Description
A refreshing ruby-red iced tea with cherries, lemon, vanilla, and a hint of almond for a cozy cherry pie flavor without added sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups water, divided
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- 1 cup unsweetened cherry juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar-free sweetener
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 cups ice cubes, for serving
- 4 to 6 lemon slices, for garnish
- 8 to 10 whole fresh cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Set out a medium saucepan, heatproof pitcher, fine-mesh strainer, and long spoon.
- In the saucepan, combine 2 cups of water and the pitted cherries. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and the liquid turns red.
- Stir the sugar-free sweetener, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the cherry mixture.
- Meanwhile, bring the remaining 3 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour the brewed tea into the pitcher.
- Strain the cherry mixture into the pitcher, pressing lightly on the fruit to extract the flavorful liquid. Discard the solids.
- Stir in the unsweetened cherry juice until fully combined.
- Let the mixture cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully chilled.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour the chilled tea over the ice, and garnish with lemon slices and whole cherries before serving.
Notes
- Use frozen cherries if fresh cherries are not in season.
- Do not over-steep the tea or it may become bitter.
- Use almond extract sparingly so it stays subtle and pie-like.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and stir before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 22
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 6mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sugar-free cherry pie iced tea, cherry iced tea, low calorie iced tea, no sugar iced tea, cherry tea drink