Raspberry Sweet Tea

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jan 14, 2025

Raspberry sweet tea is perfect for every occasion. The BEST part of this fresh and fruity drink is, I can keep it alcohol-free or turn it into a spiked iced tea depending on my mood. Serve up a pitcher of spiked tea at your next summer party. It’s so easy to make!

a glass of spiked iced raspberry sweet tea - 6

For me, Iced tea is the ultimate summer drink with the flavor of raspberry and a splash of vodka for a fun twist. It’s a perfect sweet tea cocktail with the right amount of sweetness.

I’m sure you will love my fruity iced tea with vodka. Pour in a glass over ice, and enjoy the ideal summer cocktail. I already made one with pineapple, check this Skinny Pineapple Tea on the healthier side.

Strawberry Mojito and Italian Mojito are other two fruity drinks that I make often.

Raspberry Iced Tea – Spiked or Not

Raspberry iced tea is one of my favorite drink for hot days. It’s perfect mix of fruity flavor, sugar, and alcohol. It’s not too sweet, but just right. And the raspberry liquor adds such a nice flavor! With the added twist of vodka you can take it to next level when serving for a crowd!

Making Iced tea is super easy to make with few ingredients. Using my basic formula you can quickly stir a pitcher with any of your favorite fruity flavor. With the twist of alcohol in it you can make spiked tea cocktails any time.

Ingredients

Tea Bags: Either use 2 family-sized or 8 regular-sized tea bags. I prefer Luzianne for iced tea. You control the strength of the tea by changing the steep time. Fifteen minutes is a good amount to let the tea bags soak in the hot water. But if you like really strong (or weaker) tea, you can easily adjust the time accordingly.
Garnish: Mint, raspberries, and orange slices add the perfect final touch.
Sugar: I am using sugar in my cocktail recipe. Suger-free sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit will also work. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter tea, add a little more. You can even skip sugar altogether if you like.
Chambord Liquor: This is a berry-flavored liquor that adds real depth (optional). You can make the fresh fruit syrup to replace the liqueur to add that fruity flavor. Or just add more fresh berries to serve, or while brewing.
Vodka: Use a good-quality vodka for a smoother drink. This raspberry iced tea is so delicious, even without the alcohol. If you want to make a family-friendly version, just skip the vodka and Chambord. This leaves you with perfectly brewed sweet tea.
Baking Soda: You only need a pinch! A pinch of baking soda makes a world of difference in a pitcher of freshly brewed sweet tea. It neutralizes the tannins in black tea, giving it a smoother taste.

Trademark note: In the spirit of transparency, please note that some of these ingredients are trademarked products. Luzianne Tea and Chambord liquor are proprietary brands that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.

a pitcher full of raspberry sweet tea - 7

Tips For Success

Adjust sugar as you like to create to make the perfect sweet tea.
Garnish each glass with fresh raspberries, strawberries, orange slices, or mint leaves.
To make a sugar free spiked iced tea, use any alternatives like stevia or monk fruit.
You can easily double or triple the recipe by brewing more tea bags, then separating the tea into multiple pitchers to make more.
Do Not add ice cubes in the pitcher while storing. It will dilute all the flavors.

How to Store

Make a big pitcher, and keep it in the fridge for 4 days easily. The hotter the days, the faster it goes, in my experience. There is nothing better than sipping my Iced Raspberry spiked tea on those hot summer days.

Serving Suggestions

What excites me about spiked iced tea, is they’re perfect for get togethers, bridal showers, cookouts, or just any gathering with a group of adults. You can serve at any occasion, just keep a pitcher full of iced tea and serve as is OR with ur favorite alcohol. My most loved food to go with them are burgers. Cowboy Burgers or Smash Burgers or Pizza Burgers or Salmon Burgers to name a few.

5-Star Review

“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 8 cups water
▢ 2 family-sized tea bags (or 6 regular-sized) Luzianne recommended
▢ ½-1 cup granulated sugar I prefer the tea not too sweet
▢ ¼ teaspoon baking soda
▢ 1½ cups Chambord liqueur optional
▢ ½ cup good quality vodka optional

Optional Garnishes

▢ Mint springs
▢ Raspberries
▢ Orange slices

Video

Instructions

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then pour it into a pitcher. 8 cups water
Add the tea bags, cover and let steep (soak) for 15 minutes. 2 family-sized tea bags
Remove the tea bags then add the sugar and baking soda. Stir until the sugar dissolves. ½-1 cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Add in Chambord and vodka, if desired. 1½ cups Chambord liqueur, ½ cup good quality vodka
Let the tea cool.
Pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with raspberries and orange slices or fresh mint leaves. Mint springs

Becky’s Tips

Use more tea bags if you want to make a larger batch, then dilute with more water in multiple pitchers.
Add as much or as little sugar as you like to create the perfect sweet tea.
Garnish each glass with fresh raspberries, strawberries, orange slices, or mint leaves.
You can make the sweet tea separate from the liquor and make the spiked part ‘by the glass’. Use 1 cup sweet tea and 3-4 tablespoons Chambord.
Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
To make a sugar free spiked iced tea, use any alternatives like stevia, monk fruit.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Spiked Raspberry Tea Step by Step

Steep the Tea : In a small pan, add 8 cups of water and bring it to boil. Once boiled transfer it to a glass pitcher.

pouring boiling water in a glass pitcher. - 8

To this add 2 family-sized tea bags, cover the pitcher and let them steep (soak) for 15 minutes.

adding tea bags in glass pitcher filled with boiling water. - 9

Add sugar as per taste: After 15 minutes remove the tea bags and add the ½-1 cup of granulated sugar and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

adding sugar after 15 minutes of steeping tea bags. - 10

Add fruit flavor and Alcohol: Once sugar is dissolved your basic sweet iced tea is ready, just chill and serve. To make spiked one add 1½ cups of Chambord liqueur and ½ cup of good quality vodka. Stir well. Now my raspberry iced tea is ready, that is spiked!!

adding vodka in the raspberry sweet tea. - 11

Chill and serve: Let this tea chilled in refrigerator. Garnish with few raspberries, a orange slice, mint sprig and pour the chilled iced tea in a glass.

Pouring spiked raspberry sweet tea in a glass filled with ice cubes. - 12

Doesn’t this drink just scream SUMMER? There’s nothing more refreshing or satisfying than good sweet tea. Or, like I said, the spiked raspberry kind!

a glass of spiked iced raspberry sweet tea - 13

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