Absolutely The Best Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

Discover the secret to the BEST Southern sweet tea! This recipe, beloved by everyone who's tried it (so far!), is finally online. Made with a perfect balance of black and optionally green tea, this refreshing beverage is a Southern classic. Learn the history of tea bags and elevate your summer with this incredibly easy-to-make recipe. Get ready for the most delicious sweet tea you'll ever taste!

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 245 mins
Calories 172 kcal
Protein 0g
Rating 4.5 (25 Reviews)
Absolutely The Best Southern Sweet Tea 74

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Absolutely The Best Southern Sweet Tea

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Absolutely The Best Southern Sweet Tea? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Absolutely The Best Southern Sweet Tea

  1. In a large pot, combine 6 cups of water and 8 black tea bags (Lipton or your favorite brand).
  2. If desired, replace 2 of the black tea bags with 2 green tea bags for a unique flavor twist.
  3. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. This slow simmering process will draw out all the wonderful flavor from your tea.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and let the tea steep for another 30 minutes, undisturbed, to allow the flavors to fully meld.
  6. After 30 minutes, remove the tea bags and stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar.
  7. Continue stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  8. Pour the tea into a large pitcher or container and add 4 cups of cold water. This step helps to chill the tea faster and adds to the refreshing nature.
  9. Stir well to combine. For extra intense sweetness add another 1/2 cup of sugar to taste.
  10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving. The longer it chills, the better it tastes!
  11. Serve over ice and enjoy the taste of the best Southern Sweet Tea!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

0 g

Sugar

177g

Fat

0g

Carbs

14g