Sweet TeaEasy

Classic Southern Sweet Tea

The real deal — strong black tea brewed hot and sweetened while warm, then poured over ice. No shortcuts, no fancy additions. Just the iconic Southern sweet tea that has been refreshing people for generations.

15 min
Easy
Serves 8
Video preview
Classic Southern Sweet Tea

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring 4 cups of water to a full boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for exactly 5 minutes — no longer, or the tea will turn bitter and cloudy.

  2. 2

    Remove the tea bags without squeezing them (squeezing releases tannins that make the tea bitter).

  3. 3

    While the tea is still hot, add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved. This is the key step — sugar dissolves poorly in cold tea.

  4. 4

    Pour the sweetened hot tea into a large pitcher. Add the cold water and stir.

  5. 5

    Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. Serve over ice with a lemon slice.

Pro tip

The sugar must be dissolved in hot tea — this is non-negotiable for authentic sweet tea. Luzianne is the traditional Southern brand; Lipton works well too. For a gallon batch, use 8 family-size bags and 1 cup of sugar. Sweet tea keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days.

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