If you are craving a drink that tastes like a nostalgic slice of cherry pie on a sunny afternoon, this Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe is your new best friend. Bursting with the bright, tart flavor of ripe cherries, enriched with hints of vanilla and a touch of buttery sweetness, this iced tea captures the very essence of comfort and summer refreshment in every sip. Whether you want a cool escape or a charming beverage to impress guests, this recipe is wonderfully simple yet decadently delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe is a breeze, and each component plays a starring role in creating layers of flavor. From the frozen cherries that bring fruity brightness to the subtle cake batter extract that adds a surprising depth, these ingredients work together to make something truly special.
- Frozen pitted cherries: These bring the authentic cherry pie taste and a vibrant pop of color.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the mix just right without overpowering the natural fruit flavors.
- Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and soften the cherries as you cook them down.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the sweet and tart notes perfectly.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy contrast that lifts the flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Provides a warm, comforting aroma reminiscent of freshly baked pie.
- Butter extract: Delivers that buttery crust essence in every sip.
- Cake batter extract (optional): An unexpected twist that deepens the dessert-like quality.
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea: The bold tea base balances the sweetness while keeping the drink refreshingly light.
- Cherry pie syrup: The star syrup made from the cooked cherries for maximum cherry flavor intensity.
- Fresh cherries (for garnish): Adds a gorgeous finishing touch that’s as delightful to look at as it is to taste.
How to Make Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
Step 1: Cook Down the Cherries
Start by combining your frozen pitted cherries, granulated sugar, water, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat while gently mashing the cherries with the back of a spoon as they warm. This releases their juices and softens them perfectly. Keep an eye on the mixture as it thickens slightly – it won’t be syrupy yet, but this simmer begins building your luscious cherry pie syrup.
Step 2: Strain and Flavor the Syrup
Once the cherry mixture has thickened, pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract every drop of that vibrant juice. Discard the pulp; you want a smooth syrup that will blend seamlessly with your iced tea. While the syrup is still warm, stir in lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and, if using, cake batter extract. These additions transform the syrup into a multi-dimensional flavor powerhouse that evokes the sensation of eating a slice of cherry pie.
Step 3: Combine with Black Tea
Allow the syrup to cool fully before mixing it with the cold Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea. Use about four tablespoons of your syrup to two cups of tea—this ratio perfectly balances the sweet and tart cherry essence with the robust tea base. Stir gently to combine all that beautiful cherry flavor with the refreshing iced tea.
Step 4: Serve Over Ice
Pour your freshly made Cherry Pie Iced Tea into glasses filled generously with ice. It’s best enjoyed cold to maintain the crisp, thirst-quenching quality that pairs so wonderfully with the rich cherry and vanilla flavors of the syrup.
How to Serve Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh cherries on top of your iced tea glass instantly amps up the appeal and doubles down on the cherry flavor. A sprig of fresh mint or a thin lemon wheel can also add a pop of color and a hint of herbal brightness, making every sip as fun to look at as it is to enjoy.
Side Dishes
This Cherry Pie Iced Tea pairs beautifully with light, summery snacks. Think freshly baked shortbread cookies, a crisp spinach salad, or even a classic deli sandwich. Its fruity sweetness acts as a fantastic palate cleanser amid savory bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For a whimsical touch, serve the tea in mason jars with striped paper straws or fancy glass tumblers with colorful cocktail picks. You might even freeze some cherries in ice cubes to keep drinks cold without watering them down and to add an extra burst of cherry goodness as the ice melts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover cherry pie syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This way, you have the perfect sweetener ready to mix with tea or soda anytime you crave a quick, delicious cherry-flavored drink.
Freezing
If you want to keep the syrup longer, freezing it in small portions, like ice cube trays, works wonderfully. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag so you can thaw just what you need without waste.
Reheating
When ready to use stored syrup, gently warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop just until it’s pourable. Avoid overheating, as this can change the delicate flavor profile that makes the Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe so delightful.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries work wonderfully, especially when they’re in season. Just pit them and follow the recipe exactly the same for that fresh-picked flavor.
What if I don’t have cake batter extract?
No worries! The cake batter extract is optional and adds a subtle nostalgic note, but your syrup will still taste fantastic without it thanks to the vanilla and butter extracts.
Can I make a larger batch for a party?
Yes, just multiply the ingredient quantities accordingly. Keep your syrup refrigerated and add it to cold tea right before serving to keep things fresh and vibrant.
Is this tea sweetened? Should I add extra sugar?
The cherry pie syrup provides enough sweetness for a nicely balanced drink. However, if you prefer your tea super sweet, feel free to adjust the sugar in the syrup when cooking it down.
What kind of tea works best?
Unsweetened black tea is ideal because its bold flavor complements the fruity syrup. You can experiment with green tea or even herbal teas, but the classic black tea base is what makes this recipe shine.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to brighten your beverage routine with a flavor-packed, nostalgic drink, the Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe is a must-try. Its perfect blend of sweet, tart, and buttery notes wrapped in refreshing iced tea is truly a treat for your taste buds. Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and enjoy the deliciousness that feels like a cherry pie celebration in every sip.
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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
This Cherry Pie Iced Tea recipe offers a deliciously sweet and fruity twist on classic iced tea. Made with homemade cherry syrup infused with vanilla, butter, and cake batter extracts, this refreshing beverage is perfect for warm days or as a charming party drink. The combination of tart cherries and smooth black tea creates a unique flavor reminiscent of cherry pie in a cold, thirst-quenching form.
Ingredients
Cherry Syrup
- 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)
Tea and Garnish
- 2 cups Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea
- 4 tablespoons cherry pie syrup (prepared above)
- Fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Cherry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the frozen pitted cherries, granulated sugar, water, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook and Mash Cherries: Heat the mixture over medium heat, gently mashing the cherries as they begin to break down to release their juices.
- Simmer to Thicken: Continue cooking until the liquid thickens slightly. It doesn’t need to be fully syrupy at this stage as it will thicken further while cooling.
- Strain Syrup: Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the cherries to extract all the juice. Discard the solids left in the strainer.
- Flavor the Syrup: While the syrup is still warm, stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and if using, the cake batter extract. Allow the syrup to cool completely.
- Mix Tea and Syrup: In a glass or pitcher, combine four tablespoons of the cooled cherry pie syrup with two cups of cold Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the cherry pie iced tea over ice and garnish with fresh cherries for an attractive presentation and extra cherry flavor.
Notes
- To adjust sweetness, add more or less sugar to the cherry syrup based on your preference.
- If you cannot find butter or cake batter extract, omit them; the syrup will still be delicious.
- Use fresh cherries for garnish to enhance visual appeal and add a pop of fresh fruit taste.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger batches.
- Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week for convenience.
