Description
A classic Southern Sweet Tea recipe that delivers a perfectly sweetened, refreshing iced tea with a rich black tea flavor. Made with simple ingredients and easy stovetop preparation, this traditional beverage is ideal for hot summer days or any time you crave a cool, sweet drink.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 8 cups water, divided
- 6 black tea bags (such as Lipton or Luzianne)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
For Serving (Optional)
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Boil Water and Steep Tea: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and immediately add the tea bags. Cover the saucepan and steep the tea bags for 10 to 15 minutes depending on how strong you prefer the tea.
- Remove Tea Bags and Sweeten: Carefully remove the tea bags without squeezing them, to avoid bitterness. Stir in the granulated sugar until it fully dissolves. If desired, add a pinch of baking soda to help reduce any bitterness and smooth out the flavor.
- Dilute Tea Concentrate: Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a large pitcher. Add the remaining 6 cups of cold water to dilute the tea to the right strength. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the sweet tea until well chilled, ideally for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve the tea over ice cubes, garnished with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves if using, for a refreshing presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your taste preference.
- For a lighter or lower-calorie version, substitute granulated sugar with a sugar alternative like stevia or erythritol.
- Sweet tea tastes best when chilled for at least one hour to develop its full flavor profile.
- Do not squeeze the tea bags after steeping to prevent bitterness from releasing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
