This strawberry tea recipe has two cozy options: a gentle green tea blend and a richer black tea blend. Both are made with dried strawberries, herbs, and loose-leaf tea, and they steep in just 10 minutes before serving hot or poured over ice.
The green tea version is lighter and more delicate, while the black tea blend has more body and depth. Both work beautifully for a quiet afternoon at home, for serving at a spring gathering, or for gifting in small jars with brewing instructions tucked inside.
If you love homemade tea blends, you might also enjoy Cherry Hibiscus Tea Blend and Honey Lavender London Fog Latte.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Strawberry Garden Glow (Green Tea Version)
Strawberry Cottage Bloom (Black Tea Version)
Variations & Add-Ins
Recipe Tips
Chop dried strawberries finely – Small pieces infuse more evenly and release more flavor during the short 10-minute steep. Large chunks won’t have time to fully infuse.
Use correct water temperature for each tea – Green tea needs 175 to 185°F to prevent bitterness, while black tea needs a full boil for proper extraction. Temperature matters for clean flavor.
Steep for exactly 10 minutes – This timing extracts full flavor without bitterness. Longer steeps can make green tea harsh and black tea astringent.
Strain thoroughly without forcing – Press gently to extract liquid, but don’t force solids through the strainer. This keeps the tea clear and prevents cloudiness.
Dilute to taste when serving iced – The concentrate can be adjusted based on preference. Start with equal parts concentrate and cold water or ice, then adjust.
Sweeten after steeping, not during – Add honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup after brewing so you can adjust sweetness to taste without affecting the tea extraction.
Store concentrate separately – If making ahead, store the strained concentrate without dilution. This keeps it stronger in the fridge and lets you adjust strength when serving.
Double fresh strawberries if using – Fresh strawberries are less concentrated than dried. Use twice the amount and chop them well for proper infusion during the short steep.
Instructions
- Chop the dried strawberries – Finely chop the dried strawberries into small pieces so they infuse evenly during the short steep time.
- Mix the dry ingredients – Add all dried ingredients to a mixing bowl: hibiscus, rose hips, chopped strawberries, and green tea (or chamomile, strawberries, rose hips, and black tea for the black version). Stir well with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed.
- Add dry blend to glass teapot – Transfer the mixed dry ingredients to a large glass tea kettle or heatproof pitcher.
- Pour hot water over the blend (Green Tea Version) – Bring water to 175 to 185°F (just below boiling) and pour over the dry ingredients. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
- Pour hot water over the blend (Black Tea Version) – Bring water to a full boil and pour over the dry ingredients. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve hot – Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently to extract liquid. Pour into two tea cups and serve warm.
- Serve over ice (optional) – For iced tea, strain the hot concentrate and add equal parts cold water or ice. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve immediately.
- Store dry blend in glass canisters – If making the dry blend ahead, store the mixed dry ingredients in airtight glass canisters away from light and moisture. Label with brewing instructions and use within 3 to 6 months.
Gifting These Strawberry Tea Blends
Freezing & Storage
- Store dry blend in airtight containers – Keep the mixed dry ingredients in an airtight glass jar or tin away from light, heat, and moisture. The blend stays fresh for 3 to 6 months when properly sealed.
- Label with date and instructions – Mark the container with the blend date and brewing instructions. This helps track freshness and makes it straightforward to brew correctly later.
- Refrigerate brewed tea – Store brewed strawberry tea in a sealed jar or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best flavor, store without ice and add ice only when serving.
- Freezing is not recommended – Freezing brewed tea dulls the strawberry flavor and can make the tea taste flat or slightly astringent when thawed.
- Reheat gently if needed – Reheat on the stovetop over low heat until just steaming. Avoid boiling, which can damage both the tea and fruit notes. Taste after warming and adjust the sweetness if needed.
FAQ
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More Drink Recipes from the Cottage
Strawberry Garden Glow; Green tea Version
Equipment
- 1 Tea kettle
- 1 Fine mesh strainer or infuser
- 1 Glass pitcher or mason jar
- 1 Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried hibiscus petals 28g
- 1 cup dried rose hips 56g
- ¾ cup finely chopped dried strawberries 48g
- 1 cup loose leaf green tea 28g
- 8 cups boiled water 64 oz
- 8 cups cold water or ice 64 oz, for dilution
Instructions
Full Gallon Batch
- Chop and combine ingredients – Finely chop the dried strawberries and add all dried ingredients (28 grams hibiscus, 56 grams rose hips, 48 grams strawberries, 28 grams green tea) to a large heatproof pitcher. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Heat water – Bring 1,890 grams (about 8 cups) of water to 175 to 185°F, just below a full boil, to protect the green tea from bitterness.
- Steep briefly – Pour the hot water over the mixture, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain thoroughly – Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently to extract liquid without forcing solids through.
