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Easy Strawberry Iced Tea

Fruity, sweet and refreshing, this Strawberry Iced Tea is a beverage you’ll be enjoying all summer long. It’s perfect for those hot days when you just need something cold to drink.

Two glasses of strawberry iced tea with a basket of strawberries next to them on a white table.

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What is Strawberry Iced Tea made of?

With just a few ingredients, you’ll be enjoying this strawberry iced tea recipe in no time.

  • Unsweetened Brewed Iced Tea – Use unsweetened tea because the simple syrup will add sweetener. You can always add more sugar if you need to.
  • Strawberry Simple Syrup – It’s an easy recipe that you can use in lots of ways.
  • Ice
  • Strawberries – for garnish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to love strawberry iced tea. The first is it’s super easy to make, especially if you keep brewed iced tea in your refrigerator.

You can make it by the glass or by the pitcher. If making it by the glass, each person can adjust the flavor to their liking by adding more or less strawberry simple syrup.

It’s refreshing on a hot summer day.

It makes a nice offering on a backyard party beverage table as does my Raspberry Sun Tea that’s made a little differently. More beverages to consider for a beverage table are Thai Iced Tea and Sparkling Hibiscus Iced Tea.

Two glasses of iced tea on a counter with a blue ceramic basket of strawberries next to them.

What can I serve with Strawberry Sweet Tea?

It’s the perfect libation to serve with Southern egg salad or hot Colby ham sandwiches.

It’s also ideal to serve with any grilled recipes such as grilled barbecue ranch burgers or Greek lamb kebobs.

Two glasses of iced tea with a basket of strawberries next to them.

How do you brew iced tea?

Brewing tea is super simple. Brew tea bags according to the package directions. I like a gallon of water for 10 regular-sized tea bags. I use black tea for homebrewed iced tea. While you can use green tea bags, I prefer black tea bags for this recipe.

Bring the water to a rolling boil then remove from heat. Add tea bags and allow to steep for a minimum of four hours, longer if you like it stronger. The longer you steep the tea bags the stronger the tea will be.

Once you have steeped the tea, remove the tea bags and transfer the tea to containers. Refrigerate the tea until ready to make and serve the strawberry iced tea.

Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a 5-star review on the recipe card below.

Two glasses of iced tea garnished with strawberries next to a blue berry basket full of strawberries on a white table.
Print Recipe

Strawberry Iced Tea

Refreshing and fruity, strawberry iced tea combines the tangy sweetness of strawberries with the coolness of chilled tea.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Course: Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: iced tea, strawberries
Servings: 16
Author: Ellen Folkman

Ingredients

  • gallon brewed black tea
  • ¼ to ½ cup strawberry simple syrup
  • Strawberries for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pitcher combine the brewed black tea and ¼ cup strawberry simple syrup. Stir to combine well. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.

Strawberry Simple Syrup

Made with fresh fruit, this Strawberry Simple Syrup recipe is perfect for cocktails but is also a great addition to lemonade and iced tea.

Pin Strawberry Simple Syrup to make later.

Strawberry Simple Syrup in a clear carafe next to a basket of strawberries

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a simple sweetener recipe that combines equal parts granulated sugar and water. It is boiled to dissolve the sugar and then stored in the refrigerator for a variety of uses.

What Ingredients do I need to make a Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe?

Three ingredients are all you need for this super easy recipe. 

  • Fresh Strawberries
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Water
Strawberry simple syrup in a jar next to a basket of strawberries.

How do you make Strawberry Syrup?

Making this strawberry simple syrup recipe couldn’t be easier. You combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir them to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil and stir so the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat off once the sugar has melted. Allow the simple syrup mixture to cool before removing the strawberries and straining the liquid.

How Can I use Strawberry Simple Syrup?

For beverages, you can use it in lemonade or strawberry iced tea. Both are perfect to cool off on a hot summer day and travel well if heading to the beach.

You can also use strawberry simple syrup in a variety of cocktails including a strawberry margarita on the rocks, a strawberry prosecco cocktail, or a spritzer.

Another great way to use a flavored simple syrup, though not drink-related, is to brush on cake layers to keep them from drying out. You do this before adding the frosting. Try it on a yellow cake with strawberry buttercream.

Strawberry simple syrup in a small carafe next to a basket of strawberries.

