Southern Sweet Tea

Classic Southern Sweet Tea is easily made with tea bags, sugar, and water. There is nothing better to quench your thirst than a tall glass of this refreshing summertime treat.

Recipe Origin

Sweet tea is a staple found in most houses in the south. It is served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is served at most restaurants in the south. There is nothing like sitting on the back porch of a summer evening, drinking a tall glass of sweetened iced tea and watching the fireflies.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

This southern sweet tea recipe is easy and delicious. It’s made with simple ingredients- tea bags, sugar, and water. You can have a tall glass of southern tea in just a few minutes. 

This recipe is so simple that I almost didn’t post it. But, I thought some of my readers just might want to indulge in a classic southern beverage. It’s as easy to make as homemade lemonade, limeade, or strawberry lemonade. All of these are guaranteed to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.

What About This Southern Sweet Tea Recipe is Fantastic

Although you can’t do anything about the heat and the humidity in the south, you can enjoy a cold glass of tea. Sweet tea is usually made by the gallon and kept in the refrigerator to chill until ready to enjoy. There is not a time in my life that I don’t remember having sweet tea at a gathering, meal, or holiday. It’s just expected to be served at mealtime all year long.

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients list is simple- tea bags, sugar, and water. 

Tea Bags– There are several good tea brands on the grocery store shelves. I have tried several, and honestly, they were all good. Lipton, Luzianne, and Red Diamond all make a good pitcher of sweet tea to be enjoyed by everyone.

Sugar– I use regular white sugar for my tea. You can use artificial sweeteners if so desired.

Water– Just regular tap water is all I use.

Lemon Wedges– These are optional, but add flavor to your glass of tea. Give the lemon a good squeeze before adding to your tea.

How Much Sugar for Sweet Tea

I use 2 cups of sugar when making a gallon of sweet tea. The great thing about this recipe, you can adjust the sugar as desired. I suggest starting with 1 1/2 cups of sugar and taste testing before adding more. You can always add more sugar but not take it away.

How to Make Sweet Tea

1. To a saucepan, add 4 cups of water and tea bags. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. 
2. Let the tea bags steep for 5 minutes. Slightly squeeze bags to remove all water and tea. Discard bags.
3. To the warm tea/water, add sugar and stir until dissolved.

   4. Pour tea mixture into a gallon pitcher, add water to fill the pitcher, and stir well.

Serve over ice. Add lemon wedges or slices if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

Expert Tips and Variations

• Choose a tea that is made for Iced Tea Brewing. 

• Let the tea steep for at least 5 minutes.

• Make the tea ahead of time and keep it stored in the refrigerator.

• Add ice to glasses before serving.

• Make a simple syrup by adding the sugar to the warm tea. Stir until dissolved before adding to the pitcher. Then fill the pitcher with water.

• There are so many flavors when it comes to tea. Find a flavor you enjoy or experiment with different flavors. I enjoy Peach Tea, Raspberry, and Lemon Iced Tea, but just plain ole tea is my drink.

• Add slices of lemon to each glass.

Storage Tips

Keep the tea in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Tea will keep for 3-5 days. But, honestly, it never lasts that long in my house. 

House Wine Of The South

In the movie Steel Magnolias, Dolly Parton called Southern Sweet Tea the “House Wine of the south.” This is a true statement, and as a southern girl, I grew up making sweet tea for family gatherings and family dinners.

Growing up in a southern family, there was always a pitcher of sweet iced tea in the refrigerator. And on hot summer days, this was the best sweet tea to quench my thirst. Although many folks have never had an iced-tea experience, rest assured you don’t have to be from the deep south to enjoy a glass of homemade sweet tea.

How to Serve Sweet Tea

Everyone you meet has their own way of making a gallon of tea, and all of the ways are correct. However, they will all claim their way is the southern way. When making tea, you need a large container. Some use a plastic or glass pitcher. I have a Tupperware Tea Pitcher I have used for years. Find a container large enough to hold a gallon.

There are also several ways to serve glasses of tea. Some serve tea in a pint sized, or quart sized mason jar. No matter the choice of glass, remember to start with a glass of ice, fill it with tea, and add a slice of lemon. Then, of course, you can’t help but to have a glass of amazing sweet tea.

The Best Tea Bags

Making a gallon jug of the perfect southern sweet tea is quite simple. Tea bags are a personal preference, and there are several good brands to choose from on the grocery shelves. Lipton, Red Diamond, and Luzianne tea bags all make a good pitcher of sweet tea to be enjoyed by everyone. Next, I look for tea bags labeled Orange Pekoe Tea and Pekoe Cut Black Tea-my favorite. But most importantly, look for tea bags labeled for Iced Tea. There are two sizes- choose regular or family size bags.

Recipe FAQs

Sweet Tea goes great with so many foods. It is served at parties, tailgating, picnics, BBQs, and dinner. Some of my favorite dishes are fried green tomatoes, grilled hamburgers, bbq chicken, and pasta salad.

Other Southern Dishes I Should Try:

Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions

Southern Style Squash and Onions

Southern Collard Greens

Southern Crispy Okra

Southern Cabbage and Onions

Southern Fried Pork Chops

Southern Fried Dill Pickles

For another delicious summertime treat, try these Patriotic Popsicles. They are sure to cool you off during the summer.