Raspberry Iced Tea from Scratch

4.63 from 35 votes

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There’s nothing like a refreshingly cold iced tea made with fresh raspberries on a hot summer day. Try this raspberry iced tea recipe that’s perfectly sweet and delicious.

Raspberry iced tea

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Raspberry Iced Tea

Raspberry iced tea is a summer drink made of fresh raspberries, black tea, sugar, and water. The raspberries are used to make a simple syrup, which is then mixed with iced tea.

The sweet tartness of the raspberries balances the earthy flavor of black tea, resulting in a tasty drink.

Naturally bright red from the raspberry syrup, raspberry iced tea is the perfect summertime beverage.

RELATED: Super Easy Cold Brew Iced Tea

Recipe Highlights

  • This easy raspberry iced tea recipe makes 1 quart, or 4 cups, and it’s easy to double the ingredients.
  • It’s made by mixing the perfect ratios of fresh raspberry syrup and iced tea, so you can really taste both.
  • Serve this drink at BBQs and baby showers, or any time you want a delicious and refreshing beverage.

RELATED: Strawberry Iced Tea

Ingredient Notes

Raspberry iced tea ingredients
  • Black tea sachets: Use loose tea or tea sachets of any strong black tea.
  • Filtered water: Your tea will taste better when it’s made with filtered water.
  • Fresh raspberries: One small 12 oz. container is the perfect size for this recipe.
  • Sugar: Use any sweetener you prefer, but I like this with regular sugar.
  • Ice cubes: Make your drink icy cold!

My Black Tea Pick:

Assam Tea

Photo Credit: Harney.com

I use Assam tea anytime a recipe calls for a basic black tea.
BUY ON HARNEY.COM

How To Make Raspberry Iced Tea from Scratch

1. Make tea

Heat filtered water on the stovetop (bring to a simmer) or in an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Filtered water makes for a better tasting tea.

Steep tea and discard tea sachets. Set aside to cool.

Tea Sommelier’s Tip: Black or oolong tea would work great for this raspberry iced tea. I’m using a great basic black tea, Assam tea. English breakfast tea or Earl Grey would also work well.

2. Make raspberry syrup

Heat raspberries, water, and sugar on the stovetop. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher and mash the raspberries.

The raspberries will lose their bright red color and look pale pink the longer it cooks.

RELATED: How to Make Iced Tea

Using a mesh strainer, filter out the raspberry solids and let the raspberry syrup cool.

3. Assemble drink

Combine cooled down raspberry syrup and tea.

I don’t like adding the tea when the syrup is piping hot since it just takes longer for it to cool, so wait until both have cooled down before combining.

Pour raspberry iced tea into cups filled with ice.

RELATED: Frozen Pink Tea Latte

Recipe Notes

Garnish with raspberries.

Add fresh or frozen raspberries to the finished drink. They’ll add extra flavor and make the beverage look visually appealing.

Make the syrup and tea in advance.

You can prepare the raspberry syrup and iced tea ahead of time. Store them, combined or separte, in a pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator.

Use small Weck jars.

I like to serve the drinks in small Weck jars, which double as portioned-out storage containers.

Tea Sommelier’s Tips

  • When making the simple syrup, don’t add more raspberries than needed since it ends up tasting like cough syrup.
  • If you want to use loose tea instead of tea sachets, replace each tea sachet with 1 1/2 teaspoons of tea. So, for this recipe, use 2 tablespoons of loose tea instead of 3 tea sachets.
  • Avoid adding ice until you’re ready to serve the drink, otherwise the ice will melt and water down the tea.
  • A 12 oz. container of raspberries is perfect for this recipe. It’s a little more than 1 cup of raspberries, which leaves you with extras to use as garnish.

Questions You May Have

Is there caffeine in this drink?

Yes, this raspberry iced tea is made with black tea which has caffeine. I used double strength tea in this recipe to have the tea stand out against the raspberries.

Is there sugar in this raspberry iced tea?

Yes, there is sugar in this raspberry iced tea but only 3 tablespoons for 4 servings. The sugar helps to boost the sweetness in the raspberries.

