Southern Sweet Tea is the perfect elixir of summer. When the temperatures rise, there's nothing more refreshing than a cold glass of sweet iced tea enjoyed on the porch, in the shade, or at the table with friends. This Southern sweet tea recipe is simple, classic, and deeply refreshing.

A glass pitcher and jar filled with sweet tea, lemon slices, ice cubes, and mint leaves sit on a wooden board. A halved lemon and mint garnish are nearby, with a blurred leafy background bathed in sunlight.

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Why I Love Sweet Iced Tea

I've made sweet tea in more ways than I can count, testing different teas, steeping times, and sweetness levels until I found the balance I love best.

The secret is not over-steeping the tea. This recipe keeps the flavor smooth and classic, with just enough sweetness to make it refreshing without becoming heavy. And if you're a sweet tea maker with your own hints and secrets, I would love to hear them.

After recommendations from Southern friends and family - and more pitchers than I can count - this is the sweet tea method I come back to again and again.

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What You Need to Make Southern Sweet Tea

You only need a few simple ingredients for classic sweet iced tea.

Boiling water: Helps steep the tea and dissolve the sugar while the tea is warm.
Tea bags: Use a classic black tea, family-size tea bags, or your favorite iced tea blend.
Sugar: Sweetens the tea while it's still warm, so it dissolves smoothly. Honey can also be used, though it will change the flavor slightly.
Cold water and ice: Dilutes and chills the tea for serving.
Optional add-ins: Lemon slices, mint sprigs, or fresh fruit.

Best Tea for Southern Sweet Tea

Choosing the best tea for Southern sweet tea can be surprisingly personal. After countless pitchers, recommendations from Southern friends and family, and plenty of testing, these are the teas I come back to again and again - from classic grocery-store tea bags to afternoon-tea-worthy loose-leaf options.

Fine Teas (Afternoon Tea-Worthy Options)

These higher-quality black teas can elevate your sweet tea to something truly special-smooth, rich, and full-bodied without bitterness, perfect for a summer afternoon tea.

Assam - Bold and malty, perfect if you like your tea strong and flavorful.
Ceylon (Sri Lankan black tea) - Bright and citrusy, a favorite for a clean-tasting iced tea.
Nilgiri - Smooth with floral notes, and rarely goes bitter when chilled.
Keemun - A more nuanced Chinese black tea with a slight smoky note; best used lightly.
Blended English Breakfast - A robust and balanced option that holds up well to sweetening and chilling.

Tip: When using loose-leaf tea, about 1 teaspoon per cup of water works well. Steep according to type and taste-usually 3 to 5 minutes.

Grocery Store Brands (Tried and True)

These are pantry staples across the South and beyond, beloved for their classic flavor and reliable brewing.

Luzianne - Specifically blended for iced tea, with low bitterness and deep flavor.
Tetley - A smooth, mellow option that brews consistently well.
Lipton - Ubiquitous and widely used; produces a strong, slightly tannic brew.
Red Rose - A favorite with a clean, sweet-tea-ready flavor.
Publix or store-brand black teas - Surprisingly solid options, especially when brewed fresh and sweetened while warm.
Great Value (Walmart) - Highly rated by many Reddit users for value and surprisingly good taste.

Pro tip from Southern kitchens: Always brew with fresh, cold water, and never over-steep-bitterness is the enemy of good sweet tea!

Do You Dunk Your Teabags?

My Alabama-raised childhood friend once reminded me to never, ever squeeze a tea bag after steeping - and she was right. Pressing or squeezing tea bags can release more tannins into the tea, which may make it taste bitter.

For the smoothest sweet tea, let the tea bags steep gently, then lift them out and discard them without squeezing.

A glass pitcher and two jars of sweet tea with lemon slices and mint leaves on a table; fresh lemons and greenery in the background.

Author: Stephanie Wilson

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

A simple Southern Sweet Tea recipe made with brewed black tea, sugar, and cold water for a smooth, refreshing pitcher of classic sweet iced tea. Perfect for summer sipping, porch afternoons, cookouts, and gatherings.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep: 5

Steeping Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: servings

Equipment

64-oz Pitcher

Ingredients

▢ pinch baking soda (Optional to keep the tea clear)
▢ 2 cups boiling water
▢ 4-6 individual size tea bags
▢ ½-3/4 cup granulated sugar or honey
▢ 6 cups cold water

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Instructions

Add a pinch baking soda, tea, and boiling water into o a 64-ounce heatproof glass pitcher. Let steep 10-15 minutes.
Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and discard. Then, stir in the sugar (or honey) until completely dissolved along with the cool water.
Refrigerate until cold. Enjoy over ice and garnish with slices of lemon and mint sprigs if desired.

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Notes

Sweetness: My rule of thumb is about 6 tablespoons of sugar per quart of tea, but you can adjust to taste. For sweeter tea, add a little more while the tea is still warm so it dissolves smoothly.
Pitcher size: I often use a 1 ½-quart pitcher for iced tea, but this recipe can be scaled up or down depending on the size of your pitcher.
Best tea to use: Classic black tea bags work beautifully for Southern sweet tea. Choose an iced tea blend or a black tea you enjoy drinking, since the flavor will come through.
Do not over-steep: Steep the tea until it's flavorful, but avoid letting the tea bags sit too long, which can make the tea bitter.
Do not squeeze the tea bags: Lift them out gently after steeping. Squeezing can release more tannins and may make the tea taste bitter.
Make ahead: Sweet tea can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve. Serve over ice with lemon slices, mint, or fresh fruit if desired.

Nutrition

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Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

More Summer Drinks to Sip and Savor

Whether you're hosting a backyard gathering or just looking for something cool to sip on the porch, these easy homemade drinks are sunshine in a glass. For a fun dessert inspired by this classic Southern drink, you might also enjoy my Sweet Tea Bundt Cake - a tender summer cake with the nostalgic flavor of sweet tea.

Peppermint Lemon Iced Tea - Light, citrusy, and refreshing with a hint of mint.
3-Ingredient Lemonade - A classic summertime essential made simple.
Rosemary Lemonade - A savory, herb-infused twist on traditional lemonade.
Red, White & Blue Non-Alcoholic Sangria - A fruity, festive drink perfect for holidays or garden parties.
Raspberry Peach Iced Tea - Fruity, refreshing, and naturally sweet with summer berry and peach flavor.
Afternoon Tea Recipes Collection - Sips and bites for your next teatime treat.

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