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This DIY Cherry Pie Iced Tea turns plain black tea into an amazing summer drink that tastes exactly like drinking cherry pie. The magic comes from a homemade cherry mix that adds sweet cherry flavor with vanilla hints that remind you of buttery crust.
I came up with this drink last year when my cherry tree went crazy and I needed something cool for a family cookout. It was such a success that now the folks next door always ask me to bring some whenever we get together in the summer.
- Frozen pitted cherries swap in seasonal fresh ones for brighter taste if you want
- Granulated sugar forms the base of your syrup and cuts through cherry tartness
- Water creates just the right thickness for your syrup
- Salt just a tiny bit boosts everything without any salty taste
- Lemon juice makes the cherry pop and adds a bit of zing
- Vanilla extract brings cozy notes that work great with cherry
- Butter extract gives that pie crust feeling without actual butter
- Cake batter extract you can skip it but it adds a nice bakery touch
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea makes the perfect foundation without extra sugar
- Fresh cherries for garnish makes your drink look totally picture-perfect
Tasty Cherry Pie Iced Tea Steps
- Make The Cherry Mix:
- Put your frozen cherries, sugar, water, and salt together in a pot over medium heat. While it warms up, smash the cherries using a potato masher or fork to get all their juice out. Let everything bubble gently for about 10 minutes until it gets a bit thick. The cherries should be totally broken up and the liquid should stick to your spoon when you pull it out.
- Filter Your Mixture:
- Set a fine strainer over a bowl that can handle heat. Pour your cherry stuff into it and push down hard with the back of a spoon to squeeze out every bit of syrup possible. Don't rush this part - you want to get all that yummy cherry goodness.
- Add Extra Tastes:
- Throw away the cherry bits or save them for topping yogurt later. While your syrup's still warm, mix in the lemon juice, vanilla, butter extract, and cake batter extract if you're using it. The warmth helps everything blend together really well. Let it cool all the way before you use it.
- Mix Your Drink:
- For each glass, put two spoonfuls of cherry pie syrup into a cup of cold black tea. Stir it up good. Take a sip and add more syrup if you want it sweeter. Fill your glasses with ice cubes and pour your flavored tea over them.
- Add Final Touches:
- Put fresh cherries on the edge of your glass or drop them in the drink. For fancy parties, stick cherries on little cocktail picks. Serve right away while it's super cold.
The best thing about serving this tea is watching people's reactions after their first taste. They always look surprised when they realize how much it really does taste like cherry pie. My kid even asks for this instead of actual birthday cake during summer celebrations now.
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Batch Preparation
When you've got friends coming over, just make a big batch. Multiply everything based on how many folks you're serving. For a regular 2quart pitcher, mix 8 cups of tea with 1 cup of syrup to start. Add more syrup bit by bit, tasting as you go until it's just right. Remember that your drink will taste a little less sweet once it's fully chilled with ice.
Fun Twists
This drink idea works great with other fruits too. Try using blueberries or peaches instead of cherries to make different pie flavors in your glass. For an apple pie version, cook diced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg along with your sugar and water. You can also play with different extracts to change up the crust flavor. A bit of almond extract goes really well with cherries if you want something a bit fancier.
Pairing Ideas
This tea goes really well with summer treats like vanilla ice cream or simple butter cookies. It also tastes great with barbecue food since the sweetness balances out the smoky flavors. For parties, pour it in mason jars with cute straws and sprinkle some crushed pie crust on top for the full effect. You could even set up a DIY station where everyone can mix their own by keeping the syrup and tea separate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will the cherry syrup stay fresh?
Keep your homemade cherry syrup in a sealed container in the fridge, and it'll stay good for around two weeks. Want it to last even longer? Freeze it in ice trays and pop out cubes when needed.
- → Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen ones?
Definitely! Fresh cherries are perfect too. Just take out the pits, and you might need to throw in a splash or two of water (1 to 2 tablespoons) since frozen cherries let out more juice naturally.
- → What’s a good substitute for butter extract?
If you don’t have butter extract, go for a tiny amount (¼ teaspoon) of melted butter or just use a bit more vanilla extract. While it won’t be exactly pie-like, it’ll still taste amazing.
- → Can I switch out the black tea for another kind?
Sure thing! Black tea's boldness pairs great with the syrup, but you could try green tea for a milder taste or even juicy herbal teas like hibiscus for extra fruitiness.
- → Is there an easy way to make this without sugar?
Yes, you can replace the regular sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. Just tweak the amount since these are often sweeter than sugar.
- → How can I make this drink boozy?
Turn this into a cocktail by adding 1-2 oz of vodka, bourbon, or rum per serving. For something fizzy, splash in some prosecco or champagne.