Like most southerners sweet iced tea has a special place in my heart. If you drop by my home I can pretty much guarantee you’ll find a cold pitcher of sweet iced tea on the top shelf of the fridge. No other beverage quenches the thirst AND comforts the soul like a cold glass of sweet tea. Nope. None.
For the sake of health I’ve been replacing half of the sugar with raw honey. It’s not as addicting, but I’m starting to get use to it.
This southern sweet iced tea recipe is sweet, refreshing, satisfying and makes you say “ahhhhhhh” when you’re done drinking it. It’s so easy to knock back several glasses full on a hot day without even realizing it.
Watch me make this southern sweet Iced Tea from start to finish!!
The Recipe
Southern Sweet Iced Tea
- 3 family-sized tea bags ( I used Luzianne)
- 10 cups water, divided (can add more to adjust sweetness)
- Pinch of baking soda
- 1 1/2 -2 cups sugar (can use less if desired)
- In a large bowl, heat 2 cups of water in the microwave until boiling (about 10-12 minutes)
- Add a pinch of baking soda.
- Drop in the tea bags.
- Let tea steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully remove tea bags and discard. Do not press on tea bags.
- Add sugar and stir until sugar completely dissolved.
- Pour into a serving pitcher.
- Add in 8 cups of cold water.
- Refrigerate until ice cold.
- Fill a glass with ice and fill with tea.
- Enjoy!
~TIP~
Feel free to cut back on the sugar if you want/need to.
Serve ICE COLD!!
I prefer sweet tea ungarnished, but you can add lemon slice, mint leaves or raspberries i desired.
I grew up in eastern NC so I am a sweet tea lover for sure!!!!!! Even in winter we had to have a glass of tea with supper!!!
I made the recipe and went with the 2 C sugar and it was a tad too sweet which was fixed by diluting with extra water and ice. I love southern cooking so your recipes are right up my alley. Happy holidays to you and your family.
This recipe was great! (The first one that I’ve bothered to write a review for). I added 1 1/2 cups of sugar first, and that was enough for me. I added a little bit of extra water to balance out the sugar, and it turned out DELICIOUS! Thanks for the recipe!
This tea is wonderful, I make it for my family, I just brew it and put the sugar in it and let them put the water in when they get home, I make four gl at a time.
What does the baking soda do? I tried this tea tonight for dinner and it was delicious with my southern green beans and potatoes, and baked chicken legs. Thanks so much!
What flavor tea do you use??
Put the tea bags into the compost for your garden – it mulches up nicely.
Made this for Christmas and my family love it!
I love your site,girl! Found it while searching for BBQ Beef Ribs recipe.Now it’s my regular go to site for amazing good food for my gorgeous Georgian hubby!