There’s nothing more refreshing than a cold glass of traditional Southern sweet tea.
It’s smooth, perfectly sweet, and just hits different on a hot day.
If you’ve ever had real Southern sweet tea, you know it’s not just tea with sugar—it’s the drink of the South.
This recipe is simple, uses just a few ingredients, and is way better than anything store-bought.
Let’s make a pitcher!
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags (like Lipton or Luzianne)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 more cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices (optional)
Pro Tips
- Use good tea! Luzianne or Lipton are classic choices for that real Southern taste.
- Dissolve the sugar while the tea is hot. This keeps it from being grainy.
- Let it cool before adding ice. This keeps it from getting watered down too fast.
- Want it stronger? Add an extra tea bag!
- Chill it in the fridge. It tastes even better after a few hours.
Tools You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Large glass pitcher
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
- Ice cube tray
Substitutions & Variations
- Less sugar? Start with ½ cup and adjust.
- Sweeter? Go up to 1 cup sugar.
- Honey instead of sugar? Use ½ cup honey for a different sweetness.
- Minty twist? Add fresh mint leaves when serving.
- Peach or berry flavor? Add fresh fruit while it cools!
Make-Ahead Tips
- Brew the tea and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just stir before serving!
How to Make It
Step 1: Boil the Water
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Step 2: Brew the Tea
Remove from heat, add the tea bags, and let steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
Step 3: Sweeten It
Remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar while the tea is still hot, stirring until fully dissolved.
Step 4: Mix & Cool
Pour the sweetened tea into a large pitcher and add 4 cups of cold water. Let cool before refrigerating.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Fill glasses with ice, pour over the sweet tea, and garnish with lemon slices if you like.
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Stir before serving since the sugar might settle.
- Avoid leaving lemon slices in the pitcher—they can make it bitter.
Final Thoughts
That’s it—real Southern sweet tea! Simple, smooth, and perfectly sweet.
Make a batch and let me know how it turns out in the comments.
Got a favorite way to enjoy your tea?
Share it below! 🍋☀️