What is the point of simple syrup?

As I mentioned above, there are many ways to use simple syrups, especially if you make a variety of flavors. 

But the real point of simple syrup is that it disperses the sweetener evenly throughout the beverage. Any beverage, hot or cold, but especially cold because sugar doesn’t dissolve as easily in cold temperatures.

Because of this easy dispersion, it’s perfect for all sorts of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. It’s super easy to make, as you can see, with just 2 ingredients plus an additional flavor, like the strawberry here.

You can also drizzle strawberry simple syrup over desserts such as strawberry shortcakes.

What makes homemade simple syrup different than store-bought liquid sweeteners?

Homemade simple syrup is made with real granulated white sugar. The store-bought versions are usually made with sugar substitutes which can alter the flavor of your beverage.

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How do you store simple syrup?

This strawberry simple syrup needs to be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Mason jars are a good choice.

How long will simple syrup keep?

Plain simple syrup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. Flavored simple syrup such as this strawberry flavor will keep, again in an airtight container in the fridge, for 1 to 2 weeks.

Strawberry simple syrup in a small carafe next to a basket of strawberries.
Print Recipe

Strawberry Simple Syrup

Strawberry Simple Syrup can be used in many different ways.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: flavored simple syrup
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Ellen Folkman

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1½ cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and sliced strawberries. Bring mixture to a boil and gently stir to dissolve the sugar. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer and allow to cook for 8 – 10 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove strawberries from the liquid. Discard the strawberries. Strain the liquid into a glass jar with a lid. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Recipe Notes

Use this fresh strawberry simple syrup within two weeks.

The Best Candy Corn Martini

This festive Candy Corn Martini is the perfect signature drink for a Halloween party. But it’s so delicious you’ll want to make it all season long.

Pin Candy Corn Martini to make later.

A candy corn martini on a yellow table cloth with candy around it.

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What ingredients do I need to make a Candy Corn Martini?

This fancy vodka cocktail is a fun adult beverage when Halloween rolls around. Make up a batch of the vodka and keep it on hand for the month of October.

    • Candy Corn Infused Vodka – Easily make your own to have on hand for other fun drinks.
    • Pineapple Juice – I like to keep the smaller 6-ounce cans on hand so there’s not so much waste.
    • Heavy Cream – Sometimes also called heavy whipping cream.
    • Candy Corn Nonpareils – The candy corn nonpareils are orange, yellow, and white. You can also use a Halloween mix if you prefer.
    • Corn Syrup – It’s really the best option to make the nonpareils stick to the martini glass.

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Nonpareils are similar to sprinkles except they are tiny round balls.

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What does candy corn taste like?

Candy corn has creamy vanilla and marshmallow flavors with a fondant-like texture. It’s a candy you either like or dislike. There is no in-between.

What type of glass do you use to make martinis?

A martini glass. They can be long-stemmed or short but the classic V shape allows more exposure to the air allowing the vodka to open up.

A true martini glass, as opposed to a coupe or rocks glass, is the better choice.

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Two glasses with orange liquid topped with cream and candy corn on table with a fall setting behind them.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Candy corn vodka is very easy to make.
  • It’s a fun and festive drink for Halloween.
  • You’re sure to impress your guests. Especially on National Candy Corn Day which is October 30 each year.
  • It looks fun.
  • The taste is a combination of creamy and sweet.

How far in advance should I make the candy corn vodka?

Candy corn vodka takes a few hours to infuse. While it’s totally possible to make it the day you plan to serve these candy corn martinis, it’s also just as easily made in advance.

Candy corn in a clear jar with a clear liquid over it.

What appetizers can I serve with a Halloween Candy Corn Martini?

This martini is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. Enjoy one of these appetizers with this fun Halloween cocktail with vodka.

