If you love a refreshing drink that’s bursting with nostalgic dessert flavors, you’re going to adore this Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe. It perfectly balances the sweet tartness of cherries with the deep notes of black tea and hints of warm vanilla and buttery cake batter, creating a drink that’s both comforting and invigorating. Imagine sipping on this chilled concoction during a sunny afternoon or unwinding with it after a long day—it’s like having a slice of cherry pie in a glass, but way lighter and perfectly quenching.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, whether it’s building flavor depth, adding subtle sweetness, or contributing to the vibrant color that makes this tea so inviting.
- 1 cup frozen pitted cherries: These bring that classic bright cherry flavor and a beautiful natural color to your tea.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cherry syrup and balances the tartness perfectly.
- 1/4 cup water: Helps in melting sugar and softening cherries for that luscious syrup base.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the flavors, keeping the sweetness from feeling one-dimensional.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Adds a fresh zesty kick that brightens the overall taste.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warm, cozy aromatics reminiscent of baked cherry pie.
- 1 teaspoon butter extract: Infuses a rich, buttery note that mimics the crust of your favorite dessert.
- 1/2 teaspoon cake batter extract (optional): Adds a hint of sweet bakery charm to elevate the flavor complexity.
- 2 cups Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea: The perfect robust tea base that allows the cherry syrup to shine without extra sugar.
- 4 tablespoons cherry pie syrup: The star syrup made from your cooked cherries that transforms the iced tea into a dessert-inspired delight.
- Fresh cherries for garnish: A simple, elegant finishing touch that enhances presentation and flavor.
How to Make Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
Step 1: Make the Cherry Syrup
Begin by combining the frozen pitted cherries, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium and gently mash the cherries as they soften. This releases their juices and starts the magic of creating a naturally vibrant syrup. Stir frequently to prevent sticking, and keep cooking until the liquid thickens slightly—don’t worry if it’s not fully syrupy yet, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 2: Strain the Syrup
Once the mixture has thickened, pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Press the cherries firmly to extract every bit of juicy goodness while discarding the solids. This step ensures your iced tea will have a smooth, luxurious texture without any pulp, enhancing the drinking experience.
Step 3: Add Flavor Enhancers
While the syrup is still warm, stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and, if you’re using it, the cake batter extract. These extracts elevate your cherry pie syrup to an extraordinary level, delivering layers of flavor that mimic the nostalgic warmth of a freshly baked pie. Allow the syrup to cool completely before mixing into your tea to preserve those fresh vibrant notes.
Step 4: Combine with Black Tea
In a glass or small pitcher, mix four tablespoons of your homemade cherry pie syrup with two cups of chilled Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea. This blend balances the rich cherry syrup with the boldness of black tea, creating a wonderfully refreshing flavor harmony that’s anything but ordinary.
Step 5: Serve Over Ice and Garnish
Pour your Cherry Pie Iced Tea into glasses filled generously with ice. Top it off with fresh cherries to elevate both the look and the flavor, making your drink as charming to the eyes as it is delightful to the palate.
How to Serve Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cherries are the go-to garnish and for great reason—they echo the star ingredient and add a pop of color. Consider adding a sprig of mint for fresh herbal notes or a thin lemon slice to boost brightness and visual appeal. These small touches make the drink feel even more special and inviting.
Side Dishes
This Cherry Pie Iced Tea pairs beautifully with light, summery treats. Serve alongside buttery shortbread cookies, vanilla pound cake, or delicate fruit tarts for a complete dessert-inspired experience. It also complements savory snacks like cheese platters or grilled chicken sandwiches for a balanced flavor contrast that’s sure to satisfy.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elevated presentation, serve the tea in mason jars or vintage glasses to channel charming rustic vibes. Layer the drink with a splash of sparkling water for effervescence and garnish the rim with colored sugar for extra flair. You could even turn this recipe into a vibrant mocktail by adding a splash of sparkling cherry soda right before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover cherry pie syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Keep your iced tea mixture refrigerated as well if made in advance, but it’s best to add ice just before serving to prevent dilution and keep it delightfully cold.
Freezing
The cherry pie syrup freezes beautifully if you want to save it for later. Use a freezer-safe container and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use. Freezing the whole iced tea is not recommended, as the texture and flavor of the tea may change.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy the syrup warm, gently reheat it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remember not to boil, just warm enough to loosen up and bring back the lovely aromas. For iced tea, serve chilled or over ice to get the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries work wonderfully and may even provide a fresher, brighter flavor. You’ll want to pit them and measure an equivalent amount to replace the frozen cherries in the recipe.
Is it possible to make this recipe sugar-free?
You can experiment with sugar substitutes like stevia or erythritol, but this will slightly alter the syrup’s texture and sweetness level. Start with small amounts and adjust according to your taste preferences.
Can I use a different type of tea?
Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea is ideal for its boldness, but feel free to try green tea or even herbal tea blends if you prefer a lighter or different base. Just keep in mind it will change the overall flavor profile.
What is cake batter extract, and is it necessary?
Cake batter extract adds a sweet, nostalgic note reminiscent of freshly baked cake. It’s optional but recommended if you want to capture the full cherry pie vibe. If you can’t find it, vanilla and butter extracts will still give great flavor.
Can I use this cherry pie syrup for other drinks or desserts?
Definitely! This syrup is versatile—it can enhance cocktails, drizzle over ice cream, or be stirred into sparkling water for a quick cherry soda. It’s a fun little secret weapon to keep on hand.
Final Thoughts
Making this Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe is like giving yourself a little moment of pure joy that refreshes and delights all at once. It’s straightforward to craft, yet packed with the nostalgic flavors of homemade cherry pie that are sure to brighten your day. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot afternoon or looking for a crowd-pleasing beverage, this recipe is one you’ll want to keep around and share with friends. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed iced tea without it.
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Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cherry Pie Iced Tea is a refreshing and uniquely flavored beverage that combines homemade cherry syrup with unsweetened black tea. Infused with vanilla, butter, and optional cake batter extracts, this iced tea offers a sweet and aromatic experience perfect for warm days or whenever you crave a fruity twist on classic iced tea.
Ingredients
Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon butter extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cake batter extract (optional)
Beverage Ingredients
- 2 cups Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea
- 4 tablespoons cherry pie syrup (prepared)
- Fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the frozen pitted cherries, granulated sugar, water, and a pinch of salt to begin creating the cherry syrup base.
- Heat and Mash: Heat the mixture over medium heat, mashing the cherries gently as they start to break down to release their juices and flavors.
- Thicken Syrup: Continue cooking until the liquid thickens slightly but is not yet syrupy, as it will thicken more once cooled.
- Strain Syrup: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the cherries to extract every drop of juice, then discard the solids to get a smooth syrup.
- Add Flavors: While the syrup is still warm, stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and optionally the cake batter extract, then allow the syrup to cool completely.
- Mix Beverage: In a glass or pitcher, combine four tablespoons of the prepared cherry pie syrup with two cups of cold unsweetened black tea and stir well.
- Serve: Pour over ice and garnish with fresh cherries for an attractive and refreshing presentation ready to enjoy.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar or syrup quantity added to the tea.
- The cake batter extract is optional but adds an extra layer of nostalgic flavor reminiscent of baked goods.
- Syrup can be stored refrigerated for up to one week to make iced tea quickly when desired.
- For a sparkling version, mix the syrup with chilled sparkling water instead of tea.
- Use unsweetened tea to control the overall sweetness of the drink.
