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.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 32kcal
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
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.
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
Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 0.2mg | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.004mg