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Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

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Southern Sweet Tea Recipe – A Southern Classic made deliciously refreshing and sweet with ease. Sit on the porch with a tall cold glass of the best sweet tea recipe ever and enjoy!

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe - A Southern Classic made deliciously refreshing and sweet with ease. Sit on the porch with a tall cold glass of the best sweet tea recipe ever and enjoy!

SWEET TEA RECIPE

Sad truth: I have probably had way more Southern Sweet Tea in my life than plain water.  I know that sounds crazy but it is a fact. A pitcher of it existed on every supper table through my youth. Whether we were at home in Chicago or visiting family in Mississippi, sweet tea was the beverage of choice (whether I wanted it or not) for almost every meal except breakfast. It still finds its way into my fridge from time to time, especially when the weather warms up.

SOUTHERN SWEET TEA RECIPE

The appeal of a Southern Sweet Tea Recipe is pretty clear: Ice cold tea with heaps of sugar to cut that tea tartness. Whoever invented this was a genius! Most Southerners would like you to believe that there is a real science to
making this beverage but I think that’s just a bunch of hoopla that has been brainwashing folks for years. The reality is it is quite simple to make a good ole fashioned homemade Sweet Tea Recipe. I almost didn’t have a real recipe to share in this post. In fact, the recipe below is more of a guideline than a set recipe to follow to the tee. You can also use this recipe in other recipes I have on the site light my Sweet Tea Fried Chicken.

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

HOW TO MAKE SWEET TEA

With more of a detailed idea of how to create sweet tea, you can pretty much follow your gut (and taste buds) through the process to create a rendition that will satisfy your thirst whenever necessary.

Pitcher of sweet tea with two glasses full of southern sweet tea and ice cubes.

So really you only need like 3 (or 4) things to create this homemade sweet tea recipe:

  • Water
  • Tea bags
  • Sugar and
  • If you want to get fancy, lemon.
  • That’s it.  Why folks make this such a big deal is beyond me.  And some ice, don’t forget how good iced tea can be.

What Tea Brand Should I use for my Homemade Sweet Tea Recipe?

Now for tea bags, the South is pretty loyal to Luzianne but Lipton makes good sweet tea too so grab one of those boxes and get busy.  For sugar content, this is very subjective.  I know folks who love their tea to taste as sweet as candy and then others that like theirs a bit on the bitter side.  Again, all subjective so do what makes sense for you.  Lemon or mint?  That’s more of a new aged thing to some. My big mama certainly would think so but I love adding them to my pitcher because of the additional flavor infused in the tea and how lovely it looks swirly around in my mason jar.

When it is all said and done, making a Southern Sweet Tea Recipe is no sweat, believe me, and it is a very personal thing.  Make it your own and enjoy a big glass for me, okay?

*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!*
5 from 2 votes
Southern Sweet Tea | Grandbaby Cakes
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Southern Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
A Deliciously comforting Southern Sweet Tea Recipe, so easy to make but perfectly refreshing!
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: classic recipe, southern, sweet tea
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 279 kcal
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Ingredients
  • 5 cups water
  • 5-6 tea bags depending on how strong you want your tea
  • 2/3- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar depending on how sweet you want it
  • Optional: lemon and mint
Instructions
  1. Add water to a medium sized pot and boil over high heat.
  2. Once boiling, turn off heat and add tea bags. Steep for 15-25 minutes (depending on strength you prefer).
  3. Stir in sugar until it completely dissolves into the hot tea.
  4. Remove tea bags from pot then pour tea into a large pitcher.
  5. Add enough water to fill the pitcher then add lemon wedges and mint (if you would like for garnish and flavor).
  6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts
Southern Sweet Tea Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279
% Daily Value*
Sodium 11mg0%
Carbohydrates 72g24%
Sugar 72g80%
Calcium 6mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Comments

  1. Marie Czarnecki says

    July 2, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    When I drove long haul and delivering in the South I always had sweet when I stopped at a TRUCK STOP for my dinner, especially “RASPBERRY” OMG…IN HEAVEN.. My regular education was in the Medical Field though.

    Reply

  7. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    May 27, 2015 at 12:19 am

    Sweet tea is the best thing ever!!! I absolutely love it! This looks delicious!

    Reply

  11. Justine | Cooking and Beer says

    May 26, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Do you know I’ve never made sweet tea? I usually buy it … becaauuuuusse I’m lazy. But you’ve inspired me, so I’m definitely trying this pitcher of gorgeousness out! Side Note: These photos are stunning. The end.

    Reply

  15. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    May 26, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Southern sweet tea!!! I love this, J! and beautifully shot!!!! and hey, I believe you when you say you’ve probably had way more Southern Sweet Tea in your life than water. Love it! A true Southerner!

    Reply

  16. Mir says

    May 26, 2015 at 5:45 am

    It’s that time, the time to sit on porches and drink this! Seriously the best summer drink, hands down. I’m glad there’s no special secret, because I’m not a Southerner and therefore have a complex about making authentic sweet tea. Thanks for removing my fear!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      May 26, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Hahaha I know right? It is so simple and yet people make it a big deal. Try it some time my girl!

      Reply

  23. Tonya says

    May 25, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    I’m from Texas and we grew up on Southern Sweet Tea. Grandma wouldn’t have it another other way and Grandpa insisted the key to a Good pitcher of tea was that it had to sit out on the porch in 95 plus temperatures to steep. LOL! It’s a Southern Thang! Thanks for the memories!!! Gulp!

    Reply

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