Name: The Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea: A Classic Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 7 Tea Bags (regular black tea recommended); 1 cup Sugar; 2 cup Boiling Water; 6 cup Water (cold); 1/8 tsp Baking Soda (reduces acidity and bitterness (optional)); Lemon Wedges Or Mint Sprigs (for serving (optional))

The Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea: A Classic Recipe

20 minutes

695 reads

4.89 from 9 votes

American Beverages

About The Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea: A Classic Recipe

Escape the heat with the quintessential taste of Southern Sweet Iced Tea. This refreshing recipe delivers the perfectly balanced sweetness and smooth flavor that whispers of long summer days and cherished memories.

Discover the secrets to brewing authentic Southern Sweet Tea, from dissolving the sugar just so to achieving that ideal iced chill. It's the perfect thirst quencher for backyard barbecues, warm afternoons, or any moment needing a touch of Southern charm.

30-Day Indian Vegetarian Weight Loss Meal Plan

Stop Thinking About What to Cook Every Day

Weight loss, PCOS, and Healthy Eating, all planned out for you. Just follow the plan and cook. From ₹499.

Explore Meal Plans

Recipe Time & More

Prep10

Cook10

Total20

Calories385 kcal

Serves

Served AsBeverages

Recipe TasteSweet

Ingredients

Tea

▢ 7 Tea Bags regular black tea recommended

Sweetener

▢ 1 cup Sugar

Water

▢ 2 cup Boiling Water
▢ 6 cup Water cold

Optional additions

▢ 1/8 tsp Baking Soda reduces acidity and bitterness (optional)
▢ Lemon Wedges Or Mint Sprigs for serving (optional)

Start Focussed Cooking Mode →

Instructions

Gather your ingredients and equipment.
In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat.
Place the tea bags in a heat-proof container (such as a glass bowl or large measuring cup). If using, add a pinch of baking soda. This helps neutralize the tannins in the tea, resulting in a smoother, less bitter brew.
Pour the boiling water over the tea bags. Cover the container and let the tea steep for 15 minutes. This allows the tea to fully infuse the water with flavor.
Remove the tea bags, gently squeezing them against the side of the container to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard the tea bags.
While the tea is still hot, stir in the sugar until it completely dissolves. Dissolving the sugar in hot tea ensures a smooth, evenly sweetened beverage.
Pour the sweetened tea into a large pitcher. Add 6 cups of cold water. Stir to combine.
Refrigerate the tea for at least 4-5 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
Serve the Southern Sweet Tea over ice. Garnish with lemon wedges or mint sprigs, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Good To Know

For a stronger tea, steep for more than 15 minutes, up to an hour or two.
Adjust sweetness by increasing or decreasing the sugar.
Make Arnold Palmers or Swamo water by mixing equal parts lemonade and sweet tea.
Create a sparkling sweet tea cocktail by adding a shot of your favorite liquor to the glass and topping with sweet tea.
Use sweet tea as a marinade for seafood or in baked goods.
Experiment with variations like cherry ginger infused sweet tea or blackberry sweet tea.

Expert Tips

For a smoother, less cloudy sweet tea, use filtered water.
Brewing the tea at a slightly lower temperature can prevent bitterness.
Add a pinch of baking soda to the brewing tea to neutralize tannins and enhance sweetness.