iced Tea made by steeping black tea with fresh ginger and cherries, offering a perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes. This iced tea is lightly sweetened with honey and served chilled over ice, ideal for a revitalizing summer beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

Tea Base

  • 4 cups Water
  • 2 Black tea bags

Flavor Infusion

  • 1 cup Fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or 1/2 cup cherry juice)
  • 12 tbsp Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

Sweetener

  • 23 tbsp Honey (optional, adjust to taste)

To Serve

  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Steep the Tea: Boil 4 cups of water and steep the 2 black tea bags for 5-7 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool slightly.
  2. Prepare Ingredients: While the tea steeps, peel and slice 1-2 tablespoons of fresh ginger. Pit and halve 1 cup of fresh cherries, or measure 1/2 cup of cherry juice if using juice instead.
  3. Simmer Ginger and Cherries: In a small saucepan, combine the sliced ginger and fresh cherries (or cherry juice) with 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
  4. Strain and Combine: Strain the ginger and cherries from the mixture. Pour the infused liquid into a large pitcher and combine with the brewed tea. Stir well to blend the flavors evenly.
  5. Add Sweetener: While the tea mixture is still warm, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey or to taste, stirring until fully dissolved.
  6. Chill the Tea: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until it is thoroughly chilled, usually about 1-2 hours.
  7. Serve Over Ice: Fill glasses or glass jars with ice cubes and pour the chilled Cherry Ginger Iced Tea over the ice. Enjoy your refreshing drink!

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of honey based on your preferred level of sweetness or omit it for a naturally sweetened tea from cherries.
  • Using fresh cherries adds natural flavor and color, but cherry juice is a convenient alternative.
  • For a stronger ginger flavor, increase the amount of fresh ginger or simmer for a longer time.
  • Tea can be brewed stronger or lighter depending on your taste by adjusting steeping time.
  • Store leftover iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: iced tea, cherry ginger tea, refreshing drink, summer beverage, black tea, honey sweetened tea, homemade iced tea