Savoring Southern Sweet Tea: A Nostalgic Iced Tea Recipe

A Sip of Southern Tradition

There’s nothing quite like gathering on a front porch in the South, sipping sweet tea as the sun sets. Memories of family and friends come rushing back as laughter fills the air. Sweet tea has been a staple of southern hospitality for generations, offering both refreshment and a sense of belonging. This beloved drink perfectly blends black tea, sugar, and a hint of lemon, capturing the essence of warm summer days.

Ready to make your own delightful southern sweet tea? Here’s how you can prepare this irresistible drink:

• Smooth, sweet, and perfectly brewed — this classic Southern Sweet Tea is the ultimate thirst-quencher, best served ice-cold with lemon slices.

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  🕒 Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes

  • Steep Time: 15 minutes

  • Chill Time: 1 hour

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

  • Servings: 8–10 cups

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  🧂 Ingredients

  • 6 cups (1.4 L) water, divided

  • 6–8 black tea bags (such as Luzianne or Lipton)

  • ¾–1 cup (150–200g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste)

  • 4 cups (950ml) cold water

  • Ice cubes, for serving

  • Lemon slices and fresh mint (optional for garnish)

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  🔪 Directions

  1. Boil the Water
     Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

  2. Steep the Tea
     Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes, depending on your preferred strength.

  3. Sweeten the Tea
     Remove tea bags and stir in sugar while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.

  4. Dilute and Chill
     Pour the sweet tea concentrate into a large pitcher and add 4 cups of cold water.
     Stir, then refrigerate until cold — at least 1 hour.

  5. Serve
     Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint for a classic Southern touch.

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  💡 Pro Tips

  • Don’t skip the steeping time — it’s key to deep flavor.

  • Adjust sugar and steep time to your liking (more sugar = sweeter, longer steep = stronger).

  • For a fun twist, add a splash of peach syrup or lemonade.