Southern Sweet Tea (Print Version)

An iconic Southern beverage brewed strong and sweetened just right — best served ice-cold on a hot day.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tea Base

01 - 4 cups water
02 - 6 regular-size black tea bags (e.g., Lipton or Luzianne)
03 - ¾ to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)

→ To Finish

04 - 4 cups cold water
05 - Ice, for serving
06 - Lemon slices (optional)
07 - Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
02 - Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep for 10 minutes.
03 - Remove tea bags without squeezing them. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved while tea is still warm.
04 - Pour sweetened tea into a large pitcher. Add 4 cups of cold water and stir well.
05 - Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled (at least 30 minutes).
06 - Serve over plenty of ice. Garnish with lemon slices or mint if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal effort
  • Creates authentic Southern flavor from just a few simple ingredients
  • Makes a large batch perfect for gatherings or keeping in the fridge
  • Customizable sweetness to suit your preference
02 -
  • Contains no caffeine alternatives so expect the natural boost from black tea
  • Can be made in advance for gatherings saving precious day of preparation time
  • Provides a budget friendly beverage option that serves many for minimal cost
03 -
  • Always brew with filtered water to avoid mineral tastes that can compete with the pure tea flavor
  • Use a wooden spoon for stirring sugar into hot tea as metal can sometimes react with the tea tannins
  • Only make sweet tea in batches you can consume within three days for optimal freshness
Go Back