A candy corn martini on a yellow table cloth.
Print Recipe

Candy Corn Martini

A festive candy corn martini for Fall or Halloween.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Sprinkle Set Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Vodka Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy corn, fall cocktail, heavy cream, pineapple juice, vodka
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Ellen Folkman

Ingredients

Martini

  • 6 ounces homemade Candy Corn Infused Vodka
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • ¾ cup heavy cream

Garnish:

  • Sprinkles or nonpareils for the rim
  • 2 -3 Tabelspoons corn syrup

Instructions

  • To rim the glass with nonpareils: Put the corn syrup on a shallow plate. On a separate shallow plate, place the nonpareils. Dip the rim of the martini glass into the corn syrup and then into the nonpareils to coat the rim. Gently swirl the glass in the nonpareils to coat the rim.
  • Pour 3 ounces of candy corn vodka into two martini glasses.
  • Evenly divide the pineapple juice between the two glasses. It should be about 6 tablespoons for each glass. If you're trying to layer the cocktail, gently pour the pineapple juice over a spoon.
  • Evenly divide the heavy cream between the two glasses. It should be about 6 tablespoons for each glass. If you're trying to layer the cocktail, gently pour the cream over a spoon. Serve.

Recipe Notes

Alternatively, if you are unsuccessful in layering the drink, you can simply stir the contents together. Or, you can shake the candy corn vodka, pineapple juice, and heavy cream together in a shaker and pour the mixture into two martini glasses if you don’t want to layer the drink.

How to Make Easy Candy Corn Infused Vodka

Candy corn. Either you love it you hate it, there’s no in-between. But if you learn how to make Candy Corn Infused Vodka you can do so many fun things with it. This vodka is a total treat!

Pin Candy Corn Infused Vodka to make later.

Candy corn in a glass jar with clear liquid to make candy corn infused vodka.

Dress up your next Halloween party with cocktails made with candy corn infused vodka. It’s a great way for adults to get in the holiday spirit.

What do I need to make candy corn infused vodka?

Infused vodka flavors continue to be popular and just two ingredients are needed for this fun infused vodka concoction.

  • Vanilla vodka – using flavored vodka cuts some of the sweetness from the candy corn. Use the best you can afford. 
  • Candy Corn – I used Brach’s but you can probably use any brand.
  • Pint Jar – I used a canning jar and it worked perfectly.

Pro Tip: Swirl the jar a few times while the mixture infuses. Do this every few hours. The candy corn will actually dissolve.

A shot glass rimmed with black sugar filled with orange candy corn vodka.

What can I make with candy corn vodka?

Pro Tips and Substitutions

If you don’t have vanilla vodka or can’t find it at your liquor store you can use plain, unflavored vodka, whipped cream, or cake vodka. 

Whipped cream and cake vodkas are sweeter than unflavored or vanilla. Depending on what you want to make, choose your vodka wisely so your cocktail isn’t overly sweet.

Candy corn vodka Twitter image.

Pro Tip: Plan ahead. To make this infused vodka, the candy corn needs to soak a minimum of 4 hours but longer is better.

I actually allowed the candy corn to dissolve completely in the vodka. There were grains from the candy corn in the bottom of the jar so I just strained it out.

This recipe is what I would consider a small batch of candy corn infused vodka. It makes 12 ounces which is good for about 6 drinks if you use 2 ounces per cocktail.

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A couple of notes

Don’t be alarmed when the vodka starts to get cloudy. That’s just the candy corn breaking down. You can see the gorgeous color in the photo with the shot glass.

Speaking of the shot glass, isn’t the black sugar on the rim fun? Dip the rim of the glass in corn syrup then in some black sugar. 

Candy corn in a clear jar with a clear liquid over it.

How can I store candy infused vodka?

You can store this vodka in the refrigerator for up to 4 months but there’s a good chance it won’t last that long. I like making it in small batches so it’s used up quickly.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • It’s so easy to make, just 2 ingredients, a jar, and a few hours.
  • Homemade candy corn vodka makes a great gift.
  • The bright orange color is perfect for Halloween and fall.
Candy corn vodka Pinterest image.
A shot glass rimmed with black sugar filled with orange candy corn vodka.

Candy Corn Vodka

Yield: 12 ounces
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Steeping Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

If you learn how to make candy corn infused vodka you can do so many fun things with it. This vodka is a total treat!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces vanilla vodka
  • ½ cup candy corn

Instructions

  1. In a glass wide mouth pint jar add the candy corn.
  2. Pour in the 12 ounces of vanilla vodka, place the lid, and gently swirl the vodka and candy corn.
  3. Let sit a minimum of 6 hours, swirling the jar often.
  4. Once the candy corn is completely dissolved, gently shake the jar. The vodka is now ready to use.
© Ellen Folkman and The Best Drink Recipes
Cuisine: American / Category: Vodka Cocktails