Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe

If you’re looking for the most joyful, nostalgic summer refreshment, you absolutely have to try Cherry Pie Iced Tea. It’s got all the sweet-tart flavor of a homemade cherry pie swirled into an ice-cold, deeply refreshing glass of black tea. Every sip bursts with juicy cherry, a hint of vanilla, the buttery aroma of pie crust, and a gorgeous rosy hue. Whether you serve this at a picnic or just to treat yourself on a hot afternoon, Cherry Pie Iced Tea is certain to make any day feel like a celebration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things delightfully simple, using just a handful of staples to achieve all that classic cherry pie flavor. Each ingredient brings something special to the party, so don’t skip a thing!

• Frozen Pitted Cherries: These give the tea its vibrant flavor, juicy sweetness, and beautiful color—be sure to use good quality frozen cherries for the best taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Just enough to sweeten the syrup and highlight those natural cherry notes.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and extract every bit of cherry goodness.
• Pinch of Salt: An all-important flavor booster that keeps things from tasting one note.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a spark of acidity, brightening the syrup and balancing the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: For that home-baked pie aroma—choose pure vanilla if you can.
• Butter Extract: The secret to capturing the taste of buttery pie crust without any actual butter!
• Cake Batter Extract (optional): Totally optional, but it gives the tea a fun, bakery-like finish (highly recommended if you love desserts).
• Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea: A rich, smooth base that lets the cherry pie syrup sing without overpowering it.
• Fresh Cherries (for garnish): An irresistible finishing touch that makes every glass look as stunning as it tastes.

How to Make Cherry Pie Iced Tea

Step 1: Create the Cherry Pie Syrup

Start by combining the cherries, sugar, water, and that little pinch of salt in a saucepan. Set the heat to medium and stir occasionally as the cherries begin to soften and release their juices. Once the mixture starts bubbling gently, use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to mash the cherries, helping them break down and infuse the syrup with color and flavor. Let it all simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the syrup thickens up slightly. Remember, it will continue to thicken as it cools, so don’t overdo it.

Step 2: Strain and Flavor Your Syrup

After cooking, carefully pour the cherry mixture through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring cup. Gently press the softened cherries with a spoon to extract every last drop of syrup—this is liquid gold! Discard the cherry solids (or save them to top oatmeal or yogurt). While the syrup is still warm, stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and cake batter extract if you’re using it. Give it a taste; it should be sweet, a little tart, and have that unmistakable “pie” aroma.

Step 3: Blend the Cherry Pie Iced Tea

Set the syrup aside to cool completely—it won’t mix into cold tea smoothly if it’s too warm. Once it’s ready, add four tablespoons of the cherry pie syrup to your two cups of Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea. Stir thoroughly to blend. Feel free to adjust the amount of syrup for a sweeter or fruitier flavor. Pour over a tall glass filled with ice and take a moment to appreciate that beautiful, jewel-bright color!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

This is the fun part! Drop a few fresh cherries into each glass and, if you’re feeling fancy, slot a skewer of cherries across the rim. Not only does this make every glass look irresistible, but the extra cherries add a burst of flavor if your tea lingers while you’re chatting or relaxing in the sun.

How to Serve Cherry Pie Iced Tea

Garnishes

Garnishing your Cherry Pie Iced Tea is all about highlighting its luscious, summery vibe. Toss in a handful of fresh cherries, add a lemon wedge for zest, or go extra-cute with a sprig of mint. If you have pretty paper straws or even a mini umbrella, now’s the time—they bring out the playful spirit of this drink.

Side Dishes

This cheerful iced tea pairs beautifully with all sorts of summer foods. Think buttery shortbread cookies, a slice of classic pound cake, or a platter of fresh fruit. It’s also a match made in heaven for picnics featuring savory sandwiches or salty snacks—the sweet-tart tea helps cleanse your palate and keep things refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Cherry Pie Iced Tea makes a fabulous party drink in mason jars, vintage milk bottles, or a classic glass pitcher filled with ice and floating cherries. For brunches, try serving in cocktail glasses with a sugared rim, or make it the star of a DIY iced tea bar with little pitchers of syrup and bowls of cherries so guests can mix their own. It’s as fun to serve as it is to sip!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Cherry Pie Iced Tea—or just want to keep extra syrup on hand—store the syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a week. Just remember to shake or stir the syrup before you add it to fresh tea, as natural fruit fibers might settle a little at the bottom.

Freezing

The cherry pie syrup freezes like a dream for later use! Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze solid, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. When you want a glass of Cherry Pie Iced Tea, just drop a cube or two into a cold glass of tea and stir—it chills and flavors at the same time.

Reheating

If your syrup has thickened too much in the fridge, you can gently reheat it in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or over very low heat on the stovetop. Let it cool before mixing into your tea. Reheating isn’t usually needed, but it helps if you find the syrup has become too dense to pour.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Just pit and roughly chop fresh sweet cherries before cooking. Fresh cherries will give an even more intense color and flavor, especially if they’re at peak ripeness in summer.

What if I can’t find butter or cake batter extract?

No worries! The extracts are what give Cherry Pie Iced Tea its pie crust magic, but if you can’t find them, vanilla alone brings plenty of flavor. If you want extra buttery notes, a tiny drop of melted butter (for richness) or a splash of almond extract for depth will do the trick.

Can I make a big batch for a party?

Definitely! Just double, triple, or quadruple both the syrup and tea amounts as needed. Keep everything chilled until serving, and leave garnishes on the side for guests to add themselves—for a showstopping presentation, serve from a big lemonade dispenser studded with cherries.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! Cherry Pie Iced Tea is alcohol-free, sweet, and full of fun flavor. Kids might even love helping with the syrup, watching it turn that magical pink as it cooks. Just be careful of hot syrup and let adults handle the straining step.

Can I use green tea or another tea base?

Of course! While black tea gives a robust background for all that cherry and pie flavor, you can experiment with green, white, or even caffeine-free herbal teas if you prefer. Each version will have its own unique twist—just keep the syrup ratio the same.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to beat the heartwarming, dessert-first energy of Cherry Pie Iced Tea on a warm day. I hope you’ll stir up a batch and share a glass with someone special (or just treat yourself)! One taste and you’ll see why this is destined to become your new favorite summer tradition.

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