Can I use loose tea instead of tea sachets?

Replace each tea sachet with 1.5 teaspoons of tea. So, for this recipe, use 2 tablespoons of loose tea instead of 3 tea sachets.

What’s the best tea to use for this recipe?

Black tea works the best for this recipe since it is strong enough to pair with the sweet raspberries. is great but you can also use (black tea blend with citrus) or

Raspberry iced tea in jars
4.63 from 35 votes

Raspberry Iced Tea

By: Jee Choe
Refreshing, perfectly sweet iced tea made with fresh raspberries.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients 

Iced Tea

Raspberry Syrup

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries, + extra for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions 

MAKE TEA

  • Boil water.
    Boil 2 cups of filtered water on the stovetop or using an electric kettle with a temperature setting. In an electric kettle, set it to 190°F. On the stovetop, bring water to a simmer, not a full boil. Use filtered water if possible for a better tasting tea.
  • Put tea sachets into a pitcher and add hot water.
  • Steep for 5 minutes.
  • Discard tea sachets and let tea cool.
    Set aside.

MAKE RASPBERRY SYRUP

  • In a saucepan, heat water, sugar, and raspberries.
    Over medium-high heat, let it come to a boil then lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Mash raspberries.
    While simmering, use a wooden spoon or potato masher and mash the raspberries. The raspberries will lose their bright red color and look pale pink.
  • Strain raspberries syrup. Let cool.
    Using a mesh strainer, filter out the raspberry solids and discard. Let the raspberry syrup cool for about 10 minutes.

ASSEMBLE DRINK

  • Combine cooled down raspberry syrup and tea.
  • Pour raspberry iced tea into cups filled with ice.
    Optional: Garnish with a couple of fresh or frozen raspberries.

Notes

  • When making the simple syrup, don’t add more raspberries than needed since it ends up tasting like cough syrup.
  • If you want to use loose tea instead of tea sachets, replace each tea sachet with 1 1/2 teaspoons of tea. So, for this recipe, use 2 tablespoons of loose tea instead of 3 tea sachets.
  • Avoid adding ice until you’re ready to serve the drink, otherwise the ice will melt and water down the tea.
  • A 12 oz. container of raspberries is perfect for this recipe. It’s a little more than 1 cup of raspberries, which leaves you with extras to use as garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 59Carbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 24mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Tried this recipe?Mention @ohhowcivilized or tag #ohhowcivilized!

About Jee Choe

Welcome! I'm a certified Tea Sommelier and a self-proclaimed bubble tea and iced tea master. I'm all about making tea EASY and DELICIOUS.

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13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Amazing!! will never buy store bought again. vibrant color and so tasty without the cloying sweetness. Excited to make the peach next.. and try some of the other exciting recipes on this site. Have just sent over to my daughter – the syrup would be tasty with a cold glass of milk too..

  2. 5 stars
    I’m making mine with blueberries sounds soo yummy
    Isn’t there nutrients in the skin of most fruits why would you discard would it seem less civilized perhaps‽ heck with it I’m keeping it all ! CHEERS

    1. Hi MaryLou, the best way to make raspberry tea without sugar is to cold brew it with some crushed raspberries.

  3. Raspberries are the elite fruit. I mean strawberries are for farmers while raspberries are for world travellers like me. Remember Godiva dark chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream? SO Good!

  4. Hi! I was wondering how different the recipe would be if I only have frozen raspberries 🙁 since we don’t usually have them in our country. But they look so delicious, I would love to try it.

    1. Hi Mandi, it’ll be the same if you use frozen! Use the same amount of frozen raspberries as fresh raspberries. It should be just as delicious!

  5. Can I make the raspberry syrup in advanced and keep it in the fridge for one night to serve next day?

    1. Hi Emma, yes, the raspberrry syrup can be made days in advance since it’ll keep in the fridge without issues for at least a week.

  6. Amazing..This is perfect iced tea in this hot summer, and it looks soo classy & delicious..i will try to make it from your recipe..Thanks for sharing…keep shared your new recipes…!