- Dilute if iced – Add 1,890 grams (about 8 cups) of cold water or ice to the strained concentrate if serving iced, adjusting to taste.
- Serve or chill – Serve warm right away or refrigerate until fully chilled before serving over ice.
4-Cup Teapot Batch
- Measure ingredients – about ¼ cup of pre-mixed dry blend.
- Heat water – Bring 2 cups (470 grams) of water to 175 to 185°F.
- Steep in teapot – Add the dry ingredients to your teapot, pour hot water over, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve – Strain into cups. Serve hot as-is, or pour over ice in glasses with an additional 2 cups of cold water for iced tea.
Single Cup
- Step 1: Measure ingredients – Use about 1/2-1 tablespoon of the mixed dry blend.
- Step 2: Heat water – Bring ½ cup (120 grams) of water to 175 to 185°F.
- Step 3: Steep – Place dry ingredients in a tea infuser or directly in the cup, pour hot water over, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Strain and serve – Remove infuser or strain. Serve hot as-is, or add ½ cup cold water or ice for a single iced tea serving.
Notes
- This recipe makes one full gallon (128 oz) of tea using 8 cups of hot water to steep and 8 cups of cold water or ice to dilute and chill. You can also make a smaller 4-cup teapot batch using ¼ cup of the dry blend and a single cup using 1/2-1 tablespoon of dry ingredients per 8 oz. of water.
- *PLEASE NOTE* Green tea is more delicate than black tea—be sure your water isn’t too hot (175–185°F is best) to avoid bitterness.
- Four large black tea bags can be used in place of loose-leaf tea.
Nutrition
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Strawberry Cottage Bloom; Black Tea Version
Equipment
- 1 Tea kettle For boiling water
- 1 Fine mesh strainer or infuser To steep and strain the tea and herbs
- 1 Glass pitcher or mason jar For brewing and storing the tea blend
- 1 Measuring bowl To mix the dry ingredients evenly
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chamomile flowers 21g
- ¾ cup finely chopped dried strawberries 48g
- ¾ cup dried rose hips 56g
- 1 cup loose leaf Earl Grey tea or 4 large tea bags 28g
- 8 cups boiled water 64 oz
- 8 cups cold water or ice 64 oz, for dilution
Instructions
Full Gallon Batch
- Combine ingredients – Add all dried ingredients (21 grams chamomile, 48 grams chopped dried strawberries, 56 grams rose hips, 28 grams black tea) to a large heatproof pitcher. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Boil water – Bring 1,890 grams (about 8 cups) of water to a full boil, which allows the black tea to extract fully without tasting thin.
- Steep briefly – Pour the boiling water over the mixture, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain thoroughly – Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently to extract liquid while keeping the tea clear.
- Dilute if iced – Add 1,890 grams (about 8 cups) of cold water or ice to the strained concentrate if serving iced, adjusting to taste.
- Serve or chill – Serve warm right away or refrigerate until fully chilled before serving over ice.
4-Cup Teapot Batch
- Measure ingredients – Use about 5 grams chamomile, 12 grams chopped dried strawberries, 14 grams rose hips, and 7 grams black tea (or about ¼ cup of pre-mixed dry blend).
- Boil water – Bring 2 cups (470 grams) of water to a full boil.
- Steep in teapot – Add the dry ingredients to your teapot, pour boiling water over, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve – Strain into cups. Serve hot as-is, or pour over ice in glasses with an additional 2 cups of cold water for iced tea.
Single Cup
- Measure ingredients – Use about 1 tablespoon of the mixed dry blend (approximately 1.5 grams chamomile, 3 grams strawberries, 3.5 grams rose hips, 2 grams black tea).
- Boil water – Bring ½ cup (120 grams) of water to a full boil.
- Steep – Place dry ingredients in a tea infuser or directly in the cup, pour boiling water over, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve – Remove infuser or strain. Serve hot as-is, or add ½ cup cold water or ice for a single iced tea serving.
Notes
- This recipe makes one full gallon (128 oz) of tea using 8 cups of hot water to steep and 8 cups of cold water or ice to dilute and chill. You can also make a smaller 4-cup teapot batch using ¼ cup of the dry blend, and a single cup following recipe card instructions above.
- Use correct water temperature for each tea – Green tea needs 175 to 185°F to prevent bitterness, while black tea needs a full boil for proper extraction. Temperature matters for clean flavor.
- Steep for exactly 10 minutes – This timing extracts full flavor without bitterness. Longer steeps can make green tea harsh and black tea astringent.
Nutrition
Emily Rider
Home miller since 1999 with fresh-milled flour & sourdough experience. Sharing from-scratch recipes and traditional kitchen skills, rooted in the seasons and inspired by everyday cottage living and seasonal rhythms.
