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Southern Iced Tea Recipe

Quench your thirst with this classic Southern Iced Tea recipe! A refreshing staple in Southern households and restaurants, this recipe is passed down through generations. Learn how to make the perfectly brewed, sweet tea your family will crave all summer long. Easy to follow instructions for a deliciously hazy or crystal-clear brew.

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 6 mins
Calories 387 kcal
Protein 0g
Rating 4.7 (6 Reviews)
Southern Iced Tea 22

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Southern Iced Tea

  • 2 quarts (8 cups) cold water
  • 6 Family size black tea bags (or 12 regular tea bags)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)

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How to Make Southern Iced Tea

  1. Place tea bags in a 2-quart glass pitcher.
  2. Slowly pour 2 quarts of boiling water over the tea bags, ensuring all bags are fully submerged.
  3. Steep for 5 minutes. For a stronger brew, steep for 7-8 minutes.
  4. Remove tea bags and gently squeeze them against the side of the pitcher to extract the remaining tea. Discard the tea bags.
  5. Stir in 1 cup of sugar (or to taste). Adjust sweetness according to preference.
  6. Add 2 quarts of cold water to the pitcher.
  7. Stir well to combine tea, sugar and water.
  8. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature. For faster cooling, place the pitcher in a bowl of ice water for 15-20 minutes.
  9. Serve over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.
  10. **For a clearer tea:** Just before serving, add 1/4 cup of boiling water per quart of iced tea and stir gently. This helps to remove any cloudiness.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

0 g

Sugar

399g

Fat

0g

Carbs

33g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation North American 5 Ingredients Or Less Beverages American Southern United States Easy