Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Cherry Pie Iced Tea is the perfect way to enjoy the classic flavors of a cherry pie, without the need for baking. The homemade syrup adds a deep, fruity cherry flavor balanced with a hint of vanilla and butter, reminiscent of a warm pie. Paired with Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea, the result is a refreshing, sweet, and satisfying drink that’s perfect for any time of day. Serve it with fresh cherries for a fun and festive touch!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Homemade Syrup:
- 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon butter extract
- ½ teaspoon cake batter extract (optional)
For the Cherry Pie Iced Tea:
- 2 cups Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea
- 4 tablespoons cherry pie syrup
- Fresh cherries for garnish
Directions
- Make the Cherry Syrup:
In a saucepan, add the frozen cherries, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, mashing the cherries as they soften. Continue to cook until the liquid thickens slightly. The syrup will thicken more as it cools. - Strain the Syrup:
Once the syrup has thickened, strain it through a fine mesh strainer to separate the liquid from the cherry pulp. Press the cherries against the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. - Add Flavoring:
Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and cake batter extract (if using). Set the syrup aside to cool. - Make the Iced Tea:
Stir four tablespoons of the cherry pie syrup into 2 cups of cold Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea. You can adjust the amount of syrup based on your preferred sweetness level. - Serve:
Serve the cherry pie iced tea over ice and garnish with fresh cherries for an added touch of color and flavor.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 2 cups
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Sweetness Adjustment: Add more or less syrup to suit your personal sweetness preference.
- Flavored Tea: Try using flavored teas like vanilla or berry for an extra twist on the classic iced tea flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cinnamon or ginger for a warm spice element that pairs beautifully with the cherry syrup.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover cherry pie syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can be added to iced tea or used in other beverages.
- Reheating: If you prefer your iced tea to be served warm, simply heat the tea and syrup together on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh cherries can be used in place of frozen cherries for the syrup. Just be sure to pit them before cooking.
2. Can I use sweetened tea instead of unsweetened tea?
Yes, you can use sweetened tea, but you may want to adjust the amount of cherry syrup to avoid making the drink too sweet.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cherry syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just mix it with cold tea when ready to serve.
4. Can I make this drink without the extracts?
Yes, if you don’t have butter or cake batter extract, the drink will still taste great without them, though they add an extra layer of flavor.
5. Can I use other types of tea for this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with other teas like green tea, herbal teas, or flavored teas for a unique twist on the recipe.
6. How long will the cherry pie syrup last?
The cherry pie syrup can last up to a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
7. Can I use a different sweetener for the syrup?
Yes, you can substitute granulated sugar with other sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or a sugar alternative, depending on your preference.
8. Can I use bottled caramel or chocolate syrup instead of making my own?
While making your own syrup gives a fresh, homemade flavor, you can use store-bought caramel or chocolate syrup if you’re short on time.
9. Can I adjust the thickness of the syrup?
Yes, you can cook the syrup longer for a thicker consistency or add a little more water if you prefer a thinner syrup.
Conclusion
Cherry Pie Iced Tea is the perfect drink for anyone who loves the combination of sweet and fruity flavors with the refreshing coolness of iced tea. With its homemade cherry pie syrup, this drink delivers the essence of a cherry pie in a glass. Whether you’re serving it at a summer gathering or simply relaxing with a cold beverage, this iced tea will satisfy your cravings for something both sweet and refreshing.
Cherry Pie Iced Tea Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Pie Iced Tea is a sweet and refreshing drink that combines the flavors of cherry pie with the coolness of iced tea. With a homemade cherry syrup, it’s the perfect way to enjoy dessert and tea in one sip.
Ingredients
1 cup frozen pitted cherries (for syrup)
⅓ cup granulated sugar (for syrup)
¼ cup water (for syrup)
Pinch of salt (for syrup)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (for syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for syrup)
1 teaspoon butter extract (for syrup)
½ teaspoon cake batter extract (optional, for syrup)
2 cups Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea (for iced tea)
4 tablespoons cherry pie syrup (for iced tea)
Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine frozen cherries, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, mashing the cherries as they soften. Continue cooking until the liquid thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer, pressing the cherries to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Stir in lemon juice, vanilla extract, butter extract, and cake batter extract (if using). Set the syrup aside to cool.
- Stir 4 tablespoons of the cherry pie syrup into 2 cups of cold Gold Peak Unsweetened Black Tea. Adjust the syrup amount based on your sweetness preference.
- Serve the cherry pie iced tea over ice and garnish with fresh cherries.
Notes
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less cherry syrup.
Experiment with flavored teas like vanilla or berry for a twist on classic iced tea.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger for a spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the cherry syrup.
Use fresh cherries instead of frozen if preferred, ensuring they are pitted before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
