JUST-THE-BERRIES STRAWBERRY ICED TEA

By gammy

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES
COOLING/INFUSING TIME: 2 HOURS
SERVES 8-10

Ingredients

• 2 QUARTS + 1 CUP WATER, DIVIDED
• 6-8 TEA BAGS
• 2 POUND FRESH OR FROZEN STRAWBERRIES, PLUS 2 CUPS FOR GARNISH
• 1 CUP PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
• 2-3 LEMONS
• ICE

Preparation

Step 1

BRING 2 QUARTS OF WATER TO A BOIL IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN. ADD TEA BAGS, REMOVE PAN FROM HEAT AND ALLOW TO STEEP 5 MINUTES. DISCARD TEA BAGS AND SET ASIDE TO COOL. IN A SECOND SAUCEPAN, COMBINE FRESH OR FROZEN STRAWBERRIES, BROWN SUGAR AND REMAINING WATER. COOK, STIRRING, OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL SUGAR DISSOLVES. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND SET ASIDE. USE A PEELER TO REMOVE THE ZEST FROM 2 LEMONS AND THEN JUICE BOTH LEMONS. ADD ZEST AND LEMON JUICE TO STRAWBERRY MIXTURE. RETURN PAN TO STOVE ON MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL JUST BOILING, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND LET MIXTURE COOL TO ROOM TEMPERATURE. PUREE' MIXTURE. TRANSFER TO BOWL AND REFRIGERATE 1-1/2 HOURS.
POUR MIXTURE IN PITCHER. ADD REMAINING 2 CUPS STRAWBERRIES, ZEST OR SLICES FROM THIRD LEMON AND ICE. POUR INTO BREWED TEA AND LET INFUSE 30 MINUTES. SERVE OVER ICE IN A GLASS GARNISHED WITH STRAWBERRIES AND LEMON ZEST.