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Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

Refreshing and flavorful Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea, made with homemade apricot syrup, strong black tea, and fresh lemon juice. Perfect for a hot day!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup dried apricots, roughly chopped
  • 6 black tea bags
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
  • Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups of water and the granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir the mixture constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. You should no longer see any sugar granules at the bottom of the pan. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the chopped dried apricots to the saucepan.
  4. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the apricots are softened and the syrup has thickened slightly. The apricots should be plump and tender.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the apricot mixture steep for at least 30 minutes. This allows the apricot flavor to fully infuse into the syrup. You can even let it steep for a longer period, up to a few hours, for a more intense apricot flavor. Just make sure it cools down completely.
  6. After steeping, strain the apricot syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-proof bowl or jar. Use a spoon to press down on the apricots to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids (or save them to add to oatmeal or yogurt!). You should have about 2-2.5 cups of apricot syrup.
  7. Let the apricot syrup cool completely before using it in the iced tea. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  8. In a separate saucepan or kettle, bring the remaining 4 cups of water to a boil.
  9. Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add the black tea bags.
  10. Let the tea bags steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Steeping for too long can result in a bitter tea. I usually go for 4 minutes for a good balance.
  11. After steeping, remove the tea bags and discard them.
  12. Let the brewed black tea cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by placing it in the refrigerator.
  13. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled apricot syrup and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
  14. Pour the cooled black tea into the pitcher with the apricot syrup and lemon juice.
  15. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly to ensure that everything is well combined.
  16. Taste the iced tea and adjust the sweetness and tartness to your liking. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s too tart, add a little more apricot syrup or a touch of sugar. Remember, you can always adjust the flavors to suit your personal preference.
  17. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the iced tea for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, to allow the flavors to meld together. Chilling the iced tea also makes it more refreshing. You can chill it for several hours or even overnight.
  18. Fill glasses with ice cubes.
  19. Pour the chilled apricot lemonade iced tea over the ice.
  20. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs, if desired. These garnishes add a touch of elegance and enhance the visual appeal of the drink.
  21. Serve the iced tea immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Fresh Apricots: If you have access to fresh apricots, you can use them instead of dried apricots. Use about 2 cups of chopped fresh apricots and simmer them with the water and sugar until they are soft and the syrup has thickened.
  • Other Fruits: You can add other fruits to the apricot syrup, such as peaches, plums, or nectarines. This will add another layer of flavor to the iced tea.
  • Different Teas: You can experiment with different types of tea, such as green tea, white tea, or herbal tea. Just be sure to adjust the steeping time accordingly.
  • Sparkling Iced Tea: For a sparkling version of this iced tea, top it off with club soda or sparkling water before serving.
  • Spice: For a warm and spicy flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger to the apricot syrup.
  • Cocktail: For an adult version of this iced tea, add a shot of vodka, gin, or rum.
  • Adjust Sweetness: The amount of sugar in the apricot syrup can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet iced tea, reduce the amount of sugar.
  • Large Batch: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make a large batch for a party or gathering.
  • Storage: Leftover iced tea can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

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Find it online: https://homecookmaria.com/apricot-lemonade-iced-